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leaf spring question
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 2:37 pm
by NICK
Im been working over a spring back in my head for awhile now, a combination of mazdas, and Toy IFS rears, i did a search and couldnt find any info, and i have never seen it done, so i want to know your thoughts on this idea.
Springs weather they be lifted, or standard have the small metal plates between the leaves, what if these leaves were alittle thicker, say 5mm and tappered down to 2mm and then where inserted between the leaves. in theory it would allow each leave to arch and twist more as it creates a small gap between each leave like a paraolic style spring.
your thoughts.
NICK
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 3:43 pm
by POS
Where will the plates be?
I presume in the middle, where the centre bolts is!
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 4:01 pm
by NICK
between the leafs, you could even use thin strans of rubber matting to space the leafs
NICK
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 4:10 pm
by POS
How long, do they run the full length of the spring or are they short like 150mm or so!
What i am trying to get to is that if they are short peices and they are about 5mm thick it would put a lot of pressure on just 2 points of the spring and it wouldn't distribute the load even enough! It would work but i think it might effect the life of the springs!
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 4:27 pm
by NICK
just short, like 100mm, your right about the stress points but i cant see it being much worse than a stock setup.
NICK
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 4:35 pm
by dave
Nick just put our springs in the right way around
& stop being a tight arse and buy some longer shocks.
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 4:50 pm
by NICK
dave wrote:Nick just put our springs in the right way around
& stop being a tight arse and buy some longer shocks.
i have longer shocks, but i want to use the main of the IFS and the rest of the mazdas, just so i can out flex you
NICK
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 6:04 pm
by bubs
what you are describing is a lot like the MQ factory parabolic spring i think
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 6:26 pm
by RUFF
An MQ factory parabolic is no different to the Parabolics in yours Bubs.
Re: leaf spring question
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 7:14 pm
by bobtail
NICK wrote:Im been working over a spring back in my head for awhile now, a combination of mazdas, and Toy IFS rears,
your thoughts.
NICK
NICK are you sure you have ,nt been hit in the back of your head with your spring pack
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2003 7:39 am
by Wendle
hypo has done something like that. little spacer things in the centre, about 100mm long, 3mm thick...
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2003 8:04 am
by mike
I have run teflon strips in between the leaves the full length of my spring packs which has improved the flex considerably. Although I suppose air would have even less friction than teflon with this idea!
Mike
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2003 9:29 am
by N*A*M
like i said in the suzuki forum... thick industrial strength cable ties around the ends of the leaves!
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2003 6:16 am
by hypo
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2003 7:46 am
by bj on roids
The US guys have been running plastic between the leafs for years, and I know Tony/Ruff uses Grease
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2003 7:13 pm
by NICK
bj on roids wrote:The US guys have been running plastic between the leafs for years, and I know Tony/Ruff uses Grease
they all run factory plastics and it seems none of them can answer my question, i think they have no idea what i am talking about.
NICK
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2003 7:16 pm
by RUFF
Why do you think i havent answered you yet
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2003 7:20 pm
by murcod
Isn't there supposed to be some sort of special grease for using between the leaves? Or is it a big trade secret that nobody wants to share???
(Come on Tony spill the beans!
)
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2003 7:29 pm
by NICK
RUFF wrote:Why do you think i havent answered you yet
i know what you have, but it is only similar to what you have done.
NICK
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2003 7:31 pm
by NICK
murcod wrote:Isn't there supposed to be some sort of special grease for using between the leaves? Or is it a big trade secret that nobody wants to share???
(Come on Tony spill the beans!
)
yeah there is but it is only available from opposite lock and selected ARB stores, you need to ask them to "lube you up", this will get the special treatment for your springs.
NICK
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2003 7:41 pm
by RUFF
No secret i use Graphite Grease.And grind a taper to the very tip of every leaf.
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2003 8:14 pm
by murcod
NICK wrote:
yeah there is but it is only available from opposite lock and selected ARB stores, you need to ask them to "lube you up", this will get the special treatment for your springs.
NICK
I get that "lubed up" feeling everytime I go into an ARB store, without asking for their special treatment!
I had someone recommend pulling the rear leaf springs apart on the Feroza and lubing them to improve their operation. Supposedly works wonders.
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2003 10:44 pm
by beebee
murcod wrote:NICK wrote:
yeah there is but it is only available from opposite lock and selected ARB stores, you need to ask them to "lube you up", this will get the special treatment for your springs.
NICK
I get that "lubed up" feeling everytime I go into an ARB store, without asking for their special treatment!
I had someone recommend pulling the rear leaf springs apart on the Feroza and lubing them to improve their operation. Supposedly works wonders.
I "lubed up" my rear springs with "Morey's Big Foot Grease" from the trucking industry and I didn't notice any difference! Except for the extra effort to pull the springs and pull the pack apart, striping the thread on the centre bolt, and having to clean up all the excess grease. IMO I wouldn't recommend it. Although I can see the benefits of tapering the ends of each leaf.
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2003 10:52 pm
by hypo
wot effect does tapering the ends of the leaves have on the spring pack ?? less friction ??
