I thought I was ready….

A930Rocket · 07:20 PM

I’m replacing the leaf springs on my 2014 F150 and thought I had everything to do it with the long weekend. The springs arrived today and I took a look under the truck just to double check everything.

Rut roh….

The bolt for the front of the spring on the driver side goes in from the inside, and the gas tank blocks it. A quick search and everybody cuts the bolt off and reinstalls a new one from the outside.

I don’t have a new M18 x 150 bolt and I’m not sure I can find one tomorrow or Saturday locally. And I have 3/4 of a tank of gas, so lowering it will be awkward.

Soooo…. My options are, do a quick search around town for one, see if I can manipulate the gas tank to get the old bolt out or cut it and order a new bolt.

Thanks, Ford.

Steve Carlton · 07-03-2025, 04:02 PM

Just cut it with a blowtorch.

A930Rocket · 07-03-2025, 04:04 PM

Cutting it off is not a problem, it’s finding a bolt to put it back together this weekend.

An M18 is close to 3/4, and I’m wondering if that will work temporarily…

pwd72s · 07-03-2025, 04:09 PM

Do you live near a truck stop with a service area? Might find a bolt there...

Steve Carlton · 07-03-2025, 04:09 PM

Amazon?

Magyar Kiwi · 07-03-2025, 04:16 PM

Hi
You are probably a victim of Robot assembly !
The extra long factory bolt with nut guide can only fit that way.
Cheers

porsche930dude · porsche930dude's Garage

I would just use whatever will fit till you can get the right one. Did my tahoe springs and had the same problem but we were able to bend the hanger enough to get it done.

dad911 · 07-03-2025, 04:30 PM

Got a welder? You could cut the head off to get it out, weld on a plate or heavy washer, and put it in from the other side.

A930Rocket · 05:05 PM

Good thoughts. Whatever I do, I will use the passenger side bolt on the driver side. This will give me a lot more working room on the passenger side to do whatever I end up doing. Swapping a bolt on this side will take minutes (famous last words!).

I do have a welder, even if it gets me something temporary.

BTW, that’s not gas running down the side of the tank. I had smell it to make sure. We had a huge thunderstorm come through and somehow rain water is running down the side of the tank.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

One long board and a floor jack and I'd lower the tank. Or on my 2 post, 1 long board and my lift table. Doesn't SC have a Tractor Supply with Metric bolts?

911 Rod · 911 Rod's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Cutting it off is not a problem, it’s finding a bolt to put it back together this weekend.

An M18 is close to 3/4, and I’m wondering if that will work temporarily…

This is what I would do.

Baz · Baz's Garage

If you add this to your thread title it would be an improvement for the greater good of the forum:

"to replace the leaf springs on my 2014 F150"

Thanks!

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Just cut it with a blowtorch.

Capital idea! Make sure to film this.

speeder · speeder's Garage

I’m surprised that it needs new leaf springs, what do you haul with it? My ‘99 F-250 has its original leaf springs F/R and they have not sagged yet. Coincidentally, I just had the fuel tank out this past week for some maintenance and to do a mod on it.

A930Rocket · 07-04-2025, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

This is what I would do.

I went to two Lowe’s and a hardware store. Found 3/4” but not 6” long. Only 4”. Too short.

I bought a 5/8” x 6” until a new factory bolt comes in next Wednesday.

A930Rocket · 07-04-2025, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baz

If you add this to your thread title it would be an improvement for the greater good of the forum:

"to replace the leaf springs on my 2014 F150"

Thanks!

It won’t let me change it this late.

Next time!

A930Rocket · 07-04-2025, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speeder

I’m surprised that it needs new leaf springs, what do you haul with it? My ‘99 F-250 has its original leaf springs F/R and they have not sagged yet. Coincidentally, I just had the fuel tank out this past week for some maintenance and to do a mod on it.

Something just feels off in the rear. I’ve changed shocks but it feels like it bottoms out over small bumps, when I’m traveling at 60-70. I probably have ~175 lbs of stuff in the bed and ~100 lbs of tools on the rear floorboard. So, I thought I’d change the springs to see if it made and difference. I also changed shocks.

I’ll take it for a spin tomorrow and see how it drives. The big test will be Monday, when I drive a couple hundred miles.

A930Rocket · 07-04-2025, 07:32 PM

Took about 6 hours in the sun today. 🤪🥵

FOG · 07-04-2025, 10:58 PM

A930,

Did you check with your local Ford dealer? I know it's normal for the Ford techs to cut off bolt head and replace it when doing warranty work vice following the manual recommended way of dropping the tank and all that involves. Costs the customer less to pay for a couple of bolts vice a couple of hours of labor on customer pay jobs. The local Ford dealer keeps the bolts in stock and they are open this Saturday.

S/F, FOG

flatbutt · 07-05-2025, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Took about 6 hours in the sun today. 🤪🥵

I've never dealt with anything next to a fuel tank. I'm sure the answer is "NO" but isn't there any chance of damage to the tank?

I had a similar issue with my big blue trike when I tried to replace the rear shocks. The top bolt was inaccessible due to the way the body is fitted. I had to remove the entire trunk assembly or rather PAY someone to do that.