1976 Chevy k20 LWB rear leaf spring removal question

[76K20Project]

I have been searching for days, even went and picked up a repair manual. I am installing 4 inch lift leaf springs all around on my truck to accommodate the larger wheels and tires I go a killer deal on. For the rear leaf springs my shackle bolts came apart no problem, moved to the front leaf spring mount and lo and behold the bolt just spins. I figured no big deal just grab the nut with a wrench or a socket and find out GM decided to encapsulate the whole back side of this spring mount. Question is, for anyone that has run into this, do I hole saw through to gain access or should I cut and drill the rivets to open it up and bolt the pieces back together? I will post a picture in a few minutes. Thank you for any information as to how you guys have done this.

 

[76K20Project]

Here are a few pictures, this is the front mount of the rear leaf spring.

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[roundhouse]

There’s a slot on the back of the hanger to get a wrench down in it

It’s full of mud and dirt

 

[76K20Project]

I didn't think a wrench would fit in that slot, guess I will check it out the next time I am under there. Thank you

 

[76K20Project]

and that is why I still ask questions sometimes, I managed to break up the mud and rocks that were in there and once all the debris was gone I didn't even have to access it through the slot as I could access the nut from the top. I had reached in and checked that spot and took pictures and the mud was so hard packed in there that I thought it was steel at least until I poked it with a screwdriver. Thank you

 

[Craig 85]

When I did my lift on my K5 back in the early 90's I made this because I couldn't get a full size wrench in there.

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[76K20Project]

When I did my lift on my K5 back in the early 90's I made this because I couldn't get a full size wrench in there.

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Thank you for the info, I will be tackling this tomorrow.

 

[76K20Project]

Thank you for the information. I got it done, a couple hours a day for a few days but I got it done, even installed the new front springs and 4 inch steering arm. Here are a few pictures. So she is pretty much ready to drive, now I am planning on installing the Jeep XJ intermediate steering shaft I picked up a while back to tighten up the steering and hopefully soon I can tackle some body work and paint!

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[76K20Project]

The wheels and tires I picked up a while back. Falken Rocky Mountain 325/65-18 tires on Helo HE791 wheels. Looks like someone spray painted them black but I can't complain, full set of 4 wheels and tires plus 2 Nitto Terra Grappler 35's for $125.00 came off of a Dodge Ram diesel. From what I can tell the chrome under the black paint still looks shiny and clean so I am going to strip the paint and polish the wheels back out and go from there.

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