Leaf Spring

I am having to replace the passenger rear leaf spring on the cj5. It's cracked. The leaf spring that is there is a 9 leaf pack. My plan is to replace both sides, along with new u bolts, bushings, shocks. Would it hurt anything to jump down to the 7 leaf pack in the rear? (Cost being the main factor)

 

Shouldn't hurt anything except, maybe, a difference in ride height front to back. The 9 leaf packs should be stiffer and maybe provide a higher ride than the 7s.

 

The fronts are only 5 leaf packs

 

you didn't say what year jeep is . but most likely the springs are shot . I would replace all and shocks

 

Usually the fronts are heavier than the rears... more weight.

There has been some discussion of Dayton springs (on RockAuto) and General Spring General Spring | Shop Leaf Springs | OEM Heavy Duty Replacement Leaf Springs lately, but no reports as I recall. The Jeep retailers mostly handle the Omix springs, which typically get bad reviews.

My CJ-6 came with 7 on the front and 5 on the rear. There were a lot of different combinations, and Jeep offered standard (like my 7 and 5) and optional heavy duty springs and shocks. Fairly certain there were never 5-leaf fronts from the factory.

I agree with Ron - replace them all unless you're really short of money.

 

My jeep was used to pull tram loads of people around a local historical park. So I assume the rear was increased to a 9 leaf pack for the extra weight. From going through this things I think the mechanic just grabbed whatever parts he could find to put on it to fix it so that could be why there are 5 leaf packs on the front. I will take your advice and just replace all of them, better to be safe than sorry. Probably just go with 7 leafs front and rear.

 

So assuming springs are shot, when you put new springs on, what do you see other than a return to what presumably factory ride height? Softer or harsher ride? More to worry in a turn or less? Etc?

 

I'm not sure what you are asking? I'm not expecting to gain anything by replacing the spring, just to make the jeep driveable is all

Its a 1967 btw

 

I guess your situation is you already have broken. I guess my question is based on replacing all springs even the ones not broken. Mine is more of a generic question.

 

You're asking if it's ok to replace the 9 leaf pack with a 7 leaf pack. Yes - no problem. The 7 leaf pack would probably ride and flex a bit better. If you end up with rear not level with the front you can make small adjustments by changing shackles.

 

After talking with a couple of my mechanic friends and browsing here, I will probably go ahead and replace all 4, I will just have to save up the money to do so. Might as well do it so I know I don't have to do it later, one of the fronts looks like it's having issues also.

 

The new springs will come with new bushings. That said, look at your bushings in the frame brackets. Might as well do them while it's apart.

 

I have already ordered a suspension master bushing set from rock auto. This was before I found out I needed to replace that spring. Thanks for the advice