DIRTDOGXJ

Like the title says....I'm putting on my new leafs. The sleeve is locked on the bolt in the front passenger side bushing.....any ideas on how to get this off?????

My wrenching partner bailed on my and this is my DD......any help is appreciated.

Bossokee

Cut the bolt

greengoblin

i cut the old leaf eye apart then cut the rubber off and use a torch to heat the sleeve. i used an impact to free the bolt while holding the sleeve with a pair of vice grips. or you can cut the bolt on both sides of the leaf springs and use a pair of pliers to work out the rest of the old bolt. but then you need a new bolt.

DIRTDOGXJ

Cutting the bolt is a worst case scenario. I doubt I'd be able to find one tonight.

DIRTDOGXJ

If I do end up cutting the bolt, does anyone know the length and thread size I will need to replace it?

Dan91

It's a specialty bolt with a step-up and nipple. I searched all around town (small town though, called about 15 places) and no one except the dealer had these bolts I had to shell out 7.50 a piece for them and wait a day for shipping. They are 14x120mmx2.0mm thread pitch. I believe they are class 12.9 metric anyways which most places don't carry.

DIRTDOGXJ

Ughhh.....this is why I use way too much grease/anti seize on everything .....

Dan91

Same haha, everything I do on my XJ gets a nice slathering of anti-seize for future ease.

jbsjunk

I do this along with turning the bolt after everything is cut and find the part of the sleeve where it is joined and chisel it open to free it up.

wormdrink

The best way I found to do it too. It saves you from breaking the tacks on the nut inside the frame, which opens up a whole new set of problems.

sportrider

lots of penetrating oil, then just let an impact do the work. I just went through is when I lifted mine last week. the sleeve was spinning in the bushing I soaked it a while then just spun it with an impact wrench till it got enough heat in it to break loose.

DIRTDOGXJ

Well......I finally gave up last night. I hosed everything down with PB for the thirty seventh time and went home. I stopped at the Jeep dealership this morning and ordered all new hardware.

When arrived at my shop this morning, I grabbed my sawzall and went to town. 15 minutes later, my leafs were out. I just wish I would've bought new hardware from the get go. Would've saved 3 hours work and a lot of cursing. Oh well.....

Thanks for the help everyone .......