96_12V

Well, what an interesting find. I came back for a week's vacation to notice my truck sitting quite un-level in my garage. Off by about 1.5" side to side, to be precise. Curiousity got the better of me, and I'm glad it did before i drove anywhere...I looked underneith and found a broken leaf-spring shackle on the driver's side!

So...who's ever changed these? My friend looked at it with me and commented it's going to be a tough one due to the spacing up there, the plate that holds the bracket to the frame is riveted, not bolted... and the spring is now resting on the bottom side of the bed. Any idea as to cost of parts, etc? This is new territory for me. Looks as if rust was an issue here.

Here's a shot of the carnage...really glad I wasn't driving it....

Dinner

Shackles are cheap, I would recommend replacing both!

I R&R'd mine last winter and it didn't take long at all, I didn't even have to use torch! It looks like you have room between the frame rail and the box floor to be able to remove the upper bolt. The bottom bolt is just as easy, loosen and remove.

Basically I left the truck sitting with the leaf pack like yours is now. Got a impact and johnson bar (I believe the Bolt head is Torx IIFC), loosened the nut a little bit and then used the johnson bar to move the bolt back and forth. Once that, I took the nut off completely and brought the bolt out above the frame using a hammer and punch. (I didn't have to remove my spare tire or anything like that, so hopefully you shouldn't either!).

Next I moved to the lower bolt, and did the same thing. Held the bolt with the johnson bar, loosened the nut a bit, removed nut and then removed bolt. For installation, install new shackle in correct side and position. Run a new bolt (or use old if you would like) into the top of the shackle and leaf spring (going above the frame rail like you did when you removed the bolt). Hand tighten and leave it at that for the top one. Now take a jack and jack up the frame of the truck (if you have a trailer hitch, this works perfect). Jack up the frame until the leaf and shackle are in the correct position to install the lower bolt through the hanger and shackle. Once threw, hand tighten and then set the truck on the ground. Now you can go ahead and tighten the bolts when the truck is on the ground.

Remember to anti seize the new bolts and nuts! I think that covers everything, if you have more questions feel free to ask!

Pics:

dozer12216

Excellent, Dinner.

96_12V

Excellent help, Dinner. I'll probably be doing this this weekend, I'll order parts tomorrow & hardware, and yes, my friend and I plan to do both, since the other one is likley on the way as well. We may even R & R the shocks in the rear at the same time. The photos really provide insight.

Buzz'nhalfdozen

ya my buddies let go as we were driving down the road the other day. sounded like a bomb went off under the truck. Next day we got the parts from dodge (had to go to 3 dealerships to get everything) we started at noon and were drinking beer by 6:00. dodge said that the 2nd gens a known for this problem so if the roads are salted where you live be sure to check em' out

TIMMY22

It's interesting how there is a cutout in the spring hanger, yet no cutout in the frame to pass the new bolt through.

Mine were changed this past summer.

If you don't use the factory bolts and nuts ($50 for all 4). Make sure you use grade 8 bolts.

kawi600

Mine were really rotted but I caught them before they popped. Pretty cheap to get the shackles and bolts from dodge. Just make sure you pack everything good with anti-seize or moly paste grease so the next poor slob can get them off without a hacksaw.

Dinner

I used Grade 5 or 8, I can't remember which to be honest. We have a big selection of bolts, nuts, whatever at work and I just grabbed bolts and nuts,lol.

I got my shackles through my work (Brother to Napa) so they were fairly cheap. Make sure you measure your leaf width just incase they ask you the width..2 1/2" or 3".

Good luck!!

96_12V

Yep, thanks for the help. I went ahead and let the dealer have at it, they only were going to charge me two hours of labor to do both sides! And there's just way too many things going on right now, I could use the time. So I think we tackle the shocks when I get it back....parts are on order now.

Thanks again...