Teach me the ways of the Sawzall

golf4283 · Dec 18, 2003

I read a post a while ago about using a sawsall to cut out the bolts out of the front of the leaf springs. I rented one and am trying to cut it out but getting nowhere fast. Can you guys please help me and give me some advice for a tecqnuique to do this?? thanks

Pakrat · Dec 18, 2003

Hunh, what type of blade are you using? Please don't say it came with the rental or you might as well be trying to cut it with a butter knife.

golf4283 · Dec 18, 2003

I bought some extreme blade or something. I went through 2 quickly as they both got bent. What would you suggest.

electricgreen · Dec 18, 2003

We used a sawzall to cut up what was left of a parts truck. Get the metal cutting blades (the ones we got were called "the torch" and the were Sawzall brand), or forget it. And they do dull out QUICK.

Pakrat · Dec 18, 2003

Yeah, the torch ones aren't bad. Any super heavy duty blade that is carbide or abrasive tipped should work well. Bending blades is do to a poor grip though and likely too long of a blade. Try to keep it as steady as possible, even if you need to stack up some items to rest it and your arm on as opposed to free handing it. Also, try to get the shortest length blade you can and still maintain constant surface contact with each stroke.

It will take some patience, make no mistake, but it should not be as hard a time as you are having.

John Z · Dec 18, 2003

You can also put a little oil on the blade while cutting to reduce friction.

allcarfan · Dec 18, 2003

shoulda rented a plasma cutter...LOL

Just kidding

golf4283 · Dec 18, 2003

This sucks. Im getting nowhere fast!!! I have no more patience for thie sawzall. Does anyone know another method??? its funny cuase the bolt on the other side unscrewed and came out with ease. So we just keep telling ouurselves were halfway done. but this sucks badly. I need help. AHHHHHHH!

67vert · Dec 18, 2003

well you will have better luck cutting your springs into 1x1 pieces than cutting those damn bolts, i blew about 10 blades getting mine off. Easiest way to do it would be with a cutting torch.

golf4283 · Dec 18, 2003

Torch eh??? where would I go to rent one of those??? and by the way we used 7 blades already and arent near halfway on one part of the bolt. So this cutting method is out of the question.

390Fe · Dec 18, 2003

Are you certain you have the metal cutting blade???? I did better than that with a hacksaw blade with one end rapped in tape. (It took 14 blades and a day to get one spring). .....look I was a poor dumb 17 year old at the time... ok

1320stang · Dec 18, 2003

You have to make sure you're only cutting thru the bolt and not thru the steel insert in the bushing, this thing is hardened and that's what it sounds like you're trying to cut.

golf4283 · Dec 18, 2003

nah we're getting through the bolt but its just so arguous and taking forever. I dont even think we will be able to cut the other side of the bolt in order for the spring to drop becuase the spring is pushed so far to the one way.

coolblue65 · Dec 18, 2003

You need an Air Hammer, if you dont have air tools, you may be able to rent a electric hammer. I went through the same thing getting my leafs off....the Air hammer had each bolt out in less the 10 seconds.

golf4283 said:
nah we're getting through the bolt but its just so arguous and taking forever. I dont even think we will be able to cut the other side of the bolt in order for the spring to drop becuase the spring is pushed so far to the one way.

monk302 · Dec 18, 2003

Golf, getting those bolts out is one of the biggest pain in the butts ever, but you know that as well as I do at this point. Unless you wanna sit under there for a couple hours at a time which turn into days and many profanities churning from your mouth go and buy a MAPP torch. It burns hotter than a propane torch but looks almost the same. I am almost positive they sell them at Home Depot/Lowes. Now from this point you will sit there and heat the bolt up. Now watch here, first the rubber is going to catch on fire and it burns really well. Have a fire extinguiser handy. Second the actual bolt that goes through the spring actually has a cylinder that houses it. This cylinder is even harder than the bolt to cut through. So back to the point, heat up the entire assembly and then have a big hammer and something to drive that bolt through the cylinder and through the frame. Obviously you will have taken off the nut at the other end to do this. Eventually after hitting it enough and using rage as a second wind you will have driven the bolt through.

This is my advice, by no means is this a simple job, but it made my experience much easier. I had used the sawzall first but only got through one side of one bolt which actually made it harder to cut the other one since it was leaning against the side that was still attached. I think you can pick up one of the MAPP torches for less than $30. Any questions just let me know. Good luck!!

66P51GT · Dec 19, 2003

Here is an alternative...

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/...cial/spring.htm

bgs66 · Dec 19, 2003

sawzall should do the job for you. make sure you get a carbide blade, $6 at home depot. i tried a metal blade first with no luck, it bent too. then tried the carbide blade and was done in 5 minutes. make sure you are on the bolt and not the sleeve. you could try to grind the head of the bolt down and drive it out that way. good luck

1320stang · Dec 19, 2003

golf4283 said:
nah we're getting through the bolt but its just so arguous and taking forever. I dont even think we will be able to cut the other side of the bolt in order for the spring to drop becuase the spring is pushed so far to the one way.

Well, get the short blades and if the sawzall has a dial to controll the speed, turn it down. New blades and a slow speed will cut faster than trying to go all out. Spray some WD40 on there to lubricate and cool the blade. It shouldn't be that hard to cut thru at all.

I cut thru half of mine, then rotate the bolt a half turn and cut the other side. Sometimes this is a pain in the butt and you need a breakover and cheater pipe, but something will give. Also, make sure the suspension is fully unloaded, but the tires are touching the ground so that there is no weight on the bolts.

Larry

1320stang · Dec 19, 2003

66P51GT said:
Here is an alternative...

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/...cial/spring.htm

Link no workie.

66P51GT · Dec 19, 2003

Sorry 'bout that

Try this one: Here is an alternative solution

Teach me the ways of the Sawzall

golf4283

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Pakrat

golf4283

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electricgreen

Pakrat

John Z

allcarfan

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golf4283

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67vert

golf4283

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390Fe

1320stang

golf4283

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coolblue65

monk302

66P51GT

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bgs66

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1320stang

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66P51GT

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