Broken airbag bolts stuck in front drive axle leaf spring

Discussion in 'Peterbilt Forum' started by Gwedo85, Sep 23, 2020.

  1. Gwedo85

    Gwedo85 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 23, 2020
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    Have two broken off bolts that secure airbag support to leaf springs on the front drive axle on a Peterbilt 379, been told to heat the bolts but not the leaf spring, problem is bolts are broke off inside the leaf spring so there's nothing to really heat without heating the leaf spring up as well. Tried a punch and hammer as well as an air hammer with a punch and no luck at all. Just wondering if there's maybe something I'm not thinking of that may work. Any input would be appreciated. Unfortunately the truck needs to roll and replacing the leaf spring is not an option at this point lol
     
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  3. Snailexpress

    Snailexpress Road Train Member

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    WD-40
     
  4. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    Can you jack up the truck frame to relieve pressure on spring. That might take the tension off spring and make it easier to get the bolt out.
    A picture would help see what you need.
    Good luck.
     
    Dino soar Thanks this.
  5. Gwedo85

    Gwedo85 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 23, 2020
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    Here is pic of the bolts
     

    Attached Files:

  6. Gwedo85

    Gwedo85 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 23, 2020
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    Here is what I'm having issues with they are broke off in the leaf spring. Have the frame jacked and axle dropped and am lined up with the bolts pretty decent, just that they are being stubborn and am running out of ideas
     

    Attached Files:

  7. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Does it have a head/nut that you can spin with a impact?
     
  8. Gwedo85

    Gwedo85 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 23, 2020
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    No nut or head basically broke off flush with the leaf spring. Broke the heads off trying to heat it up some and try to work them loose.
     
  9. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    I'm not sure how Peterbilt secures that to the spring but it looks like if you put some heat on the one side you can get the part that the airbag actually is on and get it away from the spring.

    If there's enough room maybe you could weld a nut on whatever is left of the stud and then put heat around the stud to break the rust loose.

    Where the stud and the spring meet I would put the heat toward the stud. That should not bother your spring. Just don't try to heat the whole spring around the stud.

    I would not be afraid to get that stud pretty much red hot but like I said just heat the stud because that should break the rust up and you should be able to get it out.

    Especially if you have enough room to heat it from the top side and the bottom side.
     
  10. 6wheeler

    6wheeler Road Train Member

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    If you can drive it to a welding shop it might cost $30 to cut it out with a gas torch. Dump the airbags before the torch cutting. Might be a good investment to buy a small gas cutting torch. $300. I use mine every repair that I do on heavy, old, rusty and large bolts and nuts
     
  11. Gwedo85

    Gwedo85 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 23, 2020
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    I have an oxy-accetylene torch only problem is I'm worried about the flame heating the spring up too much, I got one of two out just now using a small map gas torch I have I heated it up from the bottom side which still heated the spring up but am I wrong in thinking that I'm safer doing it this way? Just worried about weakening the leaf spring considerably with using heat. I know heat has always been my friend with rust however lol
     
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