Jeep Cherokee Rear Leaf Springs

Here is a write up for the removal and installation of the rear leaf springs on a Jeep Cherokee. I hope I give enough information for somebody to read what I have wrote and be able to do it themselves and avoid the problems that I faced.

This really is a very straight forward thing to do. All you do is remove the old and install the new. Sounds easy right? The biggest source of trouble is the removal of the old stuff. Bolts can be seized and rusted which makes things very difficult.

Tools:
PB Blaster
1/2" drive socket set
Various sized pipes for leverage
Crescent wrenches
Hammer
Wire Cutters
Bit of grease

May need:
Angle grinder or Dremel
Punching bag




LIFT THE REAR
I would suggest lifting the rear so that the whole axle hangs.




Put a floor jack under the differential to support the axle when it is not connected to the leafs.



REMOVE BOLTS
This is the fun part for some Cherokees that have been subject to rust and corrosion.

NOTE: Make sure you have sprayed them down with PB Blaster. Try to get the nut that is welded to the body by spraying into the little hole in the frame.


REMOVE THE SHACKLE
Remove these bolts too... don't forget the PB Blaster.





NOTE: Sometimes the bolt that goes through the bushing gets rust welded inside the metal sleeve of the leaf spring end and is very difficult to remove. If this happens you will need to cut the bolt out of the leaf spring.





REMOVE THE U-BOLTS
These are no fun to remove. They are usually corroded and it is hard to move a nut over a corroded bolt.

NOTE: Since you aren't or shouldn't use these bolts again, it might be easiest to just use an angle grinder and cut them off.









REMOVE THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER

Just remove the bolts and pull them off.












NOTE: Many people have had trouble removing these bolts. They get corroded and then when they don't turn with a ratchet they can break off. Make sure you spray these very very well. If you do break these there are some writeups that I have seen to fix it but it is not a fun process.


EVERYTHING REMOVED






INSTALL NEW LEAF
Put the new leaf in place on top of the pin. I would suggest putting the front part in first and flexing the leaf to fit the back part.

NOTE: Do this before you install your shackle so you have room.
NOTE: You may need to lower your axle a little with the floor jack. Make sure you keep an eye on your brake line and don't lower the axle too far.


TIGHTEN UP THE U-BOLTS
Center the leaf on the pin and tighen all the bolts.





BOLT UP THE FRONT FIRST

IMPORTANT NOTE: Dont tighten all the leaf bolts and shackle bolts until it is completely installed and wheels are on and it is lowered back on the ground. That way it is more "in place" when it is tightened.




BOLT UP THE SHACKLE END
Put the shackle in first.




NOTE: It is helpful to use a prybar to help align the leafs bolt and nutt






Here i it is installed





INSTALL THE SHOCKS








Once the shocks are intalled you can put on your wheels and lower the Jeep Cherokee.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure you tighten all the bolts now that the Jeep is lowered and the weight is on the suspension.