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6128 hits | 80.07 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
With the 5 bolts removed from each side, you can separate the blocker beam and facia from the front bumper. The rusty bracket will still be keeping everything held together due to the long studs that are binding against the stud holes.
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5840 hits | 78.21 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
Lift the blocker beam bracket out of the holes in the blocker beam.
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5517 hits | 80.63 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
The coast is finally clear to remove the leaf spring. You can use your 3-lb hammer to knock it out of the spring hangers. The leaf spring is somewhat heavy and awkward. I found that rotating it like this in the picture and fishing it out provided the...
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5782 hits | 72.03 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
New leaf spring (left) and old leaf spring (right).
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5761 hits | 69.43 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
New leaf spring (bottom) and old leaf spring (top). There doesn't appear to be a significant difference when compared side-by-side (other than the fresh coat of paint). However, the old leaf springs have 175,000+ miles on them and are fatigued. The n...
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5470 hits | 74.17 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
The shackle won't initially line up with the leaf spring. No problem, proceed to the next step.
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5490 hits | 77.84 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
Jack the front axle back up with your floor jack. Hopefully the stud in the new leaf spring will align with the notch on the leaf spring perch. If not, you may need a second set of hands to raise/lower the jack while you use your body to lean into th...
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5417 hits | 79.8 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
Reinstall the bump-stop/u-bolt plate. The notch in the bump-stop lines up with the nut on top of the leaf spring.
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5727 hits | 76.08 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
Reinsert the eye bolt in the front of the leaf spring first (save the rear bolt for the next step for easier installation). The front spring mount is stationary while the rear spring shackle does pivot -- thus making it easier to install the rear eye...
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5441 hits | 69.34 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
Reinsert the rear bolt and tighten.

[b]Tools Needed:[/b]
24mm socket (nut)
21mm socket (bolt head)
1/2" ratchet or breaker bar
1/2" impact wrench
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5304 hits | 80.14 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
Reinstall the u-bolts and tighten with the new nuts (discard the old nuts). Hand-tighten at first, ensuring each nut is threaded evenly, then tighten with a breaker bar.

[b]Tools Needed:[/b]
21mm deep socket (nuts)
1/2" breaker bar or impact wre...
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5225 hits | 72.63 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
Re-attach shock with lower shock bolt.

[b]Tools Needed:[/b]
21mm socket (for bolt)
15mm socket (for nut)
1/2" ratchet
1/2" impact wrench
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5449 hits | 50.71 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
Fortunately for us, this bracket is simple to remove with a 3/8" ratchet and an 8mm socket. It's somewhat hidden behind the rubber radiator support strap -- just hold it aside with one hand while you use your ratchet on the bolt. Fish the bracket out...
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5737 hits | 71.42 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
The completed install! There's actually room for spring travel again.

[b]Conclusion[/b]
This project was painfully drawn-out as I struggled with seized bolts and identifying the most efficient way to disassemble and reassemble. Once finished and ...
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5439 hits | 67.18 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
I also wanted to show this bolt from the driver's side angle as well. You may run into the issue where the front driveshaft interferes with the bolt. Simply jack the floor jack up to create enough room for the bolt to clear the top of the driveshaft.
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5492 hits | 77.52 KB | Posted: 1/21/07
[i]Sorry to switch angles -- this is from the driver's side, but it still applies to the passenger side leaf spring, too.[/i]

Using a c-clamp makes easy work of the task of lining the eye-bolt hole with the shackle.

[b]Tools Needed:[/b]
c-clam...
(Posted in: V-Code Leaf Spring Installation)

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5396 hits | 70 KB | Posted: 1/25/07
I had a lot of play in the front passenger-side wheel and it was due to the bearing in the hub assembly being worn out. The swap is very straight forward. All components are easy to access and remove in your own garage.

[b]Parts Needed[/b]
(1) Ne...
(Posted in: Dana 50 Front Hub/Bearing Replacement)

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4087 hits | 80.47 KB | Posted: 1/25/07
The old hub assembly. Notice the 4 studs (threaded on each end). The studs feed through the holes in the steering knuckle and have 4 bolts to fasten the hub assembly to the knuckle. Tighten 2 nuts on the same end in order to remove these studs.
(Posted in: Dana 50 Front Hub/Bearing Replacement)

P1250004.JPG
4553 hits | 78.97 KB | Posted: 1/25/07
Brand new Dana 50 hub assembly. Front axle bearings in the Dana 50 are non-serviceable, so when the bearing fails, you have to purchase the entire assembly. This is Ford part # F81Z-1104-BH and is for Dana 50's with front ABS (hence the included ABS ...
(Posted in: Dana 50 Front Hub/Bearing Replacement)

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4576 hits | 94.34 KB | Posted: 1/25/07
Notice the yellow o-ring (Part # F81Z-4A322-AA ) and how it is shredded. Do not expect to be able to re-use this o-ring. Plan ahead and pick on up at your dealer (it's less than a $5 part).
(Posted in: Dana 50 Front Hub/Bearing Replacement)

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3906 hits | 77.46 KB | Posted: 1/25/07
(Posted in: Dana 50 Front Hub/Bearing Replacement)

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3992 hits | 73.47 KB | Posted: 1/25/07
Same hub assembly without the plastic plug.
(Posted in: Dana 50 Front Hub/Bearing Replacement)

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4928 hits | 72.68 KB | Posted: 1/25/07
Close-up of the front passenger knuckle with wheel, caliper, hub assembly, and brake dust shield removed.
(Posted in: Dana 50 Front Hub/Bearing Replacement)

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4726 hits | 70.85 KB | Posted: 1/25/07
The entire hub assembly swap will take 60-90 minutes and is very straight-forward.

[b]Remove the retaining/c-clip from the hub[/b]
http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/media/431287

[b]Remove the hub from the dana 50 front axle[/b]
htt...
(Posted in: Dana 50 Front Hub/Bearing Replacement)

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1749 hits | 81.15 KB | Posted: 7/29/07
(Posted in: Quadzilla Xzillaraider)

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1767 hits | 85.98 KB | Posted: 7/29/07
(Posted in: Quadzilla Xzillaraider)

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1731 hits | 75.65 KB | Posted: 7/29/07
(Posted in: Quadzilla Xzillaraider)

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1714 hits | 99.64 KB | Posted: 7/29/07
(Posted in: Quadzilla Xzillaraider)

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1626 hits | 62.87 KB | Posted: 7/29/07
(Posted in: Quadzilla Xzillaraider)

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1762 hits | 73.02 KB | Posted: 7/29/07
(Posted in: Quadzilla Xzillaraider)

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1811 hits | 83.41 KB | Posted: 7/29/07
(Posted in: Quadzilla Xzillaraider)

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1647 hits | 56.22 KB | Posted: 7/29/07
(Posted in: Quadzilla Xzillaraider)

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1736 hits | 73.96 KB | Posted: 7/29/07
(Posted in: Quadzilla Xzillaraider)

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1722 hits | 72.98 KB | Posted: 7/29/07
(Posted in: Quadzilla Xzillaraider)

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1777 hits | 76.74 KB | Posted: 7/29/07
(Posted in: Quadzilla Xzillaraider)

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1886 hits | 93.73 KB | Posted: 7/29/07
(Posted in: Quadzilla Xzillaraider)

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1775 hits | 77.57 KB | Posted: 7/29/07
(Posted in: Quadzilla Xzillaraider)

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1854 hits | 76.58 KB | Posted: 7/29/07
(Posted in: Quadzilla Xzillaraider)

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1838 hits | 98.52 KB | Posted: 10/7/07
Played in a softball tournament this past weekend and a foul ball hit the bottom right-hand corner of the liftgate window. A hole the size of a softball was left in the glass. The 2 hour drive home made the glass slowly fall apart. The glass was hel...
(Posted in: Shattered Liftgate Glass)

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1715 hits | 68.53 KB | Posted: 10/7/07
Most of the glass removed easily thanks to being stuck to the window tint.
(Posted in: Shattered Liftgate Glass)

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1754 hits | 87.91 KB | Posted: 10/7/07
(Posted in: Shattered Liftgate Glass)

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1705 hits | 90.12 KB | Posted: 10/7/07
The ball went through the window on the bottom right-hand corner. Not sure if the defroster connector is damaged or not.
(Posted in: Shattered Liftgate Glass)

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1678 hits | 87.29 KB | Posted: 10/7/07
(Posted in: Shattered Liftgate Glass)

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2075 hits | 82.48 KB | Posted: 10/7/07
(Posted in: Shattered Liftgate Glass)

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2471 hits | 47.72 KB | Posted: 12/28/07
Driving through a winter storm in Iowa.
(Posted in: December 2007)