I am installing Dorman 929-301 leaf springs with the pre-installed bushings. I am using replacement bolts from TeamCherokee.

With the front of the leaf bolted onto the vehicle, I can push the bushing left and right on the bolt almost 1/4" within the front mount. Is this free movement acceptable?

I've been told not to torque this bolt until the weight of the vehicle is on the spring but this doesn't seem to make sense if I am never torquing against the bushing itself.

Pictures attached show the bushing at full left and full right.

 

I'm wondering how you used those TeamCherokee bolts with the factory nuts... I ordered that TeamCherokee bolt package and they had SAE thread, not metric like the factory bolts. I'm not sure how they're getting away with that...


So, maybe that's the issue... You've cross-threaded SAE bolts into metric captured nuts and that's where they stop? Have you compared the width of the bushings you took out vs. the width of the Dormans?

 

EDIT: The problem IS the TeamCherokee bolts! I cleaned up one of the nasty looking OEM bolts and I can easily eliminate the play with wrist tightness on a wrench. I will be curious to hear what TeamCherokee has to say about this...

 

Yeah, you're going to want to clean the threads of your captured nuts with the appropriate metric tap after running those SAE bolts through there. I hope you get some results from TeamCherokee. After I had the issue, I just swallowed the cost of the bolts because I had talked to their customer service before and I determined they weren't worth calling back for this issue.


I ended up buying a Mopar bolt set ($$).

 

Don't torque the U-bolts until it's on the ground.

 

Seriously? I was going to torque the u-bolts with the wheels off, car in the air, springs sitting on the axles (supported by jack stands) but then leave the spring to shackle and spring to frame bolts just snug until the weight of the car pushed them into the proper angles once on the ground.

 

Seriously.

 

Alexis, what did you use for shackles with the Dorman springs?

Have you gotten it buttoned up and road tested yet?

 

Buttoned up and driving just fine. I used the Dorman 722-024 shackles. They aren't cheap but my OEM shackles were in very poor condition.


Separately, I spoke with Team Cherokee customer service two days ago and explained the bolt problem and was told to expect to be called "right back" by a supervisor. Radio silence for the past 48 hours. Looks like I will be another unsatisfied customer eating the $40 cost of their "Direct Fit" OEM replacement bolts.

 

Why not right here at CF:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f74/ne...e-kits-239237/

Leaf spring package ($20): We can all agree that removing leaf spring bolts is one of the more curse word-inducing processes on our Jeeps. Snapping, stripping, or rounding SOMETHING off is a very common occurrence when trying to remove your old leafs.
This kit comes with bolts, washers, and nuts (nuts are not always required, but included in the kit if you need new ones) for the front leaf eyelet and rear leaf eyelet for both sides of the Jeep.

 

Sorry to hear that, but as you can guess I'm not surprised.

 

I totally forgot about this guy! I need to keep this in mind for future suggestions. Thanks Earl.

 

Glad to hear you're up and running! I'm going with the same Dorman leafs for my upcoming replacement. Due to your troubles and advice from trusted CF members, I just went ahead and bought the Mopar bolts (6 for about $45 with shipping). Unsurprisingly, I always feel comfortable putting in the literal OEM replacement whenever possible.

I'm still vacillating on the shackles to go with (Crown at $40 for the pair or "upgrade" at $70-80 for the pair.) but knowing that you're running well on the OEM style shackles with the dorman leafs is extremely helpful.

Sorry to hear about the b.s. with Team Cherokee. If nothing else, the fact that multiple CF members have nothing but negative things to say about them is certain to hurt their reputation and cost them future sales.

 

I actually was thinking about this as my plan B. $20 for front and rear both sides is a great price. Had I been unable to get the Mopar OEM bolts I probably would have gone this route.