Rear Leaf Spring Replacement

Removal Procedure





1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Support the rear axle independently in order to relieve the tension on the leaf springs.
3. Disconnect the Real Time Damping (RTD)sensors (25 series utilities if equipped). Refer to Rear Position Sensor Replacement - Electronic Suspension - Left (15 Series) or Rear Position Sensor Replacement - Electronic Suspension - Left (25 Series) or Rear Position Sensor Replacement -Electronic Suspension - Right (25 Series) or Rear Position Sensor Replacement - Electronic Suspension - Right (15 Series) in Real Time Damping.
4. Remove the trailer hitch if equipped. Refer to Trailer Hitch Replacement in Frame and Underbody.
5. Remove the fuel tank for left side applications. Refer to Fuel Tank Replacement (Pickup) or Fuel Tank Replacement (Utility with Single Tank) or Fuel Tank Replacement (Utility with Dual Tanks - Front Tank) or Fuel Tank Replacement (Utility with Dual Tanks - Pear Tank) in Engine Control-4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L, or Fuel Tank Replacement in Powertrain Management
6. Remove the U-bolt nuts.
7. Remove the U-bolts.
8. Remove the spring spacer.
9. Remove the anchor plate.





10. Remove the shackle to the frame bracket nut and the bolt.





11. Remove the front spring bracket bolt.
12. Remove the leaf spring assembly from the vehicle.





13. Remove the shackle from the spring.


Installation Procedure





1. Loosely assemble the spring shackle bracket to the frame.
2. Install the shackle bolt.
3. Install the shackle nut.





4. Install the leaf spring assembly to the vehicle.
5. Loosely assemble the spring to the front hanger bracket.
6. Install the front spring hanger bracket bolt.
7. Install the front spring hanger bracket nut.





8. Install the shackle to the spring bolt.
9. Install the shackle to the spring nut.





Important: Do not reuse the U-bolts.

10. Install the spring spacer.
11. Install the U-bolts.
12. Install the anchor plate.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

13. Install the U-bolt nuts.
- Tighten the U-bolt nuts to 80 Nm (59 ft. lbs.) (14 mm / 0.55 inch bolts).
- Tighten the U-bolt nuts to 120 Nm (89 ft. lbs.) (16 mm / 0.63 inch bolts).
- Tighten the front hanger bracket nut to 125 Nm (92 ft. lbs.).
- Tighten the shackle to the frame nut to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
- Tighten the shackle to the spring nut to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
14. Install the fuel tank for left side applications. Refer to Fuel Tank Replacement (Pickup) or Fuel Tank Replacement (Utility with Single Tank) or Fuel Tank Replacement (Utility with Dual Tanks - Front Tank) or Fuel Tank Replacement (Utility with Dual Tanks -Rear Tank) in Engine Control-4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L, or Fuel Tank Replacement in Powertrain Management.
15. Install the trailer hitch if equipped. Refer to Trailer Hitch Replacement in Frame and Underbody.
16. Connect the RTD sensors (25 series utilities if equipped). Refer to Rear Position Sensor Replacement - Electronic Suspension - Left (15 Series) or Rear Position Sensor Replacement -Electronic Suspension - Left (25 Series) or Rear Position Sensor Replacement - Electronic Suspension - Right (25 Series) or Rear Position Sensor Replacement - Electronic Suspension -Right (15 Series) in Real Time Damping.
17. Remove the rear axle support.
18. Remove the safety stands.
19. Lower the vehicle.