8 3/4 housing U-bolt torque

Do the spring leaves actually slide relative to the other leaves at the center of the spring between the two halves of the u-bolts during the springs range of motion?
They slide at the ends as they arch and de-arch. (for the lack of a better term) The center bolt keeps them aligned in the middle. Because the leaves are arched, they lengthen as they get flat and they do slide. That's why there are pads on the ends of the springs. Because Mopar springs are quite short on the front section most of the sliding happens on the rear section.