These had bolts with spacers going through them, I installed an AAL and now the bolts don't fit. What exactly is the purpose of these?

 

They are spring leaf alignment clips. They keep the leaves from wiggling out of alignment

 

Thanks. I tried running smaller bolts and they are tight against the springs, I'm thinking they will bind them up. If that is it's only purpose it seems like the bolts aren't really necessary then?

 

You can get aftermarket replacements that just bolt around the springs...they look like this

 

The leafs will "fan out" without those clamps. you NEED clamps there. the ones shown by other poster should work. I installed a short add a leaf in my spring stack, and it was too short to engage the clamp, so I added extra clamps, four total per spring rather than two per spring. You dont want your springs to fan out.

also be sure to really tighten the heck out of the U bolt nuts, see factory spec for torque value. some say that U bolts and nuts are one use items, other do reuse them. I bought over sized U bolts for my rig, and clamped the heck out of them, I got a Ford nine inch axle. One mine the force was so huge that it bent the 3/8 inch thick spring /U bolt mount plate, so I made one out of 3/4 inch plate, no bending!

Also, you maybe able to slot that hole in your clamp using a round file or dremel. If you move the hole up with slotting it, then a bolt may pass thru if you got enough room for the slot, looks like you might have the room. that clamp you got is much sturdier than the sheet metal ones shown by other
poster. I run both stock heavy clamp and the sheet metal after market types on ky springs, two each side stock clamps, two each side sheet metal after market clamps.

For me, Id slot the stock clamp hole if there is room AND add the sheet metal clamps too. the sheet metal clamps alone may still spread open and allow the leafs to fan out. the more goofy off angle articulation the axles goes thru, the most force there is to fan the leafs out, so multible clamps can help .

 

Thank you for the detailed explanation. How tight are those clamps supposed to be around the springs? Mine have 3 thick clamps per spring, held on by very heavy rivets. The original bolts had a sleeve and were not real tight against the spring. I tried some smaller bolts and a few went through ok but 1 or 2 were real tight against the spring and 1 I couldn't even get through the holes. Maybe I'm wrong (and often am) but it seems like if those are too tight against the springs they will bind them up and they won't be able to travel? I'm thinking since the clamps are already held in place there's no need for the bolts and they will keep the springs from fanning out? Any input would be appreciated.

 

They won't bind them up. Some types of clips, like the stamped sheetmetal one above go on tight. The leaves rub on each other anyway. You can weld a strap across the top, weld on extensions or leave them as is

 

Every so often raise the car off the leafs, take load off, pressure wash between leafs, once dry spray with silicone lubricant between each leaf. They will last longer and stay quiet. Careful not to spray brakes with silicone!!

 

that's a great idea that i never think of doing /\