was changing the wheel cylinders and noticed this..

[rebel33382]

The axle popped out the axle leafspring pad. whats the best way to get it back in (easiest way)???

 

[Miss Kitten]

cut off the old ubolts, throw them out, get new ubolts and put the spring back on the perch, retighten new ubolts

DO NOT REUSE UBOLTS

 

[rebel33382]

are ubolts all the same???

 

[Miss Kitten]

no either take an old ubolt with you to get exact measurements or tell the parts guys what you are getting the ubolts for

you have to make sure that the diameter around the diff is correct as well as the correct length

 

[vincendebbie]

no either take an old ubolt with you to get exact measurements or tell the parts guys what you are getting the ubolts for
you have to make sure that the diameter around the diff is correct as well as the correct length

Those U-Bolts also have a torque setting on them. Not many people realize this and end up with the axel shifting. If you get me the year

of your vehicle I can find you the torque specs. (I work for FORD). ---Vince

 

[Yardape]

cut off the old ubolts, throw them out, get new ubolts and put the spring back on the perch, retighten new ubolts
DO NOT REUSE UBOLTS

Ditto, do not try and fix this the easy way. Whatever that way may be. There is one correct way and Miss Kitten nailed it. Dont try shifting it in place or loosening the bolts and re-tightening them. Do it right. Be safe.

 

[rebel33382]

On my old bronco, I put 2" lift blocks on top of some addaleafs and the ubolts fit fine that came with blocks. I remember it was not a custom kit, just good old 2" lift blocks from pepboys

 

[Yardape]

Yep thats the joys of lift blocks, you got lucky. That could easily have been a major mishap. Ive heard many stories of trucks with lift blocks having the blocks slip out and the diff turns sideways and the truck does a nice set of barrel rolls.

 

[Roadkill]

Ha-Ha Yardape! That was no fun ride either, bud. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Rebel,

From that photo, it looks like you've got problems other than just the u-bolts. The factory wedge is missing also. The "wedge" is a small block that is tapered from about 2" tall in the rear to about 1" in the front. It should be present between the spring and the axle. It's purpose is to keep your differential pointed at the transfer case to maintain proper pinion angle. It looks like the other block may be present on the other side since your axle is rotated downward in the back a little bit to expose that alignment pin. But reguardless if the other one is in or not, you need both to be present for the truck to operate properly and safely.

I'll look around and see if I can find a photo of an axle with the block properly installed.

Edit:

That reply is assuming that you have the original rear end. If the axle has been changed at some point, then all of what i wrote could be wrong.