Front Leaf Spring Plate

[jaxpax]

Hello. I have a question.
I have to replace my front drivers leaf spring plate due to the sway bar links nut shearing off. Do I need to jack it up to do this or can I quickly swap them out while on the ground? I asked a Google question and it said I need to take weight off wheels. I'm trying to picture it in my head but it seems that it would fall apart if I jacked it and then took the old plate off. But am I thinking of it incorrectly?
Thanks

 

[ytradio]

Hello. I have a question.
I have to replace my front drivers leaf spring plate due to the sway bar links nut shearing off. Do I need to jack it up to do this or can I quickly swap them out while on the ground? I asked a Google question and it said I need to take weight off wheels. I'm trying to picture it in my head but it seems that it would fall apart if I jacked it and then took the old plate off. But am I thinking of it incorrectly?
Thanks

If it’s still stock, spring is under axle so loosening the plate will cause the body and spring to go down away from axle. The tires can remain on the ground, but the body needs to be supported to keep it from lowering as you loosen the U bolts.

 

[jaxpax]

It's not stock, it's part of a rough country lift kit. But the spring is under the axle.
but that makes sense..
thanks

 

[jaxpax]

After further looking at it, wouldn't it be better to support the leaf spring? My mind is telling me that the spring will drop if I remove the old plate without supporting the spring.

 

[ytradio]

After further looking at it, wouldn't it be better to support the leaf spring? My mind is telling me that the spring will drop if I remove the old plate without supporting the spring.

Yes that will work also but the supports will probably have to be on each side of the plate so it can be removed. One support near the plate may be fine you will just have to try it.

 

[jaxpax]

I got it done. Put a jack behind the plate on the spring. That was enough to provide the support to swap it out. Ran into the usual issues; new plate stud thread was fine, the old one was course so had to take a ride to hardware store to buy one nut. Then old U bolts and nuts had to be re-tapped as the threads were effed up...nothing can ever be easy.
Thanks for the help.