So, I'm in the middle of installing a lift and I am running into an issue with the rear u-bolts. When I get the u-bolton the axle, the ends of the u-bolt are spread out to the point that they wont fit on the upper plate. I was able to get a u-bolt on each side of the rear axle on by using a spring compressor to compress the u-bolt enough to to get the spring plate on, but that trick wont work on the other u-bolt. I need some other tricks to get the u-bolt compressed enough to get it through the plate so I can torque them down and move to the front end of the lift. Any suggestions would be greatly appreceated.

 

Sounds like you have the wrong u-bolts and possibly plates. Depending on the type of rear axle you have will determine the u-bolt size.

What yr XJ? Do you know which rear axle you have?

 

What he said...verify your axle, and make sure your kit came with the proper u-bolts/plates/etc

 

X3

 

My Jeep is a 1999. I believe I have the 8.25 rear axle. The spring plates i'm using are the stock plates. I'm wondering if the u-bolts are in fact the wrong size. I had to really work to get the u-bolts on. I'm thinking that they are the wrong size. Thanks for the info.

 

Auto parts sell lowering kits . The u bolts fit 8.25 perfect .... https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...Fc4DhgodvQUERA

 

Talked with the shop where I bought my lift. We made some calls, and the kit was shipped out with Dana 30 u-bolts. Rubicon express will put some in the mail and get them to me ASAP. Should work much better with the correct U-bolts. thanks for the help guys.

 

Glad you got it sorted, kinda thought that was the issue. Just so you know it's a Dana 35, not 30

 

The Cherokees came with three options for rear axle (only two options by 99): Dana 35 (junk), Dana 44 (strong, rare-ish, only in older models), and the 8.25".

 

I bought the ones from autozone for mine when I installed lift leaf springs. I believe it says on the box what they fit. They were only about $20 and fit great with plenty of thread left to go up through the plates.

 

Not saying you are wrong but they had Dana 30's under YJ's lol. So it's still a slight possibility that he got YJ u bolts. Lol

 

True. Thanks for pointing that out, you *****, LOL

 

I got whatever Rubicon Express sees with their 5.5" extreme long arm kit. I needed to have them swap out the 8.25 u-bolts, but missed that when I ordered the kit.