Leaf Spring install nightmare

Hey guys,

Yesterday a few buddies and I attempted to swap out my leaf springs. Normally this is a rather simple feat, but for us it turned into a nightmare...

I have Atlas expedition leaf springs that are 2 inches over stock height. We could not for the life of us get them to mount from the front spring mount to the rear shackle. We thought maybe drop shackles would help so I bought 2 inch drop shackles from the local Autozone only to find out that they smack my frame. It might be helpful to mention that I do not have stock hangers, I'm running Archive Garage hangers with stock shackles.

Anyone on here have any advice on how to install my new leaf springs? Also, if I do get them on, would my rear be significantly higher than my front? (I have only icon UCA's and King 2.5 coilovers up front)

Thank you in advance!

 

Maybe @Bishop84 or @WarFab Armor ?

 

What do you mean “couldn’t get them to mount”? Holes didn’t line up or you physically couldn’t get them in place? Pics might help.

 

Are you sure Atlas sent you the correct leafsprings?

 

Yes, I phone ordered them. I mean they say they are correct for my year? Not sure how else to truly check if they are correct. I'm assuming due to the 2inch lift they do not easily mount from front mount to rear shackle.

 

Not entirely sure of the measurement but with the front spring mount bolted in, the rear mount if roughly half a foot from my rear shackle. Now I don't have a lift, so we were attempting this with jacks and jack stands and my brake lines were still connected. My lines were fairly stretched (with some play) so if I were to lower my axle even more, I would be concerned. Thusly making me wonder if I need drop shackles or something else entirely.

 

Are you running Archive garage hammer hangers or their old shackle flip kit?

 

I have the Hammer Hangers with OEM shackles.

 

I unfortunately have no pics from our attempt. With the front part of the leaf spring bolted in the front mount, the rear mount of the leaf spring is roughly 4-6 inches in front of my rear shackle and hanger. My buddies and I thought we could bend it back to mount it but it's just too much to bend.

 

6 inches short = a lost girlfriend

6 inches short = wrong springs

 

You think so? How would I even go about that with Atlas? Their customer service wasn't the best to begin with.

 

I was able to do my Deaver stage 2s by myself

 

You likely needed to drop the axle even more, unbolt the brake lines

 

Uhm...not sure what this has to do with anything. The springs aren't even attached to the axle at this point. Okay...well they SHOULDN'T be. You would mount them to both spring hangers first, then attach the axle back.

I agree - 6 inches short is the wrong spring.

 

Drop the axle further. Shackle on the leaf first and in the hanger first. Slide the front in. Use a ratchet strap around the axle to pull it forward if needed. There's a nice hole in the frame to attach to, or use your sliders if you got them.

 

The brake lines are attached to the rear axle by way of a mounting bracket. Remove the 12mm head bolt from the axle, pull up on the brake lines slightly. This will give the rear lines more room to stretch.

Here:

 

everytime i've swapped springs I get the front mounted first and then the rear in to the shackles before bolting on to the axles. So you need to droop your axle enough so that the spring isn't touching it.

But it sure sounds like your springs are too short... or possibly have so much arch in them that the mounts don't line up, which still isn't right.

 

It sounds like you have the wrong springs. It should be obvious by comparing them side-by-side the stock springs you took off. They should have the same eye-to-eye distance. Someone correct me if I am wrong. I've installed leafs just once before and it was 1.5 years ago. It was a PITA getting everything to line up, but nothing like 6" off.

 

Do you have pictures of original vs new. They should be essentially the same length. My new spring on top, original on bottom.

 

If the axle was pushing on the leaf spring, wouldn't that extend the ends because you're compressing the spring? Not make it too short?

I guess that would be a SOA setup though...not SUA.