Saving an Impossible to Remove Bolt on Dodge Dakota Rear Leaf Spring

Some days we find just the stupidest designs that these companies expect us to work on.
Sometimes we have to remove bolts near gas tanks are that are in the stupidest places. Come follow along as we try to figure out how we remove a bolt in either the smartest or dumbest way possible.
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[@kevindavis6042]

Another brilliant idea from our genius engineers

[@dougbourdo2589]

Job got done efficiently and with no degradation to the vehicle. Well done.

[@deeallen1742]

I love you two!! This is exactly how I just did my truck.

[@denjhill]

Clearly, this is what happens when you assign a simple task like designing a spring mount to an intern. No supervision.

[@johnmarshall6706]

Well you just need the $500.00 dollar special tool from Dodge (I'm laughing, but been there on other cars in my history) Great work ,found you guys a few weeks ago and have enjoyed every one of your tutorials.

[@simcoespring]

Right on!, can't wait to fine some more time this fall and get some more videos made.

[@TheOldBreed1969]

Great video guys thank you. Have to replace the bushings and ran up against this design marvel. Good thinking outside the box

[@simcoespring]

I was just winging it hoping I didn't have to remove the crusty bolts on the gas tank straps.

[@ryanmills1533]

So probably a stupid question the mount that's welded to the frame mine is rusted out the frame is good I just can't find a replacement bracket do u know we're i can get one

[@georgeescaped6035]

rare earth magnet on the end of a small wooden stick

[@elext9q]

2nd gen ram is very similar, bolt hits the tank. I used a reciprocating saw to cut the bolt.

[@johng8967]

I end up cutting the bolt out. Have the new bolt going the opposite direction with the nut inside. There's room on top of the mount where you can fit your hand and a wrench.

[@curtisroberts9137]

Dodge Dakota's and jeeps seem like pretty cool vehicles until you have to work on the damn thing. Some of the nonsense they came up with is just plain ridiculous.

[@Noneyabuzines]

Heat the outside ear up and bend it up so you can remove the spring put the new spring in with a screw driver on the bolt head and bend the ear back down. I did this work for many years.

[@v1antbo]

Or do it the way he did.

[@2023TMc]

Nope I doubt it
String will break pulling bolt back?

[@freetoride003]

i just bend the out side support and bend back into place using a torch to keep it from weakening the stock curve on the mount. takes minutes and sometimes hrs less to get it done. if your a lazy cut corner jackbag hack.

[@garyjarvis2730]

Not elegant, but certainly works without losing any functionality. Thanks for sharing the video.

[@ASEWorldClassTech]

I'd just move the gas tank over enough to get my hand beside it. I've had to do that before when fixing a brake line.

[@jonmccormick8683]

That hydraulic lift is going to get you killed. Replace it with a new one or get it fixed.
Your videos are good on replacing rusty suspension components.
I have 2 bolts on a 1998 Ford Expedition upper trailing arm (rear) that are stuck to the bushing. I am using your tips on heating it and using an impact hammer = hopefully it will work this weekend or when I get to them again. May try a ball joint C clamp on it also.
Keep on going and I hope more watch and especially subscribe.

[@simcoespring]

my 36 year old Blackhawk 2.5 ton air jack. It leaks air all the time. It has a bunch of safety catches in it. I have a new one....it leaks all the time too. I rebuild them every year....they still leak. which is why I rely in the safety catches.

[@djmips]

@@simcoespring plus you must have a hard skull... cause I know you've been beaned by it once or twice. 😁😁

[@williammcdorman6426]

Not lazy, correcting stupid.

[@dennissmith8199]

Sure it'll work, I've done that before, but I used really fine wire.

[@simcoespring]

Something to think about next time.

[@shelferd3219]

Heat the ear on the bracket and bend it out of the way

[@TyBrice]

Not a damn chance

[@danlabelle6210]

Magnetic rod

[@kennblair9358]

drop gas tank maybe

[@chucktaylor4958]

All designs should be made for ease of repair or replacement.

[@petejones4090]

But Chuck, then how would those engineers sleep at night know they made a mechanics life easier? lol

[@JacobEcret]

ill just lower my tank

[@jeffreykreft5442]

Ok, so not watching the whole video yet, was going to guess the string would break, which it did, all you would have to do is push the bolt back as far as possible, bend the strap just enough to get the spring out, then put new spring in and pull the bolt back with a magnet on a stick. Next time give me something harder. Do this shit for a living, NOT spring service mind you, I am the guy they call at work when they have problems like this, and I come up with solutions, exactly what AVE does for a living. Good day!

[@djmips]

Don't worry they did it.