leaf springs question

[stokedapollo]

hypothetical if you took all the leaves out except for the leaf attached to the chassis
is it still strong enough to not snap
excluding the fact it would be soft as hell
wat im getting at is i noticed only 1 leaf is attatched to the vehicle so to speak so in theory is that spring the only thing holding the suspension to the vehicle

[... rick]

There is a bolt that goes through the entire leaf pack, thus making it a lot stronger than any one single leaf.
While a single leaf may not snap immediately, it will almost certainly wrap itself up and snap pinions if used as the only support for the diff.

[stokedapollo]

if i used the single leaf to locate diff and had only coils for the actual suspension would it still break etc
this is an idea im having for a project not an on road 4wd by the way
i dont want any oh but thats illegal comments as it wont be on road lol

[cloughy]

No you'd need track rods, otherwise it'll fug itself with axle wrap

[stokedapollo]

ok silly question what are track rods
this is all an idea i have in my head so just sussing things out

[tna racing]

like a single control arm to stop the axle twisting around and breaking stuff

[stokedapollo]

twisting in what direction

[ISUZUROVER]

I think you will find there are actually 2 leaves holding everything together. The 2nd leaf on a 4x4 normally has wrap around eyes (at least at the front). This means that main leaf breaks, the 2nd leaf will still hold everything together.

Removing everything but the main leaf will do the following:
1. the suspension will likely be on the bump stops
2. you will get HEAPS of axle wrap - which will likely snap/bend the propshaft and cause the one remaining leaf to fail quickly.
3. it will drive/handle terribly.

As others have said, you will need a track bar to hold the axle in place - which will solve 2. and particlly solve 3.

If this is related to the coil spring idea, it will cost you MORE to buy the bushes for a track bar than it would to get a decent set of springs from a wreckers, or add some leaves to your springs.

EDIT - this is a track/trac/traction bar:


2 bushes at the diff end, one at the chassis, and a slip joint in the middle.

Or you can use a shackle, but a slip joint has less restriction to axle travel.

[festy]

twisting in what direction

Opposite direction to tyre rotation, making your single leaf Z shaped.
Adding coil springs won't help to stop axle wrap, you'll need a track bar.

[ISUZUROVER]

This should explain things:


But disregard the solution there - it is only good for hot rods. Crap offroad.

[stokedapollo]

na isuzu not related to that idea
possibly getting an old 4wd that someone has tried to make some sort of buggy thing out of and was lookin at some diff options
the idea came from what i wana do with my 4wd rear springs was curious
to see wat was possible
ty for your input guys

[balzackracing]

They are talking about axle wrap or diff rotation. Think of it this way...
Each action has an equal and opposite reaction, so if the rotation of the wheels are going clock wise then the rotation of the axle housing will be going anticlockwise upwards. One leaf spring will not be able stop the rotational force exerted by the axle housing and will bend or wrap the spring. Tracbars or wrap bars prevent the axle housing from rotating.

[balzackracing]

Disregard, I took to long to type!!! and others beat me to it.

[stokedapollo]

cheers balz even tho it was after them the fact you took the time to reply is good enough mate

[MissDrew]

You still only get the same amount of flex out of it. You might get a little more but bugger all.

There are a heep of different things that need doing to get flex.
Then with the amount fo work and stuffing around needed to make it work you may as well just go to a full normal coil setup.

I wouldn't even waste any time thinking about your idea.

[stokedapollo]

wasnt for more flex was the fact i have a bit of extra things lyin round that i could use instead of buyin stuff