Manipulating Leaf Springs

Any tricks on how to get the bushing eyes to line up with the hanger brackets after removing the bolts?

I have completed the far front and far rear bushings (replaced the rubber with polly).

I have been working on the middle front bushing eyes, removing the bolts and old rubber bushing and knocking out the steel sleeves.

I have the jeep jacked up and on jack stands under the frame with the front axle hanging down.

My issue is getting the spring eyes in the open to work on them. On the passanger side I had to hammer a 2x4 wedge in between to top of the eye and the hanger to be able to work on it. The drivers side, after I knocked the bolt out the spring eye shot up into the spring hanger, I was trying to pull it down with a ratchet strap to no avail.

Any tricks of the trade? Do I need to loosen the front shackle bolts, put the wheels on the ground, or jack up the axle to see if it moves the spring eye position?

Im gonna tackle her tomorrow because she is my daily driver. Any input or experience you may have doing this would be appreciated.

 

I found that it was way easier if I loosened or removed the axle u-bolts. I removed the wheels and placed large jack stands under the frame.Otherwise you are fighting the axle.. The I set the axle on small jack stands and give-er-ell

 

Ok, Thanks I'll get the Pb blaster ready.

 

Pull the shocks off the spring plates and the spring should drop more.

 

Doesn't sound like you have the weight of the vehicle supported by the frame?

 

I know, right. But I do, the jack stands are positioned just to the rear of the front spring hangers and the wheels are lifted off the ground with the axle hanging free. I work midnights, so I'm just now getting up to work on her.

 

this

 

Yes sir, it's comming along (fairly) nicely now. With the assistance of my air hammer and impact wrench.

Thanks guys!