leaf main I bolts.

[OU812]

I’ve never seen this happen before but, I was under the jeep last night and I noticed one of the nuts came off my front passenger leaf main I bolt. The bolt started walking out. It was late so I put it off one more day.

Is there a trick to getting the bushing lined up so I can get the bolt back in? I messed around with the jack trying to get it to line up with no success.

[peteyg]

BFH. Just pound that sucker back in, put a nut on it, and it's all good. 10 minutes, tops (that includes finding a nut).

[pdw]

I have had this problem before........There isn't an easy way to do this with the front shackle still attached. I have struggled with this before (floor jacks & ratchet straps) and ended up having my 200lbs, 6' tall son hang on the end of a 4' pry bar that was inserted into the front shackle. Not the easiest or safest thing to do.....

Unless somebody else has an easier method.....I would unbolt the front shackle and re-assemble the whole thing.

P.S. In order to cure the ever loosening bolt issue, I ended up drilling a hole in the threaded end of the bolt and putting a cotter-pin through it.

[pdw]

I have the same skid plate as you. Try putting a washer of appropriate size & thickness in between the frame and the skid plate. I have long suspected that the skid plate leverages against the nut as the frame flexes and loosens it over time.

[SAR Jeeper]

Easiest would be to undo the shackle end first. I've never had mine walk out, but my buddies did on his YJ.

[Roger]

I recommend that you replace the bolt & nut. It looks a little rusty.

As you install the new one, use the old one on the other side as a drift pin to help line it up. A large pipe wrench on the leaf spring can be used as leverage also to get it all lined up.

[2blk2drs]

if you dont want to take it all apart, try getting a line up bar (or a an appropriatly tapered punch) and tap that in from the other side. Then take an impact or ratchet and push HARD on the bolt while turning it clockwise. At the same time keep moving the bar to align the bolt, bushing and other side of the main EYE box. As the bolt grabs and catches work the bar back out. Take the nut off the otherside, and go get 2 new nuts. Top locks if you can, nylock if not, and another back up would be nice. I do like the cotter pin idea as posted by PDW. Why dont you go one better and get a castle nut? You can do it!

[OU812]

Looks like Ill be at fastenal on Saturday morning. I may have driven all the way home from Calico like this.

[2blk2drs]

Theres one in carlsbad! kinda in the weird centers by deli wishes!

[OU812]

I got my main EYE bolt in and a nylock nut on it. I had to take the skid plate off for now. We used a ratchet strap, a BFA, and two jacks to get the bolt lined up. Thank you for all the help guys.

[Roger]

Bfa?????

[OU812]

Bfa?????

Oops. That's just some iPhone auto correct nonsence. I ment BFH

[Roger]

I was trying to figure out how you fixed it with a "Big F***ing Axe!!

[inVERt'D]

A good set of coilovers should fix that problem!

[2blk2drs]

Some Big Friggen Arms!

The beach its thaaat way --->

Leafs never have problems what?