ruralandalone Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 As part of my restoration I realized that I needed new leaf springs.Bought the new springs. and installed one.Discovered that the new springs are shorter than the ones that were on it. I have no idea if the ones I removed were original, or even correct.I verified that the new ones are the correct part - they are what they are supposed to be.The new ones fit, but the bracket is too far back, so the spring is free to swing up and hit the frame. but I am going to have to either make or buy new shackle mount brackets, which are, of course, unobtainium. I have to either redo the front mounts, or relocate the new brackets in what would be the correct location (my preference at this point). There is no lift - the suspension is stockHas anyone had a similar experience, and does anyone know where I can get an aftermarket bracket? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 As part of my restoration I realized that I needed new leaf springs. Bought the new springs. and installed one. Discovered that the new springs are shorter than the ones that were on it. I have no idea if the ones I removed were original, or even correct. I verified that the new ones are the correct part - they are what they are supposed to be. The new ones fit, but the bracket is too far back, so the spring is free to swing up and hit the frame. but I am going to have to either make or buy new shackle mount brackets, which are, of course, unobtainium. I have to either redo the front mounts, or relocate the new brackets in what would be the correct location (my preference at this point). There is no lift - the suspension is stock Has anyone had a similar experience, and does anyone know where I can get an aftermarket bracket? Your new springs are for the Cherokee. Cherokee springs are shorter and will show up under any search for Comanche springs. No parts store employee will know the difference. AFAIK the only companies that make stock MJ springs are General spring and Hell Creek Suspensions and are only obtained through them. I would return what you have and buy the proper springs before moving mounts. If you don't want to do that, take the main leaf from your old pack and strap it to the new pack. It will sit lower however since the Cherokee springs don't support the weight of the Comanche the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 First of all, where did you buy your new MJ springs? What is the p/n? Compare your measurements with the below. These are a good substitute for stock MJ shackles and work fine: Regulation Comanche MJ Leaf Spring Measurements: A = 26" B = 31" D = 1.5" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 As part of my restoration I realized that I needed new leaf springs. Bought the new springs. and installed one. Discovered that the new springs are shorter than the ones that were on it. I have no idea if the ones I removed were original, or even correct. I verified that the new ones are the correct part - they are what they are supposed to be. The new ones fit, but the bracket is too far back, so the spring is free to swing up and hit the frame. but I am going to have to either make or buy new shackle mount brackets, which are, of course, unobtainium. I have to either redo the front mounts, or relocate the new brackets in what would be the correct location (my preference at this point). There is no lift - the suspension is stock Has anyone had a similar experience, and does anyone know where I can get an aftermarket bracket? Your new springs are for the Cherokee. Cherokee springs are shorter and will show up under any search for Comanche springs. No parts store employee will know the difference. AFAIK the only companies that make stock MJ springs are General spring and Hell Creek Suspensions and are only obtained through them. I would return what you have and buy the proper springs before moving mounts. If you don't want to do that, take the main leaf from your old pack and strap it to the new pack. It will sit lower however since the Cherokee springs don't support the weight of the Comanche the same. This sounds like it, although I guess I always assumed that the XJ springs were short enough to not "almost" fit. Guess I've never seen anyone actually say how much shorter the XJ springs are. I'd line up the new springs and the old springs and see how much the difference is. Regardless, it's pretty likely that what you have is actually for an XJ, not an MJ. That's the problem with the back half of our trucks - most of the parts databases just assume MJs use the same parts as XJs when they definitely don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruralandalone Posted July 24, 2017 Author Share Posted July 24, 2017 Thanks for the information! It let me check the springs and, unfortunately, they match the specifications given above. This confirms my suspicion that the springs that were on it were not for a comanche. Since I have no idea what they were from, I have to restore the vehicle and use the correct springs. I actually think that the front shackle bracket was the one that was replaced (Since I have never actually seen what it is supposed to look like....) So I'll buy some new spring hangers and redo the front, not the back. Anyone care to recommend a source? THANKS AGAIN FOR THE FEEDBACK. MUCH APPRECIATED!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 photos would help :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 photos would help :thumbsup: X2. Also, the front spring hanger brackets are different for the LWB and SWB models, and neither is available anymore new. The p/n's are 55006826 (LWB) and 55009170 (SWB). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 Photos would definitely help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruralandalone Posted July 24, 2017 Author Share Posted July 24, 2017 I looked at the parts manual again, and since what I have for a "bracket does not in any way match the drawing it is clear that the front mounts were butchered. SO- any suggestions for the best place for replacement hangers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 I looked at the parts manual again, and since what I have for a "bracket does not in any way match the drawing it is clear that the front mounts were butchered. SO- any suggestions for the best place for replacement hangers? Make your own. Somewhere on this site, someone has posted dimensional drawings of both the LWB and SWB chassis. With the dimensions, it shouldn't be difficult to fabricate and locate replacement brackets. I'm sure members here will be happy to provide close-up photos of what the brackets look like on the truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 I need to see what you see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruralandalone Posted July 24, 2017 Author Share Posted July 24, 2017 ok. I'll try to get a snap out to this topic tomorrow afternoon..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted July 25, 2017 Share Posted July 25, 2017 I need to see what you see Yeah I'm very confused. Lol pictures are a must. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertRat1991 Posted July 25, 2017 Share Posted July 25, 2017 ok. I'll try to get a snap out to this topic tomorrow afternoon..... Snap a picture of the shackles you took off the truck as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruralandalone Posted July 25, 2017 Author Share Posted July 25, 2017 I have the pictures, but I can't figure out how to upload the images, and I also need to know what the size limit is. The "image" button asks for a URL, and the "my media" button refers to a library that I don't have.... I really hate to sound stupid, bat could someone point me in the right direction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 25, 2017 Share Posted July 25, 2017 http://comancheclub.com/topic/37727-how-to-post-pictures/ if you have a facebook account, that will work too. just don't use FB for anything you want to share long-term as FB purposely changes the pics' addresses now and again to avoid hosting duties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruralandalone Posted July 26, 2017 Author Share Posted July 26, 2017 ok - set up photobucket and uploaded the pics, but they are cropped. If you send me a personal email with your email address I can send them directly. (what a pain) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruralandalone Posted July 26, 2017 Author Share Posted July 26, 2017 If someone can give me a measurement from the center of the bolt of the shackle hanger to the center of the bolt on the front of the leaf spring I'd appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 we're working on getting photo-hosting with our upcoming software upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertRat1991 Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 I have the pictures, but I can't figure out how to upload the images, and I also need to know what the size limit is. The "image" button asks for a URL, and the "my media" button refers to a library that I don't have.... I really hate to sound stupid, bat could someone point me in the right direction? http://tinypic.com Upload pics. Paste the url here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 Here is the pictures. Rural you'll have to explain them. Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 First off, are those cracks at the seams of those front mounts??? If so, they need welded back to the frame. From what I can see, these are factory mounts and shackles. Your new springs are definitely wrong. The first picture confirms this as you have the original leaf and the suspension at full droop, notice the shackle will hang perfectly vertical in this position. The fifth picture shows the new springs at (what looks to be full droop?) as well and the shackles hang at an angle forward. You'll need to get the proper springs to solve your issue. When the weight of the truck is on the suspension, the shackle will rotate backwards. It should sit with the shackle swung backwards at an angle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 Would have been nice to have a broader view........? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertRat1991 Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 Holy cow, a 5+1 leaf pack?? Well, one thing is for sure, the springs you took off were not OEM leaf packs. Even metric tonne springs were only 3+2, and OEM springs are kind of rounded off at the ends. The overload leaf in pic 2 looks squared. I would agree that it looks like your new leafs are too short, but the cracks at the front mount are concerning. I hope someone didn't cut it off and try to re-weld it in a new spot to fit that bastard pack. Take a wider angle profile shot of the truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockfrog Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 Looks more like some did some frame plating. Looks like the plating was flame cut too slow as well. Looks like stock shackles ... And some form of XJ spring based bastard pack there. Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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