Removing leafs from springs

[ausyota]

Im wanting to play around with the rear springs on my lux and remove a couple of leaves to get a bit more flex.
What sort of bolt do I need to replace the centre bolts? Is it just a normal high tensine bolt and nut?
Also I have a couple of broken spring clamps can these be replaced? They look as if they are riveted on.
Also is there any tricks that can be done to maximise flexiness? I remember someone talking about graphite paint or something.

Just trying to work out what I need so I can get stuck into it this weekend.
Paul.

[ISUZUROVER]

Leaf spring centre bolt is a special bolt with a round head so it fits into a hole in the axle. I bought all mine from spring shops but a good bolt shop should stock them as well.

The clamps are riveted on. Drill or grind the rivets to remove them, make new clamps (6mm+ mild steel is fine) and make a new "rivet" from a cut down (soft - grade3) bolt that just fits in the hole in the leaf. You need a big hammer and an anvil to peen over the new rivet.

I have used "spray grease" between the leaves before (comes in an aerosol can) - it makes some difference but nt much.

[ausyota]

Leaf spring centre bolt is a special bolt with a round head so it fits into a hole in the axle. I bought all mine from spring shops but a good bolt shop should stock them as well.
.

Hmm I work in a bolt shop actually
Do you mean a socket head cap screw (round head with allen key hole)?
Or is it something special?
I have never really taken any notice of centre pins before
Paul.

[ISUZUROVER]

No it isn't a socket head cap screw. The heads of centre bolts are just round cylinders (like a piece of round bar - or a socked head cap screw without the allen key hole). Some have a screwdriver slot in them, but most are just plain. You don't need a head as the force pushing the leaves apart stops it turning when you do it up.

[built4thrashing]

when removing the leaves remove the shortest leaf as that is a load leaf. the longer leaves are support leaves and if removed the main leaf can sag or cause axle wrap. remove your two smallest leaves in the front and maybee 2 or 3 in the rear (depending or original setup) removing leaves will soften every thing up but your shocks may limit ya down travel. Make sure ya shocks dont botom out either cause softer leaves will push up easire onto bumpstops.
good luck

[ausyota]

OK next question.
If I remove some leaves from my IFS hilux rears leaving packs with just 4 long leaves with no overloads and add 50mm lift blocks to get some height back will I get excessive axle wrap???
Paul.

[ISUZUROVER]

OK next question.
If I remove some leaves from my IFS hilux rears leaving packs with just 4 long leaves with no overloads and add 50mm lift blocks to get some height back will I get excessive axle wrap???
Paul.

Yes - both the softer springs AND the lift blocks will increase axle wrap. Lift blocks are a bad idea. Just get a spring place to reset the new softer springs to the correct height (and make sure they re-temper them). My local spring place (Brisbane) charged me $66 a pair to do mine after I modified them.