AWOL

Just curios as to how many on here have been successful at getting the main eye bolts out and not breaking them? If they did break... what way did you go about fixing the problem? Love the way we have all of these welded in nuts that you cant get to... Any help would be great! Thanks!

SeriousOffroad

Huh?
What are you talking about?

4.3L XJ

Are you talking about the bolts on the main leaf of the rear spring?

AWOL

The main eye bolts on the rear springs. I am going to replace my leaf springs and when i was looking at it I noticed that the bolts for the front of the spring are boxed in next to the unibody frame. The bolt goes through the main eye of the leaf and I assume it goes into a welded in nut. You cant get to the back side of the bolt. Just looking to see what others have done if you break the bolt while trying to remove it to install new springs. Does that make more sense? Sorry my mind is running in 8 different directions at the moment...

AWOL

yes. not on the shackle end. I can just cot those out if they wont come loose.

4.3L XJ

Everybody soaks them up real good for a couple of days with penetrating oil of some kind first. Two things happen. The bolt seizes to the bushing, or seizes to the nut in the frame. Personally, if I was replacing the whole spring and it seized to the bushing, i would just cut it out with a torch. Most guys don't have one however and use 4" side grinders. If it seizes on the nut, you will have to cut into the floor above it and get at it that way.

SeriousOffroad

Easier to cut in from under the captive nut adjacent to the framerail.