Leaf spring shackle help
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 6
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0 IL6
Leaf spring shackle help
So I’ve noticed my leaf spring shackle (which I recently replaced) is hitting on the shackle bracket. Is this normal, and if not how do I fix this? It makes a noise when it hits which is how I noticed it to begin with.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 935
Likes: 49
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
Looks like the leaf is longer than factory. Aftermarket leaf spring? I can think of three ways to remedy:
1) Install new, factory length leaf springs
2) Install “boomerang” type shackles
3) Install shackle relocation brackets.
1) Install new, factory length leaf springs
2) Install “boomerang” type shackles
3) Install shackle relocation brackets.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 6
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0 IL6
No actually it’s the same size as the factory springs, the drivers side doesn’t have this problem. All the springs and shackles are all factory spec. That’s why I’m confused about it.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 935
Likes: 49
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
Unless you’ve been in a collision that could have altered the dimensions of the unibody, the only thing that could cause this is variation in leaf length. My suggested remedies remain unchanged.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 6
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0 IL6
they’re brand new leaf springs, I’m not replacing them again. I made sure they were the exact same size as the old ones, no the jeep has never been in a collision. When the spring straightens, it gets longer. It can either push the jeep up or that shackle back. I’m wondering if the shackle is supposed to move that much or if it’s maybe too loose. I was hoping someone with experience could help me out with this.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 935
Likes: 49
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
they’re brand new leaf springs, I’m not replacing them again. I made sure they were the exact same size as the old ones, no the jeep has never been in a collision. When the spring straightens, it gets longer. It can either push the jeep up or that shackle back. I’m wondering if the shackle is supposed to move that much or if it’s maybe too loose. I was hoping someone with experience could help me out with this.
Perhaps someone who has dealt with your exact situation will chime in. I’m interested in seeing a solution outside what I’ve suggested.
Last edited by ElMartillo; May 1, 2018 at 02:17 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,924
Likes: 203
From: Greenville, SC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Does it hit at ride height, or just when you put a load on it/flex? If it's hitting when flexing or loading shackle relocation boxes and/or boomerang shackles would help. If it's hitting at ride height there are a few possibilities.
A) you have a large amount of weight in the jeep
B) the leaf spring is longer than factory
C) the jeep is twisted
D) some how something was installed wrong maybe the front of the leaf spring isn't secured properly and it's letting the leaf spring "walk" back. Not sure exactly what all could have gone wrong during install.
More pictures especially from different angles and of the whole area would help.
A) you have a large amount of weight in the jeep
B) the leaf spring is longer than factory
C) the jeep is twisted
D) some how something was installed wrong maybe the front of the leaf spring isn't secured properly and it's letting the leaf spring "walk" back. Not sure exactly what all could have gone wrong during install.
More pictures especially from different angles and of the whole area would help.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 6
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0 IL6
I understand that and I certainly appreciate the suggestions. Sorry if it sounded like I was being short with you I’m just at work and don’t have much time to reply. I appreciate the help.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,700
Likes: 238
From: Groton, MA
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
What brand of leafs did you use? I'll be monitoring this thread closely as I have to replace my leafs in the somewhat near future.
Did you torque the shackles to the factory spec? If so then I don't see how they could be too loose (unless they worked their way out a bit).
Did you torque the shackles to the factory spec? If so then I don't see how they could be too loose (unless they worked their way out a bit).
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 6
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0 IL6
Does it hit at ride height, or just when you put a load on it/flex? If it's hitting when flexing or loading shackle relocation boxes and/or boomerang shackles would help. If it's hitting at ride height there are a few possibilities.
A) you have a large amount of weight in the jeep
B) the leaf spring is longer than factory
C) the jeep is twisted
D) some how something was installed wrong maybe the front of the leaf spring isn't secured properly and it's letting the leaf spring "walk" back. Not sure exactly what all could have gone wrong during install.
More pictures especially from different angles and of the whole area would help.
A) you have a large amount of weight in the jeep
B) the leaf spring is longer than factory
C) the jeep is twisted
D) some how something was installed wrong maybe the front of the leaf spring isn't secured properly and it's letting the leaf spring "walk" back. Not sure exactly what all could have gone wrong during install.
More pictures especially from different angles and of the whole area would help.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 935
Likes: 49
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
A quick search yielded this. Maybe some insight?
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/qu...-frame-229048/
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/qu...-frame-229048/
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 6
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0 IL6
What brand of leafs did you use? I'll be monitoring this thread closely as I have to replace my leafs in the somewhat near future.
Did you torque the shackles to the factory spec? If so then I don't see how they could be too loose (unless they worked their way out a bit).
Did you torque the shackles to the factory spec? If so then I don't see how they could be too loose (unless they worked their way out a bit).
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 6
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0 IL6
A quick search yielded this. Maybe some insight?
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/qu...-frame-229048/
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/qu...-frame-229048/
