Leaf Spring replacement- XJ

[HillBillE]

Not really a write up, more of a Tech Tip.

When the rear leafs are intalled in an XJ, the bolt holding the front of the leaf in 'squishes' the metal of the mount, this is due to the uni-body style of construction.

This makes installing a new leaf, or a leaf with new bushings, a pain.

Laying on your back, swinging a hammer, or playing with prybars, and hoping to get the hole lined up, is frustrating!!

I took a chunk of 1/2" threaded rod, 2 washers, 2 nuts, and a pair of vice grips.

Insert the threaded rod through the spring mount, stick on a washer, nut, 2nd nut, and another washer.

Thread the first nut up the rod, until it contacts the inside of the spring perch.

attatch the vice grips-this will keep the threaded rod from spinning-

NOTE: Don't let the threaded rod enter the 'frame' rail. There is a captured nut inside, and the threads are metric.
Allow just enough of the rod in to keep it lined up, 1/16" is fine.

Then use a wrench to turn the nut toward the outside of the Jeep, and it will open up the spring perch.

Should look like this during the spreading:





Once the perch is open, remove the threaded rod, and the new spring will slip right in.

The perch will close back up when you tighten the spring bolt back down.

Good idea to use some Anti-sieze on these bolts, as they use a 'captured nut' inside the 'frame' rail.

[HillBillE]