Technical F100 Leaf Springs

When removing leafs from a spring group, or pack What is the best way to remove leafs if there is one.

On my 1959 F100, I am putting in 4 degree shims, I have 6 leafs up front, the top 3 are in a bundle which includes the main one that bolts to the shackels. The bottom 3 are loose singles,

It seems the lengths are in progression,

 

The shortest are the stiffest, use a c clamp in the center where the bolt is, remove the bolt holding the leaves together, undo the clamp slowly, its easy.

 

If you're just installing the shims, you don't need to break the spring pack apart, just loosen or remove the u-bolts and slip the shim into place on the axle pad, and line up the centering pin while you tighten the u-bolts.