95 F-150 4X4. Noticed a noise in rear end. One bracket broken and two look bad. I've put alot of work in the truck and seems to be in good mechanical shape (167000 miles). Are these brackets available from dealer? Cost? Is this a job for a mechanic, body shop, or backyard mechanic? Thanks

 

Leaf spring brackets are available from the dealer, also from LMC Truck. I've done them on my truck and would say its a job that can be done by the backyard mechanic. All that has to be done is to jack up the back of your truck just enough to get the weight off the spring, then drill out the 4 rivets holding the bracket to the frame, unbolt the leaf spring from the bracket, then install the new bracket with grade 8 bolts, and bolt the leaf spring back up.

 

the brackets are also available as a kit from most auto part stores....comes with the bracket, hanger and bolts...I suggest getting grade 8 bolt of the right size at a hardware store though...

50.00 per side is what I paid for mine at advanced auto....

 

if you got a torch grind the rivets flush with the bracket and then heat them up cherry read and just pound them out.. i helped my friend do his but now i will have to do mine.

 

Wouldn't just grinding the heads off and pounding out the rivet suffice? I'm thinking that heating them till they're "cherry red" may be a non needed step, plus heating them makes them expand in the hole, you don't want that. That would make them even harder to get out....

I have an air chisel, I just chiseled off the heads and put my punch attachment on and hammered em' out that way, no heat, no grinding, easy peasy...

 

actualy i meant to heat up around it and puch it out. you could use and air chissel but my friend didnt have one so i guess thats why he did it that way. the only reason i would heat it up is so you can puch it out easier by hand. cause with it being rusted and stuff, well you know how that goes.

 

I got lazy and didn't feel like laying on the cold ground in Michigan, so i decided to take it to a local garage. Leaf spring hangers and 2 fuel tanks (noticed leaks while under truck) for $1600.00 convinced me to repair her myself. I've always done most of my own work and didn't realize the cost. Thanks

 

Holy crap! Those must be solid gold tanks.

 

no kidding!