leaf spring torque

I still don't quite understand how the suspension will bind if the u-bolts are torqued without the spring under load. I've seen plenty of springs installed and torqued on the rearend and installed in the car as an assembly without an issue. Heck, didn't the factory do it that way?

Now, the front and rear leaf spring eyes, that's another story. Those need to be torqued at ride height.