Reinstalling rear axle

[D.R.Y.]

HI A quick question before I proceed with re installing my rear axle and leaf springs..

Is it easier to first install the leaf spring then attach the axles to them.
or
assemble the axle and leaf springs then in re install onto farm?

 

[Casey4wd]

My preference is leaf springs to frame and then axle to leaf springs.

 

[duffymahoney]

I also did leaf spring to frame then then I rolled the axle under. I did it by myself at it took about an hour. Not too bad!

 

[Apogee]

Much easier to hang the springs first, then lift the rear end up to them with a floor jack, otherwise the rear just wants to dance around on the jack.

 

[D.R.Y.]

Thanks guys. It looked like the way to go. Will post photos when I .'m done

 

[sprdv1]

Thanks guys. It looked like the way to go. Will post photos when I .'m done

Good luck, have a beverage and take you time

 

[D.R.Y.]

Got done, have everything bolted up loosely. Just need to cut off tops of u bolts.
Went pretty smooth took just under one hour.(post photo tomorrow)

 

[dave67fd]

Your U-bolts should have been properly sized for the springs you used. You shouldn't cut the bolt heads off.

 

[D.R.Y.]

Thanks for the advice dave67fd.
I think they shipped me the extra long u bolts by mistake. So I have 3 1/2 - 4 inches of thread showing above each nut. (you can see it in the photos)

 

[dave67fd]

Thanks for the advice dave67fd.
I think they shipped me the extra long u bolts by mistake. So I have 3 1/2 - 4 inches of thread showing above each nut. (you can see it in the photos)

With the longer U bolts I would be more concerned that you don't have enough thread length to properly torque them.

Did you buy them from one of the vendors here? Regardless, if they sent you the wrong bolts (unless you specified them) you/they should replace them.

 

[camp9k]

Just did this yesterday to pick up a tub/frame w/o axles...we wanted one on the back for loading...installed the frame mounted part of the leaf on first, the the shackle and like said before used a floor jack to move the spring into place and did the sprig to shackle last. BTW ...We did not have an axle on it at the time. Also...it sure helps when the Rancher you bought it from has a forklift you can use when your floor jack cant get it high enough to get your roller axle under! Good luck and check to see you got threads under your plates....

 

[D.R.Y.]

Sweet.
I posted a picture of the u bolts.... Cut them down or not???

 

[camp9k]

Sweet.
I posted a picture of the u bolts.... Cut them down or not???

lots of threads left! your good!!

 

[Blue Bastard]

Buzz them off

 

[redwards69]

Buzz them off

Agreed! Cut them down.

 

[Crush]

Dave67fd
Not always do the u bolts come to the exact size. I ordered some sero rate blocks to allow me to move my axel back 1.5" i also oredered new top plates and ublots at the same time from the same place. He uses u bolts with the correct diameter as the axel tube you specify but the threads run from stock height size and are long enough that if you are putting a 4" block or running thicker spring packs then you have enough the be able to use them. So if you have a bunch extra sticking up then you cut them off. The center pin that comes with the zero rate is extra long also. So they all need to be cut off