Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Stock Leaf spring replacement question?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 19, 2015 | 11:18 PM
  #1  
nicksan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: So. Cal.
Default Stock Leaf spring replacement question?

I will be replacing leaf springs soon. I have the U bolts but not the bolts for the leafs.
Do I replace the shackle bolts also or can I just leave them in place and not touch the shackles and replace only the bolts that hold the leaves in place?

Maybe loosen them to set the leaves in place?

I am going to purchase 4 bolts but mine are in good shape, very little rust.

Thanks.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2015 | 11:44 PM
  #2  
Jimbo Slice's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 560
Likes: 18
From: U.P. MI
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default Stock Leaf spring replacement question?

Leave the shackles in place.

By the time you've pried, pounded, cut and smashed the forward and rear bolts out, you'll need new ones.

So yeah, go ahead and get four more along with two locknuts for the rears.

Good luck with that project, we're all in this together!
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2015 | 12:02 AM
  #3  
gunmetal_nightrider's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 509
Likes: 1
From: Hampton Roads
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

Jack-it sells a whole set. (6bolts) Nuts and bolts. 10.9 grade. Cost me $40 and they threaded right into the front nuts perfectly
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2015 | 02:13 PM
  #4  
Robert_B's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: North GA mountains
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4 L
Default

Any other sources for these bolts?
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2015 | 02:22 PM
  #5  
EZEARL's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,676
Likes: 301
From: WV
Year: '96
Model: Cherokee
Default

You meaning other than online?
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2015 | 02:34 PM
  #6  
Robert_B's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: North GA mountains
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4 L
Default

Originally Posted by EZEARL
You meaning other than online?
I just found the source above was charging too much for shipping. Would like to check elsewhere.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2015 | 08:14 AM
  #7  
67 GMC's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 925
Likes: 5
From: Fort Erie, CANADA
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Just doing this same project myself today and yesterday. If you can believe, the springs came off on the parts Jeep but my daily driver is not letting go. Used MAPP heat on the passenger side so have the bolt almost out. I'm trying not to cut the leaf off so I can put it back on the parts Jeep so it can be moved around.


I thought I would just buy normal bolts (grade 10) at the hardware as replacements. I think I'm not going to have any weld nuts left anyway. Can anyone give me the stock size? Do I have to keep them metric for some reason? Don't really want to go to a dealership for them either.


Thanks
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2015 | 08:26 AM
  #8  
Robert_B's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: North GA mountains
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4 L
Default

OEM Description
Mopar M14x2.0x120 Hex Flange Head Bolt

I can't see why they need to be metric if you replace the nuts other than the shaft diameter should fit inside the bushings sleeves properly.

Last edited by Robert_B; Aug 22, 2015 at 08:30 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2015 | 08:35 AM
  #9  
kgm's Avatar
kgm
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 2
From: Denver
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I ordered mine through fastenal.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2015 | 08:46 AM
  #10  
67 GMC's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 925
Likes: 5
From: Fort Erie, CANADA
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Thanks for the replies-I saw posts with the metric but on Rock Auto, they show the bolts as 9/16" x 4.5" grade 8 which when you do the conversion is pretty close to the metric size.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2015 | 08:53 AM
  #11  
Robert_B's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: North GA mountains
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4 L
Default

I just ordered mine from https://www.knowwhere2jeep.com/ at $6 each (OEM bolts). Shipping was $10; other place wanted $21. Hope they arrive before Xmas.
Fastenal didn't show a flanged bolt 120mm in length.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2015 | 09:00 AM
  #12  
kgm's Avatar
kgm
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 2
From: Denver
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Don't get the RockAuto ones. I did, and they did not fit. The price to return them was almost the same price as the bolts after shipping.

The jeep kit pictured above as well as the Fastenal ones aren't flanged, but you can use a grade 10 hardened washer in place, and it works the same way.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2015 | 09:11 AM
  #13  
Robert_B's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: North GA mountains
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4 L
Default

I've got all the parts except the bolts. I wasn't going to replace them but sure don't want to have the vehicle layed up longer than necessary so now I've ordered them. Sure hope the old ones come out cleanly. I've soaked them with penetrating oil and just hope the bolt isn't rust welded to the bushing sleeve as others have found.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2015 | 09:13 AM
  #14  
Robert_B's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: North GA mountains
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4 L
Default

Originally Posted by kgm
The jeep kit pictured above as well as the Fastenal ones aren't flanged, but you can use a grade 10 hardened washer in place, and it works the same way.
Good point.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2015 | 10:51 AM
  #15  
gunmetal_nightrider's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 509
Likes: 1
From: Hampton Roads
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

The jack-it pack contained washers....as is pictured above...
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:39 AM.