So a 17 yr old smashed me hard from behind, striking a wheel, and driving into the wheel well.
This (presumably) sheared the centre bolt of (both) rear springs

Where do I obtain replacements ? (for a D35)..but springs are 2" lift and have and extra leaf
If they are hard to obtain, can I modify another nut & bolt, whats needed?
thanks in advance

(my jeep is wrecked, but I undid the u-bolts, yanked the axle bolts back with another 4wd, and drove it 2 miles home)

It may end up on my rural block as a unreg off-roader, but hoping to salvage & swap some good parts first

Its a real bummer, spent 2 yrs getting it smicky..looking at another '96 soon, they are getting scarce

its a miracle the other dude was not hurt

 

You can use any grade 8 bolt thats head fits into the locator hole in the axle housing and/or u-bolt plate. It's been quite a long time, but I think I used grade 12 socket cap screws when I put 3-leaf packs in the back of my 67 Camaro. With that job, I had to drill the unileaf for the bolt because it only had a little pin on it. You can probably get the proper ones at any spring shop. They are no big deal. All they do is keep the leaves centered and located on the axle housing. As long as the u-bolts are tight, they'll never have any tension on them.

 

I respectively disagree with using a grade 8 bolt as a center bolt. The center bolts are soft and flexible for a reason. They need to accommodate a flexible spring. Grade 8 bolts are brittle and will break after bending just a little. You can get center bolts at any good auto parts store. I buy mine locally at NAPA

 

Correct grade 8 are too hard. any part store should have them or be able to get them. be sure to get them longer then you need! if you need 4 inch long then get at least 6 inch or longer and so on.

 

FWIW, RockAuto lists those bolts as grade 8.

 

Ya see, you can't fool a toolmaker! Grade 8 isn't as hard as you might think! Grade 12 is another kettle of fish. Hardware Grade 5 is liable to snap as you compress the leaves. Besides, once they are under the U-bolts they don't move at all. At that point you're only concerned about the shear strength of the head.

 

ive used rubbicon express 1482 center bolts for our 2.5'' add aa leaf they are little longer which is easy to install and cut off later when all leafs are compressed


-Marc

 

Thx folks,

damaged one has an aftermarket spring pack with at least on extra leaf.

There is a local specialist fastener supplier, can use cap headed bolts with hex key, high tensile

Once I take it apart, can tell what I am after

should have a replacement '96, back on the road within a week or two

this one will now be a dedicated trail-rig/parts mobile

 

sorry to hear about your injured jeep


-Marc

 

What did I tell you guys? Standard industrial Socket Cap Screws are Grade 12 minimum and the head size fits right into the locator dowel hole on the axle housing. Just remember to match is with at least a Grade 8 nut!