How to Install Leaf Springs on a 1997 Dodge Dakota

Removing the Leaf Springs

1). Park your Dakota pickup truck on level ground.
2). Loosen the lug nuts on both rear wheel assemblies using a lug wrench.
3). Lift the rear of the vehicle using a floor jack and place a jack stand on each side of the vehicle under the frame rail crossmember.
4). Remove both rear wheel assemblies.
5). Support the axle near the leaf spring you want to replace first with the floor jack to release the weight.
6). Unscrew the four retaining nuts from both U-bolts holding the leaf spring to the axle using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket. Remove the nuts, U-bolts and spring plate under the U-bolts and lay them aside.
7). Unfasten the nut and bolt from the front end of the leaf spring. Use a back-up wrench to hold the bolt in place as you unscrew the retaining nut with a ratchet and socket.
8). Unfasten the nut and bolt from the rear end of the leaf spring holding the shackle to the rear frame of the vehicle. Use a back-up wrench to hold the bolt in place as you unscrew the retaining nut with a ratchet and socket.
9). Remove the leaf spring from the vehicle.
10

Unfasten the nut and bolt from the rear end of the leaf spring shackle. Use a back-up wrench to hold the bolt in place as you unscrew the retaining nut with a ratchet and socket. Remove the shackle from the leaf spring.

1). Attach the shackle to the rear of the new leaf spring. Secure the bolt and retaining nut finger-tight.
2). Place the new leaf spring in position under the rear axle. If the new spring has a dowel or guide bolt, make sure it is aligned with the hole in the pad under the rear axle.
3). Attach the front end of the lead spring to the frame. Install the retaining nut and bolt finger-tight.
4). Attach the shackle on the rear end of the leaf spring to the frame. Install the retaining nut and bolt finger-tight.
5). Install the nuts, U-bolts and spring plate under the U-bolts to secure the leaf spring to the rear axle. Tighten the retaining nuts using the ratchet, ratchet extension and socket and torque the retaining nuts to 100 foot-lbs. (149 Nm) using a torque wrench.
6). Remove the floor jack from under the rear axle.
7). Replace the other leaf spring beginning at Step 5 from the previous section through Step 6 of this section.
8). Mount both rear wheel assemblies and tighten the lug nuts.
9). Place a portable ramp under each of the rear wheels and lower your truck so the springs support the weight of the truck.
10

Tighten the front- and rear-mounting bolts on the leaf spring using the back-up wrench, ratchet and socket. Torque the mounting bolts to 120 foot-lbs. (163 Nm) using the torque wrench.
11

Remove the portable ramps and lower the vehicle using the floor jack, and finish tightening the lug nuts.