Issues install RE leaf springs

[coldoath]

In the middle of installing my new leaf springs for my 3.5 RE lift. So I have drilled out the hole in the middle of the spring perch so that the new springs will sit down in there like they are supposed to. However when I have the leaf springs sitting on the perch I lack at least an inch from the holes lining up for the frame mount. I can connect the shackle just fine, but if I wanted to connect the frame side bolt I would have to scoot the entire leaf spring forward, which would then creates the problem of the leaf springs not sitting down in the perch like they are supposed to.

Any of you guys have this problem or know if I am doing something wrong? If you are just totally confused I can run and take some pics and try to clear things up.

Thanks!!!!

p.s. - Still working on find new ubolts...O'reilly's visit today.

 

[2001XJ]

In the middle of installing my new leaf springs for my 3.5 RE lift. So I have drilled out the hole in the middle of the spring perch so that the new springs will sit down in there like they are supposed to. However when I have the leaf springs sitting on the perch I lack at least an inch from the holes lining up for the frame mount. I can connect the shackle just fine, but if I wanted to connect the frame side bolt I would have to scoot the entire leaf spring forward, which would then creates the problem of the leaf springs not sitting down in the perch like they are supposed to.

Any of you guys have this problem or know if I am doing something wrong? If you are just totally confused I can run and take some pics and try to clear things up.

Thanks!!!!

p.s. - Still working on find new ubolts...O'reilly's visit today.

I had a similar issue. I attached the shackle end first of each spring (like you have done). Then I moved the axle so that the spring on each side was seated where it was supposed to be on the perch (fastening them with ubolts once seated). Then I SLOWLY lowered the vehicle down which compressed the srpings allowing them to lengthen and "slide" into the frame end pockets. Once in the pockets I fastened them and then re-tightened the ubolts.

 

[Sero]

Install the frame end first since it's the fixed point, then the axle and shackle since those can be moved to line them up.

 

[rweaver138]

Install the frame end first since it's the fixed point, then the axle and shackle since those can be moved to line them up.

this, ive never had this problem you speak of while doing leaf springs, i use this method mentioned

 

[Cottontail]

I had a similar issue. I attached the shackle end first of each spring (like you have done). Then I moved the axle so that the spring on each side was seated where it was supposed to be on the perch (fastening them with ubolts once seated). Then I SLOWLY lowered the vehicle down which compressed the srpings allowing them to lengthen and "slide" into the frame end pockets. Once in the pockets I fastened them and then re-tightened the ubolts.

I did a similar thing, but I had the Jeep on jackstands, so I put the leafs in front and back and then had the axle on a jack and jacked it up so both sides of the axle lined up. Then put in the u-bolts and lowered the jack down and out of the way.

Pretty easty to line up the spring perches on the axle with the leaf bars both front to back and side to side when it is on a rolling jack!

 

[coldoath]

Ok, well I tried putting the spring on the perch, connecting the drop shackle side, and then jacking it up and trying to get it to flex forward so I could bolt it into the frame mount and this is what happens...

^The holes don't line up because of the upward force.

Here is a picture of the spring sitting on the perch with no force applied:

As you can see, it reaches the drop shackle with plenty of room:

Here is a picture of the perch itself. You can see I drilled out the center hole, where the other spring rested, to make room for the new leaf. Now you can see those two square holes on either side of the one re-drilled. If I take the leaf out of that center mount and mount it to the frame first, like several of you said to do, the pin on the bottom of the springs lines up with that square hole on the left. My question is, is can I just round out that square hole and let the springs chill there or will that fuxxx everything up?

 

[jeepme]

Install the frame end first since it's the fixed point, then the axle and shackle since those can be moved to line them up.

Do this!! the springs are not going to magicaly line up perfectly. You need to use some force and move them around until the holes line up. Sometimes you will have to grab the axle and move it over to line up the pin also. I always mount the springs first loosly then mount up the axle to the springs. Remember to not fully tighten the SRING mounting bolts( shackle and frame side) until all of the wight of the Jeep is on them.

 

[jpcherokeekid]

you have to put the front of the leaf spring in first and then the shackle side. ive never heard of trying to put leaf springs in the shackle first, thats just dumb and makes an easy job harder than it should be.

 

[coldoath]

Well When I try that I can't seem to get the axle to move far enough forward. Will the axle even move forward?

 

[ECKSJAY]

Well When I try that I can't seem to get the axle to move far enough forward. Will the axle even move forward?

Disconnect your driveshaft, install the front of the springs first (leave the bolts loose), then the back (leave bolts loose), jack the axle up to the springs, line up one spring perch, loosely put the ubolts on that one side, line up the other spring perch and put the ubolts on. Tighten the ubolts once everything is lined up, put the wheels on, set it on the ground. Snug up the spring bolts, reconnect your driveshaft and install the shocks...

Don't try to install the springs on the axle before you attach them to the Jeep...or you'll have a bitch of a time.

 

[fyrfytr1717]

I don't understand why you can't move the axle forward? It's on wheels or a rolling jack isn't it? Mount the leafs to the vehicle, then reposition the axle so the perches line up with the center pins. The slip yoke in the driveshaft will extend or compress as necessary if you're worried that the driveshaft is what is limiting the axle's movement. Maybe I'm just missing something?

 

[ECKSJAY]

I don't understand why you can't move the axle forward? It's on wheels or a rolling jack isn't it? Mount the leafs to the vehicle, then reposition the axle so the perches line up with the center pins. The slip yoke in the driveshaft will extend or compress as necessary if you're worried that the driveshaft is what is limiting the axle's movement. Maybe I'm just missing something?

I'm assuming no SYE, so it would be a stock shaft. With the suspension dropped out and axle disconnected, the pinion is probably pointed way down and the whole thing is binding up. Poor guy is probably fighting that bind and it's killin' him.

 

[coldoath]

Disconnect your driveshaft, install the front of the springs first (leave the bolts loose), then the back (leave bolts loose), jack the axle up to the springs, line up one spring perch, loosely put the ubolts on that one side, line up the other spring perch and put the ubolts on. Tighten the ubolts once everything is lined up, put the wheels on, set it on the ground. Snug up the spring bolts, reconnect your driveshaft and install the shocks...

Don't try to install the springs on the axle before you attach them to the Jeep...or you'll have a bitch of a time.

Hm...sounds like a good idea. I just couldn't get my axle to move forward so that's why I've been trying other crap, but I'll def give this a go tomorrow and let you guys know how it goes! Thanks!!!!

 

[the_weirdo]

It shouldn't be anywhere near this hard. Remove the driveshaft, lift the axle to the springs and make sure the center pins line up, put the front spring bolt in first, lift the rear axle to install the rear shackle bolt, done. This shouldn't take more than 2 hours to install. The pics show that you are doing the rear shackle bolt first, that is not the way that I would recommend. The shackle can rotate and will make the install easier to do it last.

 

[anthrax323]

I have the same leaf packs and had no such issues... Tips given thus far are good, but to give you some insight, this is the process I followed:

1. Loosened frame-side bolts first using PB Blaster, a torch, and a breaker bar.
2. Lifted rear of vehicle, rested frame rails on jack stands high enough to allow full droop plus an extra ~10" of clearance to the floor.
3. Removed U-bolts from one side of the axle first, allowed axle to droop beneath spring.
4. Removed spring, drilled out perches, and installed the new RE leaf pack with the bolts finger-tight. Installing the frame-side bolt first was a wise idea here.
5. Loosely installed new U-bolts and U-bolt plate on this side to hold the axle up.
6. Repeated process for the other side.

This method prevented the need to fight against the weight of the axle trying to get things aligned.

 

[CharlesS]

The only thing that I can add to Anthrax post is during reassembly I added some anti seize "Loc-cease" to the bolts and threads to allow for easy disassembly in the future. I used an alignment tool to assist in aligning the bolt holes.

 

[Brent T]

I have the same leaf packs and had no such issues... Tips given thus far are good, but to give you some insight, this is the process I followed:

1. Loosened frame-side bolts first using PB Blaster, a torch, and a breaker bar.
2. Lifted rear of vehicle, rested frame rails on jack stands high enough to allow full droop plus an extra ~10" of clearance to the floor.
3. Removed U-bolts from one side of the axle first, allowed axle to droop beneath spring.
4. Removed spring, drilled out perches, and installed the new RE leaf pack with the bolts finger-tight. Installing the frame-side bolt first was a wise idea here.
5. Loosely installed new U-bolts and U-bolt plate on this side to hold the axle up.
6. Repeated process for the other side.

This method prevented the need to fight against the weight of the axle trying to get things aligned.

I just installed my leaf packs last night - did it exactly as stated above. Much easier to leave one side intact while you work with the other side. I also loosened the upper shackle bolts so I could easily move them to align with the spring. Cleaned all bolts up with a wire wheel and applied anti-seize to threads before reassembly.