Factory parts? Only on one side

[k-nuts]

My 1970 Jimmy 4x4 has these two things only on the drivers side front leaf spring. Front cover piece is like a skid plate for the front eye of the spring and is welded on. Rear piece is bolted on and looks like a stop for the front spring shackle.
Passenger side doesn’t have either one.

I’m replacing springs and just wondering if they are factory or someone added them? Haven’t seen before.

[A1971Blazer]

Those were added as a safety feature
in the event that the spring broke..... it would keep the axle from violently twisting and causing loss of control....
I'm not sure if there was ever a "recall" but I suppose it could have happened and thereby prompted the install.

If you use factory style springs, you can leave it
If you use lifted springs you MUST remove the rear piece behind the spring

A factory spring has a negative arch and the shackle moves forward under compression
A lift spring has positive arch and the shackle MUST move rearward under compression

If you were to leave it with a lift spring...it would stop the rearward movement of the shackle and stop the spring from compressing

[DeadheadNM]

By the 72 model year and possibly by 71 those items were factory installed. GM issued a kit to retrofit earlier examples. Here’s the kit I have that illustrates the pieces. I liked the factory finish on the nuts so wanted the bolts for my 72.

[k-nuts]

Cool, Good info. The factory springs are on there now but with add a leaf so probably should have been removed. I’m just putting 2.5” springs on there, so I’ll remove at least the back one. Maybe I’ll grind Off front one too to make install easier. Weird wasn’t on both sides.

[k-nuts]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

By the 72 model year and possibly by 71 those items were factory installed. GM issued a kit to retrofit earlier examples. Here’s the kit I have that illustrates the pieces. I liked the factory finish on the nuts so wanted the bolts for my 72.

Thanks! Cool, I google that part number and see a few. I guess it was only for the drivers side. Looks like someone installed my bolts upside down 😜

[hemi43]

If you're using a sway bar, then that bracket is not needed because the bar will prevent the axle form moving backwards in case of a broken spring. Another reason why all Blazers should have a sway bar installed, IMHO.

[DeadheadNM]

Related recall about the factory installed rear shackle stop: https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/1972/C...BLAZER#recalls

"CAMPAIGN NO 72-C-1. POSSIBILITY THAT LEFT FRONT SPRING REAR SHACKLE STOP WASIMPROPERLY ADJUSTED DURING PRODUCTION. IF CON DITION EXISTS, COULD ALLOW FRONTAXLE TO SHIFT REARWARD IN EVE NT OF LEFT FRONTSPRING FAILURE AT OR NEAR FRONTSPRING EYE, HA VE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON STEERING CONTROL. (CORRECT BY INSPECTING AND MAKING NECESSARY ADJUSTMENT. )"