Front leaf spring questions... *Weekend update*

[Avery4jc]

Ok so here's the deal. I have big plans for the suspension on the front of my k10 but for the time being I figured I could pull some leaves out of my front spring packs to soften it up a bit.

When I pulled them out tonight I realized my center pin on the passenger side is all bent up...

So here's my questions...

Do you think the bent pin was due to loose u-bolts or is it because I used grade 8 bolts instead of "spring pins"?

Secondly any suggestions on what leaves to pull out of the pack? I was thinking of pulling the ones I put red dots on.

It's also time for some new hardware.... stinkin' salt air/water rusting all my stuff.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

My opinion is that the spring pin doesn't really matter. It's tiny and has absolutely no business keeping your axle in place. It's there to hold the spring pack together and to locate the axle as you are tightening the u-bolts.

Loose u-bolts cause bent/broken center pins. It probably doesn't matter much if the center pin is made of grade 8 steel or plastic if the u-bolts are loose.

 

[Avery4jc]

My opinion is that the spring pin doesn't really matter. It's tiny and has absolutely no business keeping your axle in place. It's there to hold the spring pack together and to locate the axle as you are tightening the u-bolts.

Loose u-bolts cause bent/broken center pins. It probably doesn't matter much if the center pin is made of grade 8 steel or plastic if the u-bolts are loose.

Ok, I'll make sure to check them more often.

 

[chevysmithz71]

My opinion is that the spring pin doesn't really matter. It's tiny and has absolutely no business keeping your axle in place. It's there to hold the spring pack together and to locate the axle as you are tightening the u-bolts.

Loose u-bolts cause bent/broken center pins. It probably doesn't matter much if the center pin is made of grade 8 steel or plastic if the u-bolts are loose.

X2. I would split the leafs in half. Keep the long 3 w/ a clamp to keep them from fanning and ditch the last short 3. My .2

 

[Avery4jc]

Ok sounds like a plan. I'm working on the frame of the k3500 in the morning but when I get home I'll get the front of the k10 back together and post up some pics.
Oh, and I'm shooting you a PM about Christmas/New Years...

 

[thatK30guy]

Since those springs are the uber-stiff Superlift 8"ers, I'd ditch those and get some softer springs of your choice.

 

[Avery4jc]

Since those springs are the uber-stiff Superlift 8"ers, I'd ditch those and get some softer springs of your choice.

Yeah they are extremely stiff but for the time being I figured pulling a bunch of leaves would help out. I don't want to spend money on springs just to pull them out when it comes time to do a build-up on my front end.

 

[chevysmithz71]

Good Idea. Did you decide on which ones to pull?

 

[Thunder]

Ok, I'll make sure to check them more often.

Dont just check them. Put a torque wrench on them and retorque them to specs. usually 140- 150 ft lbs. Uneven torque will also cause bent spring pins.
also a good idea to retorque shackles once a year or more often if used hard offroad.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Dont just check them. Put a torque wrench on them and retorque them to specs. usually 140- 150 ft lbs. Uneven torque will also cause bent spring pins.
also a good idea to retorque shackles once a year or more often if used hard offroad.

Yep

And use lock nuts and/or loctite on everything you can.

 

[Avery4jc]

Dont just check them. Put a torque wrench on them and retorque them to specs. usually 140- 150 ft lbs. Uneven torque will also cause bent spring pins.
also a good idea to retorque shackles once a year or more often if used hard offroad.

That's what I meant by check them. I wasn't just going to peek under the truck and say oh yeah they're still there.
I've always done them to 125ft/lbs but you think I should bump it up to 140-150ft/lbs?

 

[Avery4jc]

I got the packs pulled apart and put back together with the longest 3 leaves and I think it'll be a great improvement over running all 6.

The shim on the passenger side was busted and when I pulled the pack apart it cracked all the way through so I thought I was sunk.... but then I started looking at it and I don't think I even need them anymore. In the pics all the weight of the truck is on the springs and my front d-shaft angle looks good to me. I also like the idea of not having a shim in there, just one less thing to break.

I solved one issue and of course another one came up. The threads on the u-bolts didn't go down far enough since the pack is thinner than before so it looks like I'm stuck until Monday when I can get more u-bolts bent up.

The newly assembled pack (this was the driver's side that I assembled with the shim but later went back and pulled it out)...

Here's what I pulled out...

Here's what they looked like before...

Fresh new hardware!

 

[4X4HIGH]

Expect those springs to sag pretty quick with those last 3 leaves removed. I removed just the overload on a set of 4" superlift rear springs and they sagged badly, quickly.

 

[Avery4jc]

Well if they can hold out for another 6 months or so I'll be good to go.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Well, mine lasted like 2 months but maybe you'll have more luck. I'm assuming though that with an 8" spring the effects will be worse.

 

[Avery4jc]

I guess we'll see how they hold up, the next trip I have planned is to the dunes between Christmas and New Years so I'll give them a good thrashing.

 

[chevysmithz71]

No pics of the full weight of the truck on them??

You also don't drive it enough to really make them flatten out in my opinion

 

[bot0611]

Bust their ass...

Are you getting new sets of springs??

I did the same on my skyjackers and they have held up nice not sure if the shocks help in my case

 

[Avery4jc]

No pics of the full weight of the truck on them??

You also don't drive it enough to really make them flatten out in my opinion

The weight of the truck is on them in the pics I posted tonight. The red jack stands under the frame aren't touching.

But their ass...

Are getting new sets??

I did the same on my skyjackers and they have held up nice not sure if the shocks help in my case

Huh?

 

[chevysmithz71]

OOhh. I see the different shackle angles now.I think your gonna love the ride. Get ready to feel like you on a boat in the ocean.Maybe.