[kchamb1206]

I have a 2001 1500 and just broke the left rear leaf spring (up near rear hanger, not in the middle). I'm wondering if I should replace the right while I'm at it. Is it usually recommended to replace them in pairs?

Ken

 

[RamTech]

Yeah, you should. The right spring has 11 year of wear and tear on it and won't have the same spring rate as a new one. It will likely cause the truck to sit lower on that side as well.

 

[kchamb1206]

2001 Ram 1500 Broken Sprink

I got the springs. Took the nut off the front hanger. Now I'm stumped. Do I remove the bolt using the hex hex head on the bolt to turn it out? It feels like there is a nut welded onto the frame on the other end.

Ken

 

[GTyankee]

It has been quite awhile since i changed leaf springs, but, i put my truck on jack stands & blocks
then i undid the U bolts holding the rear end to the springs, letting the tires sit on the ground
the springs were then free hanging & i pulled them out easily, while they were out, i took them to a spring shop & had them re arc them & then they replaced the bad springs & used new spring clamps to put it all together. I took them back home & after finally rehanging them, i lowered the truck back down to the rear differential & used new U bolts to buckle it back up
I used a degree level to make sure the angle between the transmission & rear differential were set at specs

it was a chore, but, interesting

 

[kchamb1206]

To answer my own question, the bolt is just the same as the ones on the rear hanger; it needs to be pushed through the spring bushing until the spring can be pulled out. The bad news is the gas tank is right behind it and I can't imagine that one can balance a 100 lbs of spring and somehow wiggle that bolt back through the new bushing. It looks like I may have to drop the gas tank. Has anyone managed to wiggle the bolt back through the bushing and not have to remove the gas tank in order to access it? The rear shackle bolts were fun too. Had to drop the trailer hitch because it prevented the bolts from backing out far enough to release the rear of the spring. On top of that I'm working outside on the ground and it rains every couple of hours. I'm starting to doubt if the satisfaction of doing it myself is going to pay off on this job.
Ken

[I got the springs. Took the nut off the front hanger. Now I'm stumped. Do I remove the bolt using the hex hex head on the bolt to turn it out? It feels like there is a nut welded onto the frame on the other end.]