Leaf Springs Splayed Apart After add a leaf

[rameyer]

I recently put a Superlift add a leaf kit on my sagging '94. The leaf was the long one that mounts just under the main spring. I had to remove the piece of metal at the front of the leaves that holds them together, to get this new one on. Now this piece of metal is too small to go back on. The lift and the ride are great, but the leaves started to splay apart without this piece of metal holding them together. So, I put a u-bolt on them to hold them together, but it won't let the leaves move. It looks like the leaves and this piece of metal that was holding them together were designed to let the springs slide a little on top of each other.

Question, does anyone know of a source where I could get something to replace the original stock item that held the leaves together?

Thanks.

 

[410Fortune]

Any auto parts place should have this, it's similar to your U bolt.

Funny I never had my leafs "walk" on me like that and I have the short and long ad a leafs on a 3" block with no spring retainers (piece you describe)

If it does walk on you just use a hammer and tap it back in line..........

 

[Perry]

I did the lift that you add a Bronco II leaf in and I noticed after a while it was spreading on me. Come to find out it was loose. You might want to check to see if they are tight. Just a thought.

 

[NoBoundaries]

This is just a thought.

How about taking a square u-bolt, cutting the ends to an appropriate length and welding them to the bottom of your leaf pack where the old leaf clamp used to be? (I am assuming the piece of metal you are referring to is the leaf clamp, I could be wrong.)

This would help you keep things in line and if you leave the end open, provide for increased flex on the trail. If you want to close the top part, just tap the ends of the u-bolt, fab a strip of metal with holes to slide onto the u-bolt, then add on some nuts.

I hope this is what you were referring to and helps you out. Let us know how things work out.

~Tim

 

[rameyer]

Finally found one

Thanks for the responses.

To update everyone, what I had put on there was a square u-bolt that was bolted down tight. However, this wouldn't let the springs slip.


So I called all the local parts stores and none of them carry any kind of spring clip. I then called Superlift and at first they also said call a local auto parts store. But when I told them none of them had one, they said they sold one and would send it to me. So I should be getting one from them in a few days.

I wonder why they didn't put one in the kit in the first place?

 

[ld50]

Pro Comp makes an add-a-leaf that fits in between your overload and the rest. You don`t have to worry about the retainer that way.
I`m glad I bought that one, since it is twice that I`ve heard of problems with the longer one.

 

[Maniak]

Sounds like when you put the square u bolt on (welded it to the spring pack) that you put it on upside down...

You want it to point up.. (weld the cross piece of the u bolt to the bottom of the bottom spring).. This way it will keep the springs from splaying (sp?) apart... but allow them to seperate for more flex.

~Mark