Leaf Spring and shackle torque for better ride
 

2001 XJ 2wd

I have new leaf springs and new 2" shackles. I remember reading about how you can lower the leaf torque from the FSM recommendations for a better road ride. I have 31" new Dura Tracs also and 5100 Bilstein shocks 3" over front and rear and 3" new coils on the front.

Of course my ride is somewhat stiffer than stock but I think that I am over torqued on my shackles since the ride got stiffer with them. They are torqued to FSM specs for the rear leafs without shackles so I don't know if that matters.

What is a good safe torque for the front and rear leaf (with shackles) bolts for a better road ride? Also, without doing the chalk test what is the best road pressure for my new tires? I currently run 30PSI

Thanks in advance for your suggestions. Sandyman

Your ride got stiffer because your new leafs are not broken in the way your old ones were, do not under torque your bolts. Under torquing axle u-bolts can lead to your axle moving forward or rear on one or both sides. You just need to give the new springs time to settle into their new normal position, Aftermarket springs have a tendency to have a higher spring rate than stock to compensate for bumpers and other heavy off road necessities.

Assumptions made: stock equivalent leaf springs with 2" lift shackles for 2" lift in the rear. 3" coils in the front for 3" lift in the front.

My fear: your wording gives the impression that you added a shackle between the unirail mount and the main leaf eye. The only place you should have a shackle is between the rear leaf eye and the rear unirail mount. The main eye is directly mounted to the body and the rear has a shackle so as your leaf compresses it doesn't move the axle but the spring is still free to move in its natural arc.

load rating of your tires?

No problem Basshark. They are in the back. Your assumptions are correct and the new leafs did raise the heck out of the back hence the 2" shackle. I sure thought I had read where the leaf eye bolts could get by with less torque for a better ride. I would never mess with the U bolt torque. My current torque is Front Eye 115 FT Lbs. Rear Eye upper is 115 lbs and the lower Rear eye is 80 Lbs. You are correct, nothing is broken in yet. But the ride quality changed some with the shackle which is why I was curious about the torque ......... Tire Load rating is 2270 lbs at 50PSI.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...38524a3877.jpg

It's a Jeep enjoy it.

OK I will. Now, I would like to enjoy it even more if the twist of a torque wrench would do it for me.

Fastener torque will not affect the ride, spring rates and unsprung mass will.

Your shackle angle looks to be about a dead 90 degrees, shouldn't it be closer to 50?

I don't know. And they are only a few degrees rearward from 90. I was wondering the same.

Your shackle angle looks terrible. That causes a harsh ride. You probably need to relocate them. Post a pic of the angle. If its 90 degrees, fix it

It's so close call it 90 degrees. What should it be and what do I do to fix it?

Thank you.

Shackle relocation bracket

With my current shackles and 45 degrees? What brand do you recommend?

I can't offer an educated opinion, either research or try posting up here:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/al...go-here-10579/