Help Needed FJ62! Calling all leaf springs experts!

[lloydn470]

I'm new to this whole forums thing so please excuse if I bugger anything up. Have a 1989 FJ62 with a 2 inch lift and am trying to replace the leaf spring bushes. Decided to do the front ones first. Jacked up the frame, put it on 2 jack stands to relieve the tension on the springs and unbolted the front sway bar to let the axel droop. Got the bushes out and replaced them but now I'm having difficulty remounting the leaf springs. When I look at the front mount for the leafs where the shackles go, they aren't aligned anymore. I'm guessing that my front axle has shifted or something. I can't even get the back mounts for the front leafs in. I'm not that experienced with mechanical work but everyone I spoke to said that the job would be relatively easy. Any advice from someone whos done this job before? What am I doing wrong?

Cheers, Lloyd

 

[EscapeWagon62]

Im assuming from your writeup that you did not remove the U bolts that hold the leaf spring packs to the axle.
Best, easiest, safest way is to remove those, connect to springs to the shackle and pivot pin then reinstall the U bolts.

Its also best practice to use new U bolts as they are under relatively high torque and stretch when originally installed.

I leaned all of the above after getting stuck/frustrated like you

 

[Earwigg]

To get the fixed pin end in I found it easyer to put the spring in with one bush then push the other one through to big hole in the mount. May help you
Has the axle rolled away a bit it's a heavy awkward lump.

 

[lloydn470]

To get the fixed pin end in I found it easyer to put the spring in with one bush then push the other one through to big hole in the mount. May help you
Has the axle rolled away a bit it's a heavy awkward lump.

Yea I gave that a try just after posting initially, managed to get one side in, but I cant get the other side in. Pretty sure my axle has shifted, tried rolling it back but cant get it to move far enough. I'm doing the whole thing with the wheels on the ground. Don't know if I should raise the axle or not.

 

[Skniper]

I would get the axle in the air above the springs on two more jack stands. Get your shackles etc stabbed into place then jockey the axle onto the springs. It can take some prying and occasionally a ratchet strap to get it all set.

First time I did it I thought no way in hell all this fits together, it does.
I also tried (once) to do some minor shackle work with the u bolts still attached, huge pain In the a$$.

 

[Earwigg]

A bit of rope or a ratchet strap will help moving things forward and back

Both fixed pin first but not tight then jack either the truck or axle until you can get the shackles on.
Taking the ubolts off will make it easy but you then should go buy new ubolts which is 150 bucks bribing a friend with beer and snacks to help move things around is cheaper.

 

[BMValentine]

Some cold beer, a buddy, ratchet strap (or two), lots of cursing, hammer, and a pry bar should get that thing back under there. I have also found threatening to burn the thing to the ground will sometimes motivate it to cooperate.

 

[Gretsch]

I would get the axle in the air above the springs on two more jack stands. Get your shackles etc stabbed into place then jockey the axle onto the springs. It can take some prying and occasionally a ratchet strap to get it all set.

This is the way to do this. Springs are much lighter and easier to move/adjust and set into place without the axle attached.

 

[SteveH]

Ratchet strap? Maybe. You need a steel cable comealong. Try this: Maasdam - https://www.maasdam.com/

If you don't own one, you need to. Makes a ratchet strap look like it's only good for holding cargo in a trailer, which, actually.....

 

[Code Red]

I leave the axle attached to the leaf springs, but the wheels need to come off, and get the axle up in the air on a pair of floor jacks. Then you have something to attach the come-a-long to. install the fixed end first, then apply come-a-long, and aforementioned beer, cussing, pry-bars, and a sprinkling of blood, sweat, and tears.

You are going to be pushing, pulling, and yanking on the truck. Make sure that in addition to jack stands, you have some blocking, tire/wheels, or other safety measures in place. Jack stands are safer than jacks, but they do fail (been there, done that, twice, still have a cool scar, but threw away the skivvies, the nerve damage sorted itself out in about three years).

 

[Skniper]

I leave the axle attached to the leaf springs, but the wheels need to come off, and get the axle up in the air on a pair of floor jacks. Then you have something to attach the come-a-long to. install the fixed end first, then apply come-a-long, and aforementioned beer, cussing, pry-bars, and a sprinkling of blood, sweat, and tears.

You are going to be pushing, pulling, and yanking on the truck. Make sure that in addition to jack stands, you have some blocking, tire/wheels, or other safety measures in place. Jack stands are safer than jacks, but they do fail (been there, done that, twice, still have a cool scar, but threw away the skivvies, the nerve damage sorted itself out in about three years).

^^^ WTF?.........no.

 

[lloydn470]

Alright, Crisis averted. Bought myself a full set of Maxi Trac U bolts. Jacked up the axle and with a bit of head scratching, dropped the springs off. Was actually a fairly easy task aha. new u bolts are on there with new bushes in the springs. Easy as.

Cheers fellas, made a newbies day