you need to buy a shorter center pin. a standard "bolt" won't do... don't skimp here!

-Rob

Why is that? My 63" chevy rears use what appears to be a regualar looking cap screw and nut. Tonight I just bought a grade 8 cap screw (bolt) and nut for my front springs assuming it would be fine. My original ones broke upon removal after the few years I ran them, so its not like they were indistructible or anything.

And to Bill I think I either bought new centerpins or they came with the leaves when I did mine.

as long as you go grade 8, allen head bolts should be alright I believe. Just make sure the allen head fits snugly in the spring pad hole... you don't want any slop there.

-Rob

Pretty sure that's basically what you get when you order the pins from Matt. Been a while since I got mine, but seems like they were just regular allen head bolts. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I've used a allen head before, but the head is usually alot smaller that the center pin hole in the spring mount. Another option is to use a hex head bolt, and grind the head until it fits.

I ended up grinding the hole out on the axle instead, it sits in there pretty snug, without any play. I figured that if I ground the head of the bolt, I would have to continue doing so every time I messed around with the leaves. SO I ground out the hole to fit the head of the bolt perfectly.

Well I just finished, the overload leafs gave me the biggest problem, it had crappy hardware and I ended up cutting them off. I was slow going with just myself and once my buddy got here who had no idea about leaf springs, things moved along faster. I found it easier, once you have the axle removed from the leaves, jack it up and set it up on jack stands, install the leafs, then lower your axle down onto the leafs, that way you can torque it whichever way you need to, to make it fall into place. If you would like a write up, I can do one really easy since it is still fresh. I am pretty particlar as well.
But I however do have a new question, one that somewhat concerns me. While I was doing the front, the bolt on the left of the Isuzu for the torsion bars was extremely tough, I even had to use my trusty pipe for my socket wrench. But the left side was really really easy, I was able to do it with just the socket wrench by itself. Now keep in mind, I sprayed each side once a day for three straight days with PB blaster, making sure it was well coated. Is this normal, or do I have a problem waiting to happen?

Next is a body lift, I think there are ten points under the Amigo, but not positive. I think I am going to do a 2" lift.

The t-bar adjusting bolt is a fine thread fitting and its location makes it very suceptible to corrosion. I would think that as long as everything is still intact you are fine. You are very lucky as mine had to be adjusted with a 4' breaker bar and I broke several wrenches doing it. This is with a butane torch and pb blaster. Most people think there is a problem because they *cant* turn the bolt...

Hard turning t-bar adjusters isn't that unusual. Having one that turns easy is probably more uncommon. I broke one of the adjuster bolts on my truck when I cranked the torsion bars. Lucky for me I was thinking ahead enough to have the frame on blocks while I broke them loose. I don't know how low it would have gone, but I don't think I would have wanted to be under the truck with the wrench when it let loose. I'm not that burly of a guy and I managed to snap it with just a 1/2" drive 24" breaker bar, so I imagine it was ready to break pretty much any time.

In short, if it turns easy or hard, count your blessings.

Well, I figured I would give you some eye candy. Now that the lift is finished, I went a put some 33x12.5x15 on her, and for some reason, with the rims that I have, there is absolutely no rubbing at all.



Also the following pics are a set of 31x10.5x15's and rims that I picked up on Craigslist the other day for $250.


This way, I can have a set for offroad, and a set for driving around town to save gas mileage. Next, I am going to make some DIFF-DROP brackets for her.

I will get better pics for ya'll when there is more light outside, but here in the Seattle area, it might be awhile (always cloudy).