Why won't my leaf packs seat on the axle ?

[Explosive]

Well I planned on having the jeep on 4 tires tonight but I ran into a issue that has me rather disgusted right now.

The nuts on the U-bolts a just snug as I'd like avoid using them to pull it through as it really doesn't want to seat. I've tried everything I can think of. Is there a trick I'm missing ?

 

[xjtrailrider]

drill the hole out on the spring pads of the axle, the center pin head is too big to fit through the existing hole!

 

[Stukboy]

yep. that's my thought.

 

[Explosive]

Yea that thought had crossed my mind, I was leaving drilling as more of a last resort but I gotta do what I gotta do I guess. I wont be working on it again until tomorrow night so I'll wait and see what other responses I get. I figured it could also be a combo of rusted perch and thick paint on the pin.

 

[stewie]

drill it out. i had to on my jeeps stock rusted out rear axle. the pin actually was rusted into the hole on the perch and broke off in there when i pulled the stock leaf springs. a drill bit fixed everything

 

[xjtrailrider]

I figured it could also be a combo of rusted perch and thick paint on the pin.

Rust and paint will not keep that center pin from going into the hole, its either not lined up, or the hole is too small! Get your drill out and take care of it!!

 

[ericfx1984]

drill the hole out on the spring pads of the axle, the center pin head is too big to fit through the existing hole!

that was my thought, you beat me to it... lol :laugh3:

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

in the installation instructions for my RE lift, it says to redrill the hole in the spring plate. seems like its a no brainer to be.

 

[1990JEEPXJ]

x2. its part of installing the lift as spelled out in the instructions.

 

[Explosive]

I've got a rustys and it doesn't say anything about drilling it. Just says "be sure the center pin is aligned with the hole on the axle blah blah..." I like to double check before drilling/removing material.

 

[Fixn2xlr8]

If the hole isn't plugged beat the piss out of the u bolts with the air gun. They will seat. It just takes a bit.

 

[the_weirdo]

I will almost guarantee that the center pin is too large for the hole. Every lift I have ever helped install needed the axle mount to be drilled out to the larger diameter.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

If the hole isn't plugged beat the piss out of the u bolts with the air gun. They will seat. It just takes a bit.

ya... or you could take your calipers to the center pin and the hole, youd probably find a difference. im a fan of breaking out the BFH, or putting the impact on "super F-in tight" but thats not the way to do this.







to the OP:
all the hole is doing is locating the spring on the perch. regardless of the size of the hole, the center point is still the same. find the right drill bit and spend 60 seconds making it fit. torque your u-bolts evenly and to spec. be sure to recheck after 50 miles or so.

 

[Lowrange2]

Lift kits come with installation instructions?

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

so do a lot of other things... :dunno:

 

[RCP Phx]

Also check the height of the center pins,some are longer and will bottom out on the axle tube.RE used to have additional spacers installed to extend thru the degree shims and need to be removed if you dont need to add the shims.

 

[420BlackXJ]

I had that problem when I did my bastard packs. Center pin was not aligning with the spring perch hole. Just required a little persuasion to line up properly.
Once it was aligned, it just dropped cleanly into place.

 

[coldoath]

in the installation instructions for my RE lift, it says to redrill the hole in the spring plate. seems like its a no brainer to be.

x3

Also when you get it drilled out you're gonna have to do some kicking, hammering, and grunting to get all the bolt holes to line up once you get the springs seated in the perch.

 

[JAS]

For starters take it apart and measure to make sure the head is small enough for the hole.

Drill if needed, maybe some sand paper to the hole, maybe to the head.

I chucked my center pins up in a drill and did some light sanding on the head. A few thousands maybe...

 

[Infidel_XJ]

.....take off your wheel.....sit....look.....and pray for the pin to gently push through....light some incense and candles....








or







...do what everyone else has been telling you and drill the fawking thing and be done with it......lol