CJ7 Rear Leaf mounting points

[Ledhead104]

Can Anyone confirm the distance o/c that the rear springs are apart on a CJ7 .

I am working on new shackle hangers and want to make sure i have everything lined up properly.

One source i have found says the springs are 36" just wanted to confirm that is correct since i got three different measurements. Below are the measurements i took before [FONT=&quot]disassembly[/FONT].

Rear Springs (all measurements o/c)
At Spring Hanger - 35-1/2"
Spring perch to spring perch on axle - 36"
Rear shackle Hangers 35-3/4"

 

[gert]

Jeep® Parts Manuals online this is the link to the 82 FSM it has all the mesurments

 

[BusaDave9]

Rear Springs (all measurements o/c)
At Spring Hanger - 35-1/2"
Spring perch to spring perch on axle - 36"
Rear shackle Hangers 35-3/4"

If the spring perch to spring perch is 36" on the axles then I would think you would want both ends of the springs to also be 36" apart.

 

[mylittlecj5]

 

[CJim7]

If the spring perch to spring perch is 36" on the axles then I would think you would want both ends of the springs to also be 36" apart.

I would have thought that too...but I've noticed a trend in a lot of CJ's, mine included, is the frame mounts appear to be inward from the axle mounts causing the shackles to bow out slightly...like this looking from the rear: // \\

I measured and measured, and figured out it's a either a factory discrepancy or it's by design for some reason or another. At any rate, I've seen it on more then just a few.

 

[BusaDave9]

I would have thought that too...but I've noticed a trend in a lot of CJ's, mine included, is the frame mounts appear to be inward from the axle mounts causing the shackles to bow out slightly...like this looking from the rear: // \\

I agree but from the looks of Ledhead104's numbers it sounds like his frame is narrower (front and rear) than his axle perches.

Rear Springs (all measurements o/c)
At Spring Hanger - 35-1/2"
Spring perch to spring perch on axle - 36"
Rear shackle Hangers 35-3/4"

 

[CJim7]

I agree but from the looks of Ledhead104's numbers it sounds like his frame is narrower (front and rear) than his axle perches.

So any idea why they did that? Suppose they were trying to lessen sheer points due to body roll?

 

[BusaDave9]

Let's double and triple check the measurements.
When it comes to welding on suspension parts you want to do it right the first time.

EDIT: actually much of this may be because of the way these measurements were made. The frame mounts for the springs have bushings. The spring perches don't.
That may account for the difference.

Maybe we should measure from the center of the spring to the center of the spring at each mount.

 

[Ledhead104]

Thanks for all the info everyone,

I was assuming factory discrepancy....or 27 years of being fiddled with, who knows.

The spring perches are pretty much done so they will have to be replaced and the shackle hangers are being relocated. So the easiest would be to match everything to the front hanger...unless it was supposed to be like that.

 

[Ledhead104]

Took another look at it, i think part of the discrepancy might be coming from my measurements, for the front hangers i measured the inside edge to outside edge on the opposite, coming up with 35-1/2". The hangers look like they are bent in a bit one side measures 2-7/8 and the other 2-7/8 on the inside (should be 3"). That will make up for the 1/4 difference between the shackle hanger and spring hanger.

That just leaves the 1/4" difference between the spring perches and the hangers.