*** Quick question about downey leafs, working in progress!!***
#1
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*** Quick question about downey leafs, working in progress!!***
Kk so im imnstalling my leafs, im still on the first one, got the old one out starting to put the new bushings in.. then i read the instructions and it says this
Note: Downeyt springs prior to 1989 include lower shipping plates which must be removed. These are essentially spacer blocks used to keep the centering bolts tight(during shipping) unitl your orgiginal lower load carrying leafs are transferred onto the dowey springs.
okay so, i want to see what its gonna be like after a month or to before putting one of my old leafs on right? so what do i do? leave that plate in? do i have to put that other leaf in? do i take it out and install it normally?
Thanks guys
Note: Downeyt springs prior to 1989 include lower shipping plates which must be removed. These are essentially spacer blocks used to keep the centering bolts tight(during shipping) unitl your orgiginal lower load carrying leafs are transferred onto the dowey springs.
okay so, i want to see what its gonna be like after a month or to before putting one of my old leafs on right? so what do i do? leave that plate in? do i have to put that other leaf in? do i take it out and install it normally?
Thanks guys
#2
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the 'load carrying leaf' from your old springs is that flat spring on the old pack in your last picture.
If you put it in now, and never put enough weight in the back to cause the downey packs to flatten out against that leaf, their springs will settle anyways.
If you put it in now, and never put enough weight in the back to cause the downey packs to flatten out against that leaf, their springs will settle anyways.
#3
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I'd put it in now. The springs are going to settle to wherever they're going to no matter what. But, I'm the kind of person that will not re-use u-bolts and the nuts so taking it apart later to put the load-leaf in would cost me another 30-40 bucks for a new set of u-bolts.
#4
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GRRRRRRRRR
the stupid last bolt on the last leaf spring on the front hanger wont come out..
i got the nut/washer out.. but the bolt wont budge.. what should i do?
i just heated that sucker up good and sparyed it with pb blaster...
ah this is making me mad
the stupid last bolt on the last leaf spring on the front hanger wont come out..
i got the nut/washer out.. but the bolt wont budge.. what should i do?
i just heated that sucker up good and sparyed it with pb blaster...
ah this is making me mad
#6
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I took a quick look at Downey's site and it doesn't definitively say to re use the load carrying leaf. It says you "can" easily transfer them. I don't really remember when I did mine if the instructions specifically said to use them, but I'm guessing they must have because I did. I'm going to suggest you use them from the get go because I never had any trouble with mine and I recall all the negative write ups I've read about Downey springs were from folks that didn't use the load carrier.
In regards to the bolt, I don't really have anything new or earth shattering for you. Sounds like you're trying all the right things already. Just keep plugging away. And let me guess. Gas tank side?
In regards to the bolt, I don't really have anything new or earth shattering for you. Sounds like you're trying all the right things already. Just keep plugging away. And let me guess. Gas tank side?
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#8
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ah no the gas take side was easy!!
everything was going so good, what was left of my bushings.. fell out haha and yeah. Now im stumped with this one, werid thing is the nut/bolt came off it so im thinking just to bash it from the other side?
everything was going so good, what was left of my bushings.. fell out haha and yeah. Now im stumped with this one, werid thing is the nut/bolt came off it so im thinking just to bash it from the other side?
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#15
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yoo!
i know, i dont go on msn anymore duude.
k so back to square one, nothing but now it spins....
how common is this bolt? anyone know the size? im thinking of just taking the sawzall to it..
i know, i dont go on msn anymore duude.
k so back to square one, nothing but now it spins....
how common is this bolt? anyone know the size? im thinking of just taking the sawzall to it..
#16
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Well you can get greasables from Downey, Marlin, or Trail Gear. Not sure about OEM replacements. Seems like for our age trucks, the dealer always has to order out.
http://www.downeyoff-road.com/Suspen...yurethane.html
http://www.trail-gear.com/shackles.html
http://www.marlincrawler.com/hardwar...-shackle-bolts
I forget if it's the 120 or 150, but since you got one out you can measure.
http://www.downeyoff-road.com/Suspen...yurethane.html
http://www.trail-gear.com/shackles.html
http://www.marlincrawler.com/hardwar...-shackle-bolts
I forget if it's the 120 or 150, but since you got one out you can measure.
Last edited by BLKNBLU; 01-16-2009 at 09:29 PM.
#17
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The instructions on mine said to install the load leaf from the old springs.
If I had it to do over again I would have made a couple of extra custom leafs from the old springs to add to the Downeys and used longer center bolts and u bolts.
I think adding extra springs would eliminate the need for the overload and maybe give a little extra lift.
Robb
If I had it to do over again I would have made a couple of extra custom leafs from the old springs to add to the Downeys and used longer center bolts and u bolts.
I think adding extra springs would eliminate the need for the overload and maybe give a little extra lift.
Robb
#19
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Got a air hammer with a flat head ? Its used to cut off body panels. I have one an simply put a hammer head on it and let it do its job
http://www.irtools.com/IS/category.aspx-en-2817
The hammerhead is not shown in the pic. Very handy tool.
http://www.irtools.com/IS/category.aspx-en-2817
The hammerhead is not shown in the pic. Very handy tool.
Last edited by Shawn6string; 01-17-2009 at 06:48 AM.
#20
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dude i wish. my theory is that the bushing has sized onto it, not letting it slide out. Only thing i can think of is to keep turning it until i can do it by hand without my breaker bar and go from the bolt side and hit it out..