Frame spring eye hangers... Threaded?

[Christopher]

I'm swapping out the springs on my beloved 1977 CJ5 . I've started at the rear, and have the u~bolts cut, the shackles loose, and have the nuts off the hangers on the front of the spring eyes. I figured that the bolt would tap out, but no such luck. I can laboriously turn them, although they twist back quite a way after I stop, I'm sure they are sort of seized to the eye bushings. I don't want to switch to the 12# hammer until I'm sure they do tap out. So I figured I'd have a coffee, and as you guys and gals if the hanger is threaded, or if I need more wheaties for breakfast.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Torxhead]

Sounds like some rusted up spring shackle bolts. Try getting some pb blaster on them from the backside and see if you can get a wrench in there for starters. There is a nut welded on the inside as I recall.

 

[mtnwhlr]

When I did mine I had the same problem, the bolt is rusted in the metal sleeve. What I ended up doing was take a torch and a BFH to drive them out. Good luck they can be a real .

 

[dschwab]

Same thing happened to my 75 when I pulled the original springs. I used the bigger hammer technique and ended up bending the hangars on the frame and had to replace them. A little heat may have helped me out.

 

[Christopher]

Ok thanks. I'll try some heat, and the BFH. I remember on my old LandRover I burned some out once, what a smell!

Thanks again!

 

[mriplaybass]

Same problem with both our 79 CJ7 , and the 59 CJ5 . Used
Deep Creep, which is pretty much the same as PB Blaster, but it won't ignite when you put a torch to it. Kept on squirting it on the bolts for several days (just a few hours is not enough because of the metal sleeve having a shock absorbing effect when you hit it or put the impact gun on it.) After a few days of patient soaking, only one bolt on the CJ7 needed the smoke wrench.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Time for that extra bowl of Wheaties and a BFH.
LG

 

[GatorBate]

I cut mine out with a sawzall.

 

[Hedgehog]

I like the Saws-all approach. If you can get an electric or air impact wrench. Along with chemicals, put the power to them, while tapping or down right pounding on the bolt.

 

[gr8dain]

I resorted to the sawzall as well when I did mine a few years ago.

 

[Woolyworm]

MAPP gas torch will burn the bushings out - agreed that they can be a real PITA.


Wooly

 

[Christopher]

All apart now. Ended up using a grinder with a zip disk. It was a bit of a smoke show. I'm off to get some 9/16" grade eight bolts for the spring eyes, and some flat stock to make some new shackles. And then time to reassemble!

 

[Hedgehog]

You sure you want 9/16" bolts? Mine are 7/16", but your CJ is newer and the bolts might be bigger.

 

[Christopher]

I think so. I had bought 1/2", and the new sleeves have 1/16" play. It was at that point that I actually measured the old bolts.... Should have done that first! Hahaha

Hedgehog, we will actually be down in your neck of the woods around april 1. We are heading from Victoria here, to death valley, and then to Chandler to visit my folks. It will be the longest CJ road trip I've done so far!