Removal

REMOVAL

1. Raise vehicle on frame-contact hoist as follows:
a. Position the hoist arm supporting the corner of the vehicle to be serviced against a block of wood placed on the body sill as shown (Figure 1).
b. Position the remaining hoist arms at each corner of the vehicle in the normal fashion.
c. Raise the vehicle to a comfortable working level.




Figure 1 LIFTING POINT AND SPRING MOUNT






2. Position an under-hoist utility jack or transmission jack under rear axle toward the side needing bushing replacement. Jack pad should just contact axle.
3. Remove shock absorber lower mounting bolt.

NOTE: If shock absorber bolt deflects upward during removal, raise axle by adjusting support jack. If shock absorber bolt deflects downward during removal, lower axle by adjusting support jack (or by pulling on axle).

4. Remove four bolts securing leaf spring front mounting bracket to the body (Figure 1).
5. Using jack, slowly lower rear axle, permitting the forward end of rear spring to hang down. Lower it enough to allow access to spring pivot bolt. It may be necessary to place a wooden block between the spring and vehicle to hold forward end of the spring in place.
6. Remove leaf spring forward pivot bolt, then remove mounting bracket.
7. Straighten the retainer tabs on the bushing (Figure 2).




Figure 2 STRAIGHTENED RETAINING TABS






8. Place Remover/Installer, Special Tool 8459 on leaf spring and bushing as shown (Figure 3) and tighten Set Screw securing Remover Plate to tool threaded shaft.




Figure 3 Tool 8459 Mounted For Bushing Removal






9. Tighten nut (Figure 3), removing bushing from spring eye.
10. Remove the tool from spring, then remove bushing from tool.