How to Remove the Leaf Springs on a 80 F-150

The 1980 Ford F-150 1/2-ton pickup used a solid rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs and hydraulic shock absorbers. The springs are mounted on top of the axle in a spring-over-axle arrangement. The axle has pads or perches with indexing holes in them. The springs have a bolt that fits into the hole. U-bolts and spring plates hold the springs on the axle. The springs bolt to the frame at the front and rear.

Instructions

Removal

1

Block the front wheels with wheel chocks. Raise the rear of the F-150 by the frame with jack until the weight is off the springs with the tires still on the ground. Support with jack stands on the frame.

2

Remove the nuts from the U-bolts above the springs with a ratchet and socket. Remove the spring plates and U-bolts.

3

Remove the nut from the front spring mount with a wrench, ratchet and socket. Remove the nut from the rear of the spring at the shackle with a wrench, ratchet and socket. Remove the nut from the shackle at the frame with a wrench, ratchet and socket. Springs are heavy get an assistant to help you finish removing them and tell him to hold the front of the spring. Tap out the front bolt with a hammer and punch. Move to the rear of the spring and tap out the shackle bolts. Remove the spring from the shackle. Remove the spring and shackle.

Installation

4

Mount the shackle on the spring. Install the bolt and nut hand-tight. The head of the bolt faces outward. Mount the front of the spring in the bracket. Install the bolt and nut hand-tight. Mount the rear shackle in the bracket and install the bolt and nut hand-tight.

5

Mount the spring on top of the axle with the bolt in the center of the spring fitted in the hole in the spring pad. Attach the U-bolts, spring plate and nuts hand-tight. Raise the F-150, remove the jack stands and lower it to the axle. Use a torque wrench and socket to torque the U-bolt nuts to between 45 and 70 foot-pounds for 1/2-inch bolts and 85 and 115 foot-pounds for 9/16-inch bolts.

6

Torque the front spring nut to between 75 and 105 foot-pounds for 9/16-inch bolts and 150 and 190 foot-pounds for 5/8-inch bolts. Torque both shackle bolts to between 75 and 105 foot-pounds.