Rear Leaf Srping Bracket Rusted

[db_builder]

The rear Hanger/Bracket for the leaf springs in my 97 have rusted through and now the springs are resting against the bed for support. As this is causing the springs to push up through the sheet metal of the bed (amongst a myriad of other problems), I need to get this fixed.

It looks like the brackets are riveted on, so would it be easier to drill them out and try to find new ones somewhere, or is there a lift kit that normally works around the existing bracket without using it out there that I can use to replace the factory rear suspension? I'm trying to look for kits now, but without as much luck as I'd like.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mjonesjr]

grind the rivits off and then punch them out. Then use Grade 8 bolts to put the new one on.

You can get all 4 spring hangers and the 2 shackles for around a hundred bucks from the dealer.

 

[zebz21]

same thing happened to me. Ended up buying a new set of rear and front brackets for around $170 on ebay. It was a pain in the ass to do. I wouldn't bother drilling them, grind the rivet heads off and they should pop out with a punch. Good luck.

 

[Insanejughead]

Find a junker ranger or mazda that the hangars and shackles aren't rusted out on.

I had the exact same thing happen to my ranger. It was sitting level because of it and it took me about a month to figure out why I had holes in my bed. Once I fixed the hangars, my ranger sat three inches higher in the back.

 

[kengle]

This just happened to my 96 Ranger yesterday. I had a hole in one side of my bed and did not know why then i went to get new tires yesterday and when they put the truck on the lift the weight of the tires ripped the other side off because it was so rusted. Hope you have better luck

 

[db_builder]

I just got the new brackets from the dealership parts department. I thought they were going to have to order them since it's an older truck but without even looking he said "Yep I got them. Service goes through about 60 sets a week."

I guess it's a pretty common problem.

 

[colinrmitchell]

Very common problem, I've heard.

Happened to me. I just got two new ones from the dealer for, I think, $25 each. The bolts in the shackles were a bitch to get out, they were pretty well siezed to the bushing sleeves. The rivets came right off with a grinder and a punch. The job was MUCH easier when I took the bed off, it might be worth it for you.

 

[racsan]

full-size has the same problems. dad's '77 & '94 F250's did it, and my '93 ranger is getting close to needing replaced. i see alot of rangers driving around that look low in the back, some one side only and i bet they have the spring hanger cancer issue too.
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