Leaf Spring Tech

[Ferwoaza]

My rear leaf springs are due for a bit of attention. Currently I've opened the rear clamps only, and that netted me a bit more flex. Should I also open up the front clamps as well? I'm just a bit worried about the leafs moving too much but with the clamps cut right that shouldn't be too much of a problem...what is the normal thing people do?

Also, they really need a good clean, and probably a repaint. Is it okay to take the packs apart? Will I be able to get them back together? What paint do people recommend using? I'm also thinking of getting 2 thin stock leafs, cutting them right down, to replace the current load leafs at the bottom of my rear springs, should allow them to flex a bit more and keep the current height. Currently as soon as that load leaf comes into action, that's it...no more flex.

[ToNkA]

Played with my springs not long ago.

I pulled the rear springs off the lux and removed one leaf, and put the bottom load leaf in upside down, so it keeps it packing height; but wont be invloved in actuall flex untill fill articulation, and then its only minimal.

Then greased the whole pack and it worked so much better. Grpahite Paint is also worth loking into as it is used in situations where grease can not be used, like on agricultural equipment.

As for the fronts, I have opend the clamps partially as I wanted some steering control, as its pittyful anyway.

As for pulling the leaves off completewly, there is no worries there, just make sure they aint under load when you do it.

[Ferwoaza]

I like the idea of turning the load leaf over...clever! Did you just use MP grease?

[ToNkA]

Yeah just normal old grease.

[RUFF]

Pull the leaves apart and clean them thouroughly with a wire wheel and then coat them in Graphite grease all over dont worry about painting them as they wont rust once greased. Be carefull removing the load leaf totaly as you could end up with an axle wrap prob. That leaf is there more to stop axle wrap than to carry loads.

[beebee]

Speaking of that ruff, did you use an overload or anti wrap type spring with your rear pack up front?

[RUFF]

No Dave i did not. So far i have had no real probs but i do get a lt of wrap from it.

[beebee]

At the moment my front pack is a 6 leaf pack with all full or nearly full length leaves. It is a little stiff at the moment as I beefed it up to accept a front bar and which which I still haven't got around to doing. This weekend I plan to remove one leaf. When I first put it in I used a 4 leaf setup but it sagged within 3 weeks which is why I put in the extra 2.

I don't mean to take over your thread but I thought this may be of interest to someone and possibly ruff can give me some feedback on how close this is to his setup.

[RUFF]

Here are 2 pics of my left front spring showing the stagger i have used.

[beebee]

Oh you are helpful aren't you!

That's a similar setup to mine but yours have more arch in them. My springs were reset 4runner rears but as I said they sagged quickly. Are all your leaves the same thickness?

[RUFF]

Yeah all exept the bottom one i think.
These are realy pretty flat. There is no motor or body on that chassie its just a gearbox and firewall at the moment.

[beebee]

I realised that after I went out to my car and thought "what the *uck?" and then I realised. The thought had already entered my mind to pull the springs out on sunday and belt some arch back into them! Thanks for saving me the trouble.

[big red hilux]

quick question, wat would be the best amount of springs to run. I have a set of standard rears sitting in the drive way which will be going under my truck in the next week or so, but i don't want them to sag to quickly. I was thinking cause ill be taking the two inch lifted springs out can i u the bottom leaf off that and would that help stop the sag, also by putting this spring in will it affect the flex of the rears???


Thanks.
Nick

[RUFF]

Nick this question would be easier to answer.

How long is a piece of string????