Leaf Spring Extensions

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ToyTruck
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Leaf Spring Extensions

Post by ToyTruck »

Hi

Was hoping some one may have done this and could offer some advice.
I had standard leaf springs in my truck, I have replaced them with "Mad Dog Suspension" shocks and springs. This was fine and quite easy to do. The issue I am having is with the leaf spring extensions. on the normal leafsprings the sat fine. with my new ones the slip forward and I loose an inch.

Has some one done this before and able to offer some advice... :-)
:?: :?: :?:
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MATT4U
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Post by MATT4U »

leaf spring extensions???????????
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niblik
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Post by niblik »

MATT4U wrote:leaf spring extensions???????????


i was confused too..

could ya clarify a bit please toytruck?

do you mean the shackles? look sorta like these at one end of the leaf spring?
Image

if so, ya can get extended shackles...just beware how 'extended'.. legal purposes say only a certain length..
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Toyhatsu
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Post by Toyhatsu »

If the shackles/spring hangers are what you are talking about then I had this happen when I put some tough dog springs on my lux. It was to do with the spring being more arched than the original, hence the eye where the shackle inserts is in a different position relative to the chassis. This will draw the shackle forward relative to its original position.

It can be a problem because there is the possibility of it inverting, the spring moving in such a way that the shackle ends up sitting horizontally against the chassis forward of the perch it pivots on. This is bad, but not that likely to happen.

I would think that as the spring settles the shackle will eventually move rear ward. You could try to increase the rate at which is settles by carrying some substantial loads for a while. You could also try loosening the spring clamps to allow the leaves to loosen up a bit. Good idea to keep an eye on this as if the spring is too loose it can lead to axle wrap etc.

If the ends of the individual leaves are not greased or do not have plastic looking inserts (made of teflon type stuff), then you might consider altering the ends to allow them to move easily against each other. You can either pack them with grease (temporary measure) or buy some teflon/slippery plastic material and stick them between the end of each leaf springs and the spring above it.

Another alternative is to remove the third spring from the bottom (if it is a six leaf pack). This will lower your lift, but improve articulation. You can regain your lift by putting a longer shackle on the rear, but this might require certification.

All this is assuming that you have been given the correct springs and that the installation all went according to plan. :D
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ToyTruck
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Post by ToyTruck »

Thanks... Spent some time on it last night. Thanks NIBLIT yes they are shackles and not leaf spring extensions as I thought.

TOYHATSU
bloody good advice :idea: , thanks heaps. After some fiddling last night, every time I lowered the truck down from the hoist the shackles inverted :? , to over come this we guided them to fold the correct way, and then every time after that they keep folding the right way :D . The spring is a bit shorter, but will settle in quick. Great suspension, looks fantastic. Just a bit of trial and error, but glad to get some advice from someone who has done this before with the same suspension. Will see how the rest of it goes today.

Did you have to extend your sway aways or tortion bar connection thing?
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Toyhatsu
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Post by Toyhatsu »

Yeah, it is always good to hear from others who have been down the same path....makes you think that it is not just you eh :D

I don't have a sway bar on my lux and I did not have to carry out any other mods when I installed mine, but then it was the 2 inch lift version.

You may want to make sure that your steering wheel is returning to centre and you are not veering off when braking hard. If this is happening you may need to make adjustments to caster by putting wedges between the spring and the saddle. Also if the drag link is fouling on the top of u bolts, you might want to grind it down or buy one that has a flattened top. Apparently you are meant to use new u bolts as well, as the originals are apt to stretching etc, but I didn't.

Good luck
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ToyTruck
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Post by ToyTruck »

Cheers.

U Bolts are fine, will just need to get a longer sway away. I will then have it sent to a wheel alignment specialist that I know to check it all out for me to make sure it will be all ok.

Thanks bud...
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niblik
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Post by niblik »

ToyTruck wrote: After some fiddling last night, every time I lowered the truck down from the hoist the shackles inverted :? , to over come this we guided them to fold the correct way, and then every time after that they keep folding the right way :D . The spring is a bit shorter, but will settle in quick.


:? just be ready for an inversion if out and about on the trail fella... :shock: :( if it happens without load on spring, ie when you had it jacked up, you could imagine dropping off a ledge or going through a hole and one wheel up in the air, the spring will have no load on it and the likelihood of the shackle inverting when getting loaded up again will be high..

maybe you could possibly do
A: get longer springs...
B: get longer shackles...
C: get anti inversion shackles...
D: a combo of A, B or C..

if ya can, post some pics.. :wink: :D always up for pics.. :D

good luck, let us know how ya go.. :thumleft:
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Sadam_Husain
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Post by Sadam_Husain »

It sounds like your going to have problems with the spring hangers inverting under full articulation, My earlier cruisers I used to weld stops on the bracket the shackel piviots from to prevent them from traveling too far back and inverting. All my early cruisers were farm Reg and didnt have warrents, I dont think you'd find that legal for a road vehicle?

Now I just use anti inversion shackles and all my problems have gone away.

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ToyTruck
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Post by ToyTruck »

Yeah, I have them on the front, and are bloody good. Worked out the stupid mechanic put them on backwards allowing no movement on the front. This was awful to drive and only lasted 20 metres before I had to stop.. So will be sorted this week. The rear does not have any, but seems to be fine at the moment. As soon as the front is sorted I will take for a quiet calm test.
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krawlr
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Post by krawlr »

:lol: :lol: :lol: :roll:
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