mik666 Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 hey gang So i decided i need to replace my original leaf springs in my 87 4.0 2WD, i could see the bushing were worn and thought i'd get the cool military wraps from general spring and hope i didn't get to much lift compared to the old saggy springs. Anyway 5+ weeks later they finally show up and i tear the thing apart only to find the small alignment nub's on the springs are of course larger than the holes in the axle they're suppose to pop into (its a dana 35 and after struggling to get them aligned for 30m and still not getting close). Anyway i measured them and sure enough there about .040 bigger than the original nubs on the old springs - i figure i have two options, wait for general to respond to my emails (they are pretty slow on replying, when i emailed to ask about the shipping date of the parts) or drill the holes out a bit bigger on the axle - which i admit i'm not to crazy about. Any thoughts on the drilling them out , and hopefully not punching a hole into the axle? kinda pissed as trucks jacked up and looks like it went for a few hr job to a week or two if i wait for general to fix the problem thanks! mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 Drill them out. You'll never replace the leaf pack again, more than likely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 Drill them out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mik666 Posted June 6, 2015 Author Share Posted June 6, 2015 thanks guy - one more question - the things / nub were about an inch away from the hole in the axles w/ new springs - i put the old spring back in to just visualize it (not tighen in) and the tab/holes were about 1/4 away and easily aligned - just a bit paranoid i got sent the wrong springs now and if i drill the old axle out i'm fck'd any thought on the distance w/ new springs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 I'm not sure what you are trying to explain. Post a pic so we can visualize it with you. I think what you are saying is the alignment pin is not ligned up with the hole in the perch. The old springs are worn in and your bushings have worn also. Do NOT tighten any suspension bolts until the weight of the vehicle is on the springs. Ubolts need to be snug to hold the axle in place until it is sat on the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mik666 Posted June 6, 2015 Author Share Posted June 6, 2015 Thx Bo - yes that is exactly what i was trying to say - OK, i'm gunna drill the holes out - but my U bolts need replacing as there pretty whacked too and of course th e shop that carries them is closed until monday - arghhhh >>>think what you are saying is the alignment pin is not aligned up with the hole in the perch. The old springs are worn in and your bushings have worn also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megadan Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 With those new springs, the axle is going to be positioned a bit more forward than the original leaf springs, which is why they don't align if you left the axle static on stands. Those new springs have a much greater arc to them, mostly because they are new. My axle was really far forward for a little while when I first installed my springs from GS. Once they settle a little bit the axle will move backwards, but even without that, when the springs compress, the shackle flex will cause the axle to move to the rear. As far as the hole itself, .040 is just 1mm. No harm in making that hole bigger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mik666 Posted June 6, 2015 Author Share Posted June 6, 2015 thanks guys! - you guys are awesome! - yeah when i lifted the spring a bit it looks like it will align - just need to drill it out and get new u bolts ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 never, never, never reuse ubolts. :thumbsup: doesn't matter what they look like. they stretch upon tightening and should not be reused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 Take the bolt out and turn the round head on a belt sander until the head is small enough to fit the hole. Will take you all of three minutes to solve your problem. That's what I did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 And then prepare yourself for a lot of lift in the back. OME spings and ACOS will level it out. Ride quality of the OME is SUPREME! Pucks will give you hight but the old springs are still sprung......you cannot appreciate the better ride until you swap to OME. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mik666 Posted June 6, 2015 Author Share Posted June 6, 2015 i have moog springs waiting - they were on sale - ($65) hopefully they don't suck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 I put moogs on my wife's XJ about a month ago. THEY SUCK BIG TIME! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megadan Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 I have Moog CC782's on the front of my with 1.5" spacers. I don't mind the ride at all.. Also running KYB Gas-A-Just shocks with BPE's to give me some shock travel back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 On 6/6/2015 at 9:24 PM, Jeep Driver said: Take the bolt out and turn the round head on a belt sander until the head is small enough to fit the hole. Will take you all of three minutes to solve your problem. That's what I did. ^^^ This. Do not drill the hole in the perch on the axle. Use a large C-clamp to hold the leaves in place and compressed while you remove the center bolt/pin, grind it, and replace it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 If it was a AMC 20 or a Dana 44 I would grind the bolt down. For a 35 I would just open the perch up. It's not a great axle and to me not worth the extra effort to tear apart a brand new leaf pack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 The packs are clamped together already......at least mine were. Only one that was loose was the overload leaf. The bolt was so loose I nearly removed it by hand........nuts snagged the bolts half way off. Image Not Found Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 Here are the Moog cc782 on the XJ. CLANK CLANK I'm nearly deaf and I can hear them. Had I known, no way would I have bought them. Image Not Found Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mik666 Posted June 7, 2015 Author Share Posted June 7, 2015 what OME springs do you have in the front AMC? looks like all were for lift (not that i may not have some in rear w/ new springs, but hoping minimal) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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