I had some knocking coming from the rear end of my 89 Comanche, so I started doing some investigating and found that my axle was rocking back and forth on the spring when torque is applied to the wheels. It seems like the inside u-bolts nuts were not tightened down properly and based on the wear on the bolts, there for sure has been movement. Once I got them unbolted, I found that the backing plate that was between the u-bolt nuts and the u-bolt bracket on the underside of the axle was also quite bent (picture attached). I can't find any sort of parts diagram for the Comanche spring-under axle. Does anyone know what this backing plate part would be called or where to get another one? Is it even a stock part?
I also found that the u-bolts that were on it seem to be a lot smaller diameter than stock Comanche bolts and now I'm not even sure that the leaf springs are actual jeep springs. Can anyone identify them from the picture below? They are some 4+1 configuration, so they could be the 1440lb springs, except that the truck has a 4.5" lift in the front and it sits level, so there must be some sort of lift in the rear beyond just the extended shackles.
The spring bushings are quite worn, so have been debating whether to replace the bushings or just get new springs, but I kind of want to figure out what I have before I can do either. Plan to get new u-bolts too. It is an 89 Comanche pioneer 4wd short bed with a Dana 44 rear.