So I recently replaced my leafs with some of the replacement ones from Quadratec. All new leafs, shocks, ubolts, main bolts, etc. When I finished it, it all looked fine. Hand tightened, set her on the ground and tightened a bit more. Went for an easy 20-25mph drive around town ( a few miles) and torqued everything. Now, a week or so later, my wheels have migrated towards the back of the well. The distance from the front of the well to the front of the tire is 3 1/2", the rear distance measures 1 1/2", so its off by an inch. Doesnt sound like much, but it looks HUGE! Also, the rear is rubbing when going over bumps.

I just spent some time jacking her up and checking everything and all bolts are tight, shackles look fine, etc. Not sure whats going on. Anyone have an ideas or seen this before? Thanks!

 

something wrong with your center bolts on the leaf packscheck close even make sure they're the right part and centered correctly

 

Everything was measured, checked and rechecked before I installed them. Everything is correct. Thats why I cant understand whats going on.

 

and there on in the right direction?

 

Photo

 

leafs facing backwards?

 

Everything is on correctly. I lifted her up today and took a lot apart and made sure it was all correct. It is. Shackles are in the right place at the right angle, ubolts are correct, leafs are perched correctly, etc. Like I said, I also measured the center pins and they are the same as my old ones (in the same place on the same length leaf that is). One thing I dont understand is how it pushed everything back like this. Ive done leafs before (although not on an XJ) and this just doesnt make sense. Here is what it looks like:

 

maybe it could be a problem with the leaf springs themselves? not trying to be insulting but you have the large eye of the leaf spring towards the front of the car? Shackles are facing the right direction (i.e. front is forward?)? I would think it would cause problems with the drivetrain but is your axle rotated at all? This is an interesting one man...

 

Again, EVERYTHING is on correctly. Ive been working on vehicles for like 25 years now. I grew up building and racing stock cars. Im not stupid, although I know things can be put on wrong by mistake when hurrying, etc. I did put her back up on jack stands and re-checked everything to make sure it was all correct. IT IS. I can not understand what is going on here. I even re-measured the springs (as best I could without removing them) and everything is the same length and in the same place as the old ones. Im really confused here.

 

is the pinion on the axle still pointing up?

 

They are backwards....

 

I bet if you look at your slip yoke you will see the etching of the old position, it will be sticking out an inch or so.

 

Theyre not on backwards but thanks.

 

This has happened before. Take accurate measurements from the center bolt to the front and rear eyes. I bet you will find a difference. Leaf springs don't always get made right.

 

See, I measured that before I did the swap with an actual tape measure (like a flat & flexible tailors tape) and unless I measured wrong all three times, I came up with the same numbers. Im thinking now that Ill need to put it back up on jack stands, remove the wheels and undo the u-bolts & check not only the measurements for sure, but also if the diff has slipped upwards (because on our XJ's its supposed to be level, correct?) which would elongate the drive shaft, pushing it backwards, correct? Maybe the new leafs had an odd angle to them and I need a shim?