Why would a front leaf spring do this?

[Skull Leader]

It's from my 81 Blazer I picked up a few weeks ago. Everything was fine when I got it (or so I thought). Upon further inspection I found it had no flywheel cover and the damn leaf split, runs great otherwise. I cannot get it back together, so I removed every nut & bolt related, now the front bolt that holds the spring to the bracket won't budge. I'm assuming it's a 3" lift, cuz there's a 3 inch block in the back. I have no idea what cheap, malfeasant lift kit this is, although I do know a rear shackle flip and 4" front spring replacement is in the works after I can figure out what to do with this. Is there a trick to getting that 1 bolt off?

 

[Jishory]

hit them back to center with a hammer and put some hose clamps around them so they wont spread out again, dont remove your center pin

 

[lectric80]

It is called a hot knife (better known as an oxy-acetylene torch). Aside from that lots of penetrating oil may work, especially if you use a very long piece of pipe for more leverage. Most likely you are going to break the bolt either way.

 

[Avery4jc]

you could just back the u-bolt nuts off a hair (as in drop them from around 90 lbs down to like 30 lbs) then hit them back in place like jishory said, I guess pipe clamps would work but I think you can order the clamps that come on the spring packs from superlift...it'll keep them all aligned, thats whats on my truck up front...

 

[sweetk30]

stock springs with others added to it. this is for the homebrew lift.

then the center pin is wearing out or ready to break. also the ubolts are loose or not tight.

also thay removed the spring clamps that would have prevented the spreading like thay did.

 

[Skull Leader]

I think it might indeed be a homebrew/ghetto lift, as the bushings don't appear to be poly, they look old and worn. Probably stock. I tried hammering the hell out if the bottom spring but it is too curved to squeeze under the other springs. As mentioned, I found Superlift has what's called "bend clips" that hold the springs together. I tried hammering the bolt out from the right side with the nut on the end to prevent damage to the threads, didn't work. Took an electric impact wrench to the other end, didn't work either. I was thinking of getting new front springs but the bolt won't budge.

 

[79k20350]

you could just back the u-bolt nuts off a hair (as in drop them from around 90 lbs down to like 30 lbs) then hit them back in place like jishory said, I guess pipe clamps would work but I think you can order the clamps that come on the spring packs from superlift...it'll keep them all aligned, thats whats on my truck up front...

Ubolts are spec at 130ft lbs and up depeding of size, grade, etc. Dont loosen them, if you do youll have to change them... Thats what torque to yeild is all about

 

[mostwanted]

It looks to me like that the axle isn't "square" with the truck in that pic. Could be just the camera angle tho.

 

[Avery4jc]

Ubolts are spec at 130ft lbs and up depeding of size, grade, etc. Dont loosen them, if you do youll have to change them... Thats what torque to yeild is all about

I think this has been beaten to death on the boards time and time again. I completely agree and I don't re-use u-bolts but many have done so with no problems...
As far as torque goes, well iono about that b/c I searched and asked many people when I was doing my 3/4 ton swap and I got answers all over the board so mine are at 100 lbs/ft. and I have never had any issues...