HELP!! Hilux LN65 Front Springs

[dug1]

Just changed the front springs on the young blokes Hilux.

The problem is the new springs are 6 leaf vs. original 5 leaf. The height of the spring packs at the centre bolt is 45mm vs 34mm of the old ones.

The problem is that now the drag link fouls the rear U bolt when you turn the wheels to the right. This happens just off centre.

Wouldn't have a clue what the new springs are as they came with the truck (not fitted). They look well made. They have a code on them: TOYO10 CD/S- any ideas brand etc?

I didn't notice the clearance with the old springs but given the new ones are only 11mm higher I guess it wasn't much.

Any ideas for a fix? Anything we might have missed?

Thanks.

[dug1]

Sorry- correction it's when you turn wheel to the left just off centre that it fouls- the end of the drag link on the rear U bolt that is.[/img]

[YN67highlux]

have you used flat u bolts?
if so and its still scubbing get a drop drag link. think mine was about $330 from snake racing

[dug1]

Yeah used a flat U bolt (even tried the old one). Is the drag link supposed to run beside the spring/U bolt or above it? The new springs are the same width as the old ones just 11mm higher due to the extra leaf and probably thicker leaves I guess.

I had a play around with it later this afternoon- eg. made sure the spring and U bolt were as far inboard as I could- the end of the draglink still hits the U bolt- not just grazes it but butts against it!


Looks like it's a tight fit at the best of times! I didn't take much notice of how close it was when removing old springs.

Starting to think it could be the steering arm be bent a little or is this always an issue when fit heavy duty ie. thicker springs?

How close is anyone elses drag link to spring/Ubolt clearance either standard or with HD springs?

[dug1]

FIXED IT!

-Fitted draglink kit both ends to get rid to make sure pins were centred
-reversed draglink so short end was at steering arm end
-loosened spring centre bolt and tapped spring leaves to make sure they were in line and as far as possible to the centre of the axle

Now have about 3-4mm clearance to the U bolt when turning left. BTW- found out that some people have 2-3mm on standard vehicles in good nick! Some who checked even found theirs making contact.

Once you have max clearance, make sure grease boot spring retainers are positioned so ends are away from U bolt.

I'm amazed at what I turned up:
-people have had no left turn due to slight wear in swivel hub bearings or draglink ends.
-a local mechanic to me fouling the U is not uncommon and can be difficult to fix.

So dissappointing that Toyota designed this so dangerous when it would have been so easy to get at least 100mm clearance with better design- there's plenty of room in that area. Specially on a 4WD where sticks and rocks etc could easily jam in such a small clearance.