My 2000 Sport has these leaf spring adders in the rear that I'm not sure if they are OEM or were added on by a previous owner... They look like stiffeners, but I have never had experience with these before so I wanted some opinions on whether they're necessary, or if I can remove them for a smoother ride.

 

DEFINITELY aftermarket.

 

Yep, aftermarket. They probably put them on to fight spring sag.

 

do they really help at all? i have some springs that are sagged flat and cant get any bolts to break free to change them. have tried everything short of cutting. would those buy me a few months?

 

so this is something I should leave be, and not remove?

 

They won't work as well as slapping on new spring packs, but that takes a lot more work. No harm in leaving them on for now and it won't hurt anything if you take them off, your back end will just sit lower.

 

Saws all

Grinding

 

Oops
Saws all
Cutoff wheel grinder
Torch
Meet your new friends
Just collect everything you need /want for replacements

 

Dems be aftermarket helper springs. Easy way to stiffen the packs to help with towing, won't do much for sag though.

 

Harsh ride probably being caused by bad springs. Mine were so bad in my 96 xj that the springs were bowing the opposite way. I installed new old man emu 2" heavy duty springs in the rear and it was night in day in ride quality. 5" difference in ride height. The bolts usually seize inside the bushings so now would be the time to invest in your rust tools. Big ****ing hammer (bfh) a torch (oxy/acet if possible or MAP if not. Air tools make life easy the impact effect does wonders to rust.