How important are the u-shaped brackets on leaf packs?

Hey folks,

I have a newish set of leafs on my 2nd gen but the u shaped retainer is bumping my jd fab frame braces. It would be easier to just cut it off rather than relocate the bolt hole and grind down the top a bit. Do I need it? Just the front one in the pic.

thanks!

 

Is there another clamp holding the leaves at the rear of the spring? If so, you should be able to remove the front one without issue (only one is really needed to prevent the leaves from splaying out).

 

Yeah there’s 4 on each leaf pack, 2 in front of the axle and 2 behind.

 

You should be good to delete it.

 

Is the bracket or the bolt hitting? If its the bolt could you flip the bolt/nut around so the bolt isn't sticking out as much. If its the bracket could you flip the bracket upside down?

 

as long as you have one behind it to the axle, shouldn't be any issue removing it. It just works to keep the leafs straight.
You could also alternatively just cut off the upper part of the "ears" so that it doesn't hit, but still sort of locates the leafs at ride height

 

The bracket is doing the touching but I think the bracket is merely tacked on. I like that idea of flipping, might give it a shot otherwise I’ll delete and see if it causes problems.

 

Shave it down instead of removing it all together. I have the RXT leaf packs and I don't have the bolts in any of the leaf keepers.