Bent leaf and shock mount brackets

[Canadian Barton]

My guess is someone changed the leaf springs to a 5 leaf but didn’t change the brackets. When they installed the thicker leaf pack they just torqued the he double hockey sticks out of the u bolts and bent the brackets. I was about to replace the bushings on the sway bar but can’t get a wrench on the top nut.

Does anyone know if there was a different leaf/shock bracket for installing more leafs or should a guy just add spacers. Have a look at the pictures and let me know what you see.

 

[Twisted_Metal]

The bolts on the differential side of the axle tube should be "T" bolts.
You don't need to get a wrench inside the bracket.
(Unless someone used regular hex head bolts.)

If that's the case...
Cut the old hardware off.
Flatten the bracket in a press.
Replace the rubber cushion.
Replace the "T" bolts or use another "U" bolt. (Which may require relocating the brake line clip.)
Add a washer or two as spacers.

I don't think the bracket was different for different spring packs as the 4 leaf pack is just as thick because the individual leaves are thicker.

 

[Fbird]

^^^^ yup on all that^^
You should end up with about 1/8" gap when you slightly snug up your lower plate...anything more you add washers to take up the gap. The spring mount bushings work well with about 1/8 crush.

 

[Canadian Barton]

Thanks Twisted and Fbird, all makes sense to me. Just seemed like the gap between the upper and lower bracket would be 1/2" or more so I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Good opportunity to drop the rear end and clean it up.

 

[Twisted_Metal]

Uh Oh... The "While I'm At It" syndrome is kicking in.

Good luck with the brake lines and the other spring hardware!
You can't pull the differential with the springs fastened at the ends.

Getting the lines out of the rear cylinders can be a problem and you may end up replacing them and rebuilding rear brakes.
And cleaning/painting everything that's exposed with the rear end removed...
Before you know it, you're considering a different gear set and everything required to set that up correctly.

Winter is almost over.
The spring hardware shown is quick and easy to change if you want to be ready to drive it when the snow/salt is finally gone.

 

[Canadian Barton]

It's like you know me...

Uh Oh... The "While I'm At It" syndrome is kicking in.

Good luck with the brake lines and the other spring hardware!
You can't pull the differential with the springs fastened at the ends.

Getting the lines out of the rear cylinders can be a problem and you may end up replacing them and rebuilding rear brakes.
And cleaning/painting everything that's exposed with the rear end removed...
Before you know it, you're considering a different gear set and everything required to set that up correctly.

Winter is almost over.
The spring hardware shown is quick and easy to change if you want to be ready to drive it when the snow/salt is finally gone.

 

[Fbird]

WHILE IT'S OUT...lol

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btw I can make you a deal on a pr of u-bolts!!!! I ordered from ^^ wrong size for ME as I evidently drilled mine out for 1/2" 30 yrs ago... PM me