Questions on Ram broken leaf spring replacement

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Grogan-14 - 12 Jan 2006 18:47 GMT

I have a '95 Ram 2500HD (1-ton suspension package, I believe) with a
broken rear leaf. The truck has 110,000 miles on it and I'm assuming it
could use complete new spring packs, but since I'm moving south soon,
well out of the rust belt, I'd like to put as little money into it as
possible.

Despite the corrosion, I was able to get the u-bolts off without much
difficulty. The broken spring is the third one down, of four, and it's
the one that the clips are attached to. The center bolt that holds the
pack together has a round head on it and I'm having trouble getting any
real torque on it to get it apart. Can I just cut this bolt and buy a new
one from the sping shop that I'd be getting the replacement leaf from??
Also, do I have to cut the clips to get this leaf out, and do they not
need to be there ?

I also did try the nuts holding the shackle on, just to see if they'd
come off, and was able to, but are those threaded rivets instead of
bolts? They didn't seem to want to drive out whatsoever.

Thanks in advance for any help,

Scott

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Tom Lawrence - 12 Jan 2006 23:32 GMT

> the one that the clips are attached to. The center bolt that holds the
> pack together has a round head on it and I'm having trouble getting any
> real torque on it to get it apart. Can I just cut this bolt and buy a new

Yes - but use a pair of C-clamps to hold the spring pack together (one just
on either side of the center bolt) before removing the bolt. Even with no
weight on the pack, the individual leaves are still under some tension.
Crank down good-n-tight on the C-clamps, and you might even take enough
tension off the center bolt to back it off. If not, sure - just cut it and
replace it with a new one.

> I also did try the nuts holding the shackle on, just to see if they'd
> come off, and was able to, but are those threaded rivets instead of
> bolts? They didn't seem to want to drive out whatsoever.

All three bolts that hold the rear springs in place (front, and rear
shackle-to-spring and shackle-to-mount) should be the same - a big Torx
head, and a nut on the other side. The end of the bolt where the nut
threads on should be a hex-shape, allowing you to turn the nut with a big
wrench, and hold the bolt still with a small wrench. They will all come
out, but may be held in place from rust/corrosion. Just whack 'em harder

Are you anywhere near Jersey? I've got a pair of leaf springs from my '99
2500 just sitting and collecting dust. They're cheaper than what the
replacement leaf will cost you (heck, they're cheaper than what the new
center bolt would cost you :)

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jumpinjohntaylor@yahoo.com - 19 Jan 2006 05:00 GMT

Thanks for your help, Tom. I'm doing this out in the driveway and ended
up putting it back together for now. I probably won't get back to it
for a week or so, having so much going on right now. I'm 30 miles north
of Boston, but even with the distance, your offer is tempting. Just how
far down into NJ are you ?? I probably should have left my real email
before. It's j*u*m*p*i*n*j*o*h*n*t*a*y*l*o*r*@yahoo.com, minus the
obvious.

Dana

> > the one that the clips are attached to. The center bolt that holds the
> > pack together has a round head on it and I'm having trouble getting any
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> replacement leaf will cost you (heck, they're cheaper than what the new
> center bolt would cost you :)

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