leaf spring install help please !!

[cebru]

I took the leaf spring on one side of my 70-F100 off the other day to have the bushings replaced. When taking it off there was tension on it, and it flew up in the air. my question is what is the proper way of reinstalling the spring? Thanks for the help!

[FORDification]

Just take the tension off the spring.

Jack the truck up and put some jackstands under the frame, so the rearend can hang down by the springs. Then put a hydraulic jack under the rearend housing and lift it up just enough to remove the load from the springs. It'll probably take a few tries to figure out the proper amount to lift the housing so that you're not allowing the weight of the rearend to pull on the springs, but you're not lifting it enough to start lifting the truck.

[mnagatani]

I unbolted and removed the rear end and found no tension removing the leaf springs afteward. Does anyone know how to remove the bolt thats holding the springs together? Is the bolt head rounded? Thanks

[wt4speed#2]

I unbolted and removed the rear end and found no tension removing the leaf springs afteward. Does anyone know how to remove the bolt thats holding the springs together? Is the bolt head rounded? Thanks

It's called a leaf spring tie bolt really inexpensive just clamp the spring pack and cut it and install new . just my

[ima71 trucks are older]

I unbolted and removed the rear end and found no tension removing the leaf springs afteward. Does anyone know how to remove the bolt thats holding the springs together? Is the bolt head rounded? Thanks

Yes the bolt head is round. Just put the spring pack in a vice or a couple of c-clamps and grind/cut it off. There is a usually a screwdriver slot, but after 20-30-40 years its easier to cut it off.

[FORDification]

The ones I've run across have been just held on with a nut. Remove the nut and drive the bolt out.

[mnagatani]

Awesome! Thanks for the help. I'll have to get some vise grips on it because the bolt really rusty. Thanks!