Leaf Spring install?

[Hedgehog]

I'm a little embarrassed about this, but I can't remember how they go. My '75 CJ5 rear leaf springs have two spring alignment brackets (don't know the correct name) on one side of the axle and one on the other. Which goes toward the rear or front? This should be easy to find, but I'm drawing a blank in a search. Some springs have only two, one on each side. Others don't really show what is needed. If you have an intermediate jeep ('72-'75) could you peak underneath and check this out for me?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

IF, there is a different spring eye diameter from one end to the next. The larger of the 2, goes to the main frame hanger.
Can you post a picture or 2??
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

The spring eyes are identical. nothing special in these springs. Both ends are basically identical with the exception of one end having 1 clamp that keeps the springs aligned and the other has 2. I suppose the difference is in that one end is held with a simple eye and the other is allowed to move on a shackle.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Bet the 2 clamp is for the shackle end.
LG

 

[Torxhead]

I think you are going to have to call a spring maker on this one, Hedge. If possible, find the guy who made it.

 

[Hedgehog]

Not a bad idea, unfortunately AMC s out of business.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Which end of the spring, is the axle center bolt closer to?
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Good question, it appears to be in the middle. Tonight I'll have to measure. If there is a difference which end (the shackle or the hanger) gets the longer spring side?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

My SWAG would be for the 'short' side of the spring be mounted to the ridged frame mount.
NOT SURE-
LG

 

[Torxhead]

Not a bad idea, unfortunately AMC s out of business.

Maybe so, but a spring maker could tell you more about it. I do like Lumpy's suggestion though.

 

[Posi]

The pin should be in the middle 22-1/16" a side, similar to the 76 and up
I would install the clamp on shackle side as mentioned. The clamp would be on the movement side.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

HH-PLEASE post some pictures of these springs
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

But Lumpy, they are just your standard looking leaf springs. I'll stop on at Willys Works tonight and find out what Rob thinks. You suggestion on spring lengths is a good one, no matter what I'm going to measure the springs out of curiosity if nothing else.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Just post the pictures I'll let ya know what I'm look'n for then.

LG

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Waiting-

LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Talked to my go to guy on most things Jeep, Rob. Man, I honestly thought this would be a simple question. As it turns out the springs are not stock, even though they look it. The give away is the rivet holding the clamp. Stock springs don't have the rivet. Then he took me out to his stack of springs. There were all kinds of spring sets. Some were thin like mine, some were fat, some were fat with different sized spring eyes with the wider ends going toward the hanger. As it turned out there were many sets with a one/two configuration. The odd part was that there was no consistency in clamp orientation. Rob's thought on the matter was, "the front of the spring under load would tend to open up the stack, so it would make sense to have an extra clamp in the front." Since there seems to be no consensus on the subject I'll lean toward Rob's idea that they should go in the front. Also a tiny part of my already tiny brain remembers only one clamp where it's easy to see, in the back.

BTW - the spring stack bolt is in the very middle of the springs (Yes, all of them).

 

[Lumpy Grits]

You mean the extra clamp towards the shackle-'rite'?
That does makes sense --
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Nope, the other way around with the extra towards the hanger or front. Under power the axle would want to wind forward, loading the rear of the spring stack (tightening it up)and unloading the front (effectively opening it up).

 

[caveman]

Nope, the other way around with the extra towards the hanger or front. Under power the axle would want to wind forward, loading the rear of the spring stack (tightening it up)and unloading the front (effectively opening it up).

Stop and think this out again.

 

[Hedgehog]

I have thought this out! Obviously folks don't agree with me on this. So, I want to put the burden on you, show me the error in my thinking. Remember that I just got don't looking at over a dozen sets of springs with the double clamps being about equally one way or the other, also to narrow down what someone is going to say, all of them were rear springs.