Help Needed:

[Woodcutter]

I bought an add-a-leaf kit for my truck to help with the rear end sagging under moderate to heavy loads. This is the second time I'll be doing this, as I had help putting AAL's on my GMT-800 several years ago. Everything was going along until I tried to loosen the nut on the center bolt through the spring pack. I already had the u-bolts off and c-clamps in place to keep the leaves compressed. My problem is that I can't keep the center bolt from spinning when attempting to loosen the nut. It's like a carriage bolt but with a round end that fits up through a hole in the spring perch that's welded to the axle. I can't see any way to hold this bolt in position to loosen the nut. Plus, I can't remember whether this was an issue when I did the AAL install before on my '99. Anyone have any suggestions?

[L29er]

ALWAYS replace the center bolt! i consider it a saftey thing, they are inexpensive, plus then you can cut the old one off! good luck...

[Woodcutter]

Bump: Surely there are a few folks around who've done this!

[silverad03]

I've never dealt with a spring bolt like that. I would suggest maybe loosening the c-clamps a little and perhaps the spring tension would hold the bolt in place well enough so you could get the nut off. If that doesn't work, I'd hit the bolt with an air chisel and replace it.

[Woodcutter]

I would suggest maybe loosening the c-clamps a little and perhaps the spring tension would hold the bolt in place well enough so you could get the nut off.

 

Already tried that but with no luck. I think my problem was that I only tried working one side at a time. Today I'll give it another shot by removing the U-bolts on both sides and lowering the rear axle with a floor jack. Thanks for the reply.

[jjrobo]

I have done this several times, and it is easiest to just cut the bolt off. If you can't get it cut off flush, grind/file it down the rest of the way. You need to put longer ones on anyways. They are cheap at any parts store. After you put the new bolts on, cut the end off so that you have a few threads left beyond the nut.

 

You could also try some vice grips on the round end. This may be needed to tighten it down on the reinstall.

 

Good luck