Do I need spring clamps?

[Hogback Fabrication]

I'm running a set of 52 in the front of my truck and they didn't have spring clamps on them. They flex well but I have some pretty significant axle wrap.

I'm going to add an antiwrap bar to the front so the axle wrap should be gone.

The question is will it hurt the springs to flex them without clamps? I don't mind replacing worn out springs but I don't want them breaking on the trail.

 

[miniwally]

You only need to have something to keep the pack lined up. It is actually better for flex to not have clamps.

I have seen several rigs that had some kind of tall clamp that kept the leaves from fanning out but still allowed the pack to seperate. They had long sides and a bolt through the top of the clamp with a spacer tube.

 

[mrk5]

I have seen several rigs that had some kind of tall clamp that kept the leaves from fanning out but still allowed the pack to seperate. They had long sides and a bolt through the top of the clamp with a spacer tube.

That's what I'd do if you want to do anything to keep the leaves lined up. I don't know that clamps will increase the life of your springs though. Maybe marginally.

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

I test flexed my suspension a while back & after seeing how much the main leaf bent & seeing that the other leafs weren't doing much, I decided to put on some 7/16" bolts on the clamps. I seriously felt that the leaf was ready to snap in half if I pushed it a little bit more. Breaking a leaf on the trail sure would bring the suck!

 

[MNorby]

i didn't run them for some time and started to wonder when I would break the main leaf by the u-bolt plate. IMO with a proper setup shackle angle and all you can get more than enough droop and leave those bolts in. You could extend them a bit if you think necessary