HOW TO MEASURE LEAF SPRINGS
Accurately measure you current leaf springs to determine what springs you need, and to ensure a proper, safe fit.
A: Measure across the leaf surface, from the center of one eye to the center of the other.
B: Measure the width of the leaf, on the leaf surface, at the widest point.
C: Measure from the surface of the leaf spring, at the nut, to a point where it intersects a line drawn through the center of both eyes.
D: Measure the pack thickness, from the surface of the top of the pack to the surface of the bottom of the pack.
Please note that when replacing leaf springs the removed U-bolts should NEVER be placed back onto the vehicle; they should be thrown away. Suspension u-bolts are manufactured with a smooth rolled thread, while the mating hi-nuts are manufactured with sharp cut threads. When a u-bolt is tightened to its recommended torque level, the u-bolt threads stretch as they mate with the hi-nuts. Although it is not always visible to the naked eye, this damages the threads. Removed the hi-buts from the u-bolt will cause a cross-threading that will not allow the u-bolt to be adequately re-torqued.
A common practice in most maintenance facilities is to use an impact wrench to tighten u-bolts. Consistent, accurate torque is next to impossible to obtain with an impact wrench, and in most cases an over-torqued fastener is the result. We recommend using a torque wrench when installing u-bolts. New u-bolts should be torqued after two (2) weeks of usage.
