Talked to a mechanic today. I would've really screwed things up if I took that plate totally off. ***U-bolts need to be replaced one at a time (!)*** He says that the spring pressure is enormous. He told me to just put it back together. "Do not under any circumstances remove the plate!" He said it's next to impossible to get it back together. I also learned there was never a nut under that leaf spring center pin. And he showed me that the shock will compress even more than it is in its compressed state. (I think gas shocks compress more than hydraulic shocks). So I didn't have to take anything else apart. I got the rig safely upon 4 jack stands (6 ton each...that was plenty...it was rock solid) and 1 bottle jack. Lowered it down onto the 2 wheels (same axle) and the jack stands. Had to get a wide plank cut to put under the jack stands as I'm on gravel. Raised up the front jacks as well. Got three shocks installed. The nub sticking out on the top of the leaf spring pin didn't move when lifted the rig up.
Now I just have to get that one corner of the suspension back together. And there is no nut on that center pin under the plate. Not supposed to be. Nothing fell off. A neighbor suggested I put a bottle jack under the brake drum and lift up there in order to get the leaf spring back in position....?
U-bolts....one at a time....one...at a time. That's the key. Leave the other one tight, do the other...tighten that, do the first one. Back off all of them just a *bit* then tighten in a cross pattern. To 100 (how do you say it) -- torque on the wrench.
