getting the leafs back on

[jp_waltz]

I in the process of putting man-a-fre AAL's on my 88 62 and I am having trouble getting the bolt that holds the leaf pack together back into the hole that it goes into on the axle. I know that the new leaf has more arch and it is making the lining up difficult. Does anyone have any tricks? I did the rear PS already and it was a pain. I put the shackle side on first last time and then tried to put the pin in and had a whale of a time with pry bars and hammers and such and it took me hours. So now I put the pin in first and im trying to get the u bolts to line up and, no luck. Any past experiences would be greatly appreciated. As you can see in the pictures below im trying to get that bolt head into the hole in the bottom of the flat part of the axle.
Thanks,
Paul

[inkpot]

Howdy! I would try mounting both ends of the spring pack onto the rig, the jack up the rig a bit more until the leaves and center pin raise up to meet the bottom of the axle. Or, you could take the wheel off that side of the axle, and let it down onto the springs with a jack. John

[jp_waltz]

i tried mounting both sides of the spring and the bolt was off by 1/2 inch. I tried jacking up the front of the spring then the back without luck. I will keep trying. This is a pain in the back side for sure.
Thanks,
Paul

[inkpot]

Howdy! If the tires are still on, try loosening the ubolts on the other side a bit, and then roll the tire fore and aft to center it up. Almost any size/kind of ratchet strap or comealong will help move the axle into alignment. John

[jacksfj62]

I had the same issue with OME kit and just used a pry bar to move the spring pack a little bit. If they are spread to far apart use ratchet straps to bring them closer. Also disconnecting the sway bar will allow you to move the axle around easier.

[jp_waltz]

great advice guys! I just finished with the PS front and I am going to hit the other two tomorrow using the ideas I got from you all. I will keep you posted. Also, do the springs settle in a little? It seems like im getting two or so inches of lift from the AAL's.
Thanks again,
paul

[inkpot]

Originally Posted by jacksfj62

I had the same issue with OME kit and just used a pry bar to move the spring pack a little bit. If they are spread to far apart use ratchet straps to bring them closer. Also disconnecting the sway bar will allow you to move the axle around easier.

Howdy! Yea, I forgot the sway bar, and even the shocks can hold the axle in the old position pretty strongly too, I learned that one the hard way! John

[jacksfj62]

I am not familiar with the AAL's but my suspension has been on a month and is still settling

[lovetoski]

Originally Posted by jp_waltz

great advice guys! I just finished with the PS front and I am going to hit the other two tomorrow using the ideas I got from you all. I will keep you posted. Also, do the springs settle in a little? It seems like im getting two or so inches of lift from the AAL's.
Thanks again,
paul

They will settle a bit. Consensus is that long AAL's give about 1.5" of lift.

My experience in getting the spring pin to fit back into the that hole in the bottom of the axle is that is can be frustrating. I have used straps, and pry bars, and a scissors jack to help move the axle to fit.