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Keep Destroying Springs!

Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:00 pm
by OzBinder
Hi all, I've got some questions about leaf springs that im hoping someone can answer for me. First some background

I've got leafs F&R on my scout, they are identical(F&R) apart from the front being 1/2 inch higher, they measure 1400mm long(approx) and 50mm wide with 5 leaves in each. Thay were custom made based on the original rear springs from my scout, i have traction bars F&R and i have 4.8 gears and run on 38.5 inch claws.

The problem im having is that i am stuffing the springs F&R ( flatening & then W'ing them) on 2 occasions both of which after just 3 short but reasonably hard trips out!!! Most unhappy.

Has anyone had this problem? I know some guys are running long springs in the back of hi-luxs, do you guys have any similar problems?
do i just have crap springs? Am i wrong in saying that i should get at least 5 years out of a set of springs? Do i need to go to a wider spring ie.75mm?

Sorry for the long post but any help or info on this problem is much appreciated thanks guys.

Pete.

Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:47 am
by badger
if they are new "custom" springs they should have been built for the abuse.

post up some pics of your set up: shackle angles, leaf positioning etc.
some of us may be able to give you some tips as to what could be happening

Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 11:28 pm
by OzJeeper
From memory (failing fast) the Scout ran a 2" wide spring and the spring rate was fairly soft for a comfy ride. My Traveller was nice to ride in but dropped heaps when loaded.
If your spring maker has copied this rate and used the same material config then you have issues.
The IH was based on the Yank model and apart from the body and engine were very similar to the Jeep Cherokee. :idea:

Cherokees can run (stock) anything from a 5 to a 7 leaf spring and the spring rate is much harder.

With the unsprung weight you are carrying I would imagine a NUMBER of extra leaves will be in order - if you want to keep leaves... ;)

My 2c worth