Leaf Spring Cantered?

So first item I am tackling is replacing what appears to be the original leaf springs with a Pro Comp 2 1/2” lift to clear the 32’s a bit better and give it a better ride. When I did the rear replacement, the drivers side leaf spring is cantered to the left for some odd reason. Is that ok? Will it settle out over time? How would I “fix” it?

 

Canted, as in tilted.

Pic would be good.

 

This is the passenger side

 

There is no way that your drivers side spring is attached solidly to the axle.....

 

Looks like the outside u-bolt was fully tightened before the inside. Support the vehicle by the frame and let the springs and axle hang. Loosen the u-bolts and then tighten them evenly a little at a time. If that’s not it, the spring pad on the axle is damaged as mentioned above.

 

It looks to me like something is not right where the spring comes together with the spring pad on the axle. Is the spring center bolt engaged with the hole in the spring pad? I have seen aftermarket springs where the diameter of the spring bolt is larger than stock - you would need to change the center bolt to something smaller or open up the hole in the axle spring pad to allow them to engage.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking.

 

Nothing to add.

 

We need a close up picture of the area where the spring is bolted to the axle spring pad.

 

Set the frame on Jack stands.
Loosen all attachment bolts.
Align up, then tighten up.
And be sure the center bolt fits inside of hole.

 

Thanks, I will try that this evening. And grab a few more close up pix of shackles and mounts. 1 thing I forgot to mention is that the new U-bolts are larger than the originals, I had to ream the spring plate holes from 7/16 to 1/2 inch, which made the U-bolts angle not perpendicular like the originals.

 

When you enlarge holes in the spring plates, you should not just drill them out. Take your round file or die grinder and enlarge them to the outside so that the u-bolt remains vertical, like the original.

If you can't get the springs to mount at level, I'd suggest purchasing new spring plates and u-bolts of the right diameter. Whose lift is this? You should complain that your original bolts are 7/16" and the replacements they provided are the wrong size.

 

I know with my BDS suspension kit it came with 1/2” u-bolts so elongating the spring pad holes was necessary. Not a difficult job to do, just a bit time consuming. You can not just drill the holes larger, like Tim mentions above.

 

Today’s update: So the other two shocks showed up for the front. I thought I would “knock those out” and then work on correcting the rear spring situation. Don’t know if I’m happy or mad or just laughing at my luck. I was killing it with the removal of the front passenger side leaf spring. Just making great time as compared to the weekend job on the rear. I loosen the final nut on the Ubolts and “THWACK” the leaf spring drops hard and smacks my hand but good! Very happy I always wear gloves. After I catch my breath, I look for the problem and below is what I see.... So, this will put a little hinder on my time tables. Going to have to find a welder when I get back to town in 2 weeks. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy they say... To be continued...

 

Well now you know why it was crooked. I’d have a look at all your spring hangers. I’m sure you are but just saying.

 

Actually it’s the rear’s that are cantered, but I will most definetly be looking at all of them for cracks etcetera.

 

Did you check the spring and make sure it is centered on the axle pad as stated above?