Leaf pack retainers

[pismorat]

I have a set of BDS 4" springs up front with zero rates. The leaf packs have retainers or guides that are riveted to the bottom spring, then go up each side, then have a bolt joining the two sides. Under droop, it looks like these keep the leaf pack from getting full travel, can they be removed or modified and will I gain anything?

 

[MNorby]

you will gain a broken top leaf.

 

[Orange85]

you will gain a broken top leaf.

x2

They keep the leafs from flexing too much.

 

[munepit]

I took mine out and have had no trouble,yet. Stock rear 1/2 ton springs. I don't think its wise though. But, I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer either.

 

[cybrfire]

took mine out a long time ago. I do believe it will lead to a premature spring failure.

 

[MNorby]

you could raise them a little, maybe like an inch and that would let your spring fan out more and still hold it from getting folded at the top spring plate and breaking.

 

[pismorat]

I have always been curious, I have seen a lot of Yota's with them off or extended...but they are a lot lighter than our rigs. Thanks for the insight!

 

[MNorby]

at least put limit straps in if removing them. i have straps and i made new ones for the front and rear of the spring and they are about .5" off the top of the spring. i would also think they have some effect on axle wrap. i have seen rigs without them fan out there springs under heady load and lets the axle really wind up.

i had one break off (only had one factory one on each spring then) on a night run last summer. the truck was hard to handle and leaning bad. since that only one broke off the springs fanned out sideways and the top leaf was all that was really holding the truck up.