ORD Spring length

[Mastiff]

I have another thread about this, but I want to ask here... I installed new ORD 4.5" rear springs on my K5. They replaced Rancho 4" springs. I notice now that my driveshaft appears too short - the slip yoke on the NP208 is sticking way out.

Doing some rough measurements, the old springs measured 25" from each eye to the center bolt. The new springs measure 26". I just used a tape measure and measured straight line distance so maybe this is misleading?

With ORD springs in the rear and Rancho on the front, the distance from axle level to body crease is about 2" higher in back. Again, maybe a misleading measurement, but seems like a bunch more lift.

Two other things maybe important: rear axle changed from 12-bolt to 14bff. The distance from axle centerline to pinion yoke measures very close, so it doesn't seem like this should matter. Also, installed ORD heavy duty shackles, which are a tad longer.

Any idea what's up? What can I measure to be sure the springs are right in terms of lift, length, axle offset?

 

[Mastiff]

I'm starting to feel pretty strongly that I didn't receive the right springs. It seems like the rear springs are bringing the axle back and the front springs bringing the axle forward. A byproduct of this seems to be that the pinions are pointing down extra.

First the front:

This pic is with weight on the springs. The driveshaft is laying on the exhaust pipe and there's no way it could connect. The second pic shows that the perches appear angled back relative to level ground. This is a D60 with no mods to the perches or anything. It doesn't seem right to me. Also, the center pin on these springs is not in the center like the old springs were. It's like the axles are attached to the part of the spring that is already sloping up to meet the front hanger.

Here are pics of the rear:

 

[Deuling]

The longer shackle does angle the pinion down, and they most likely did move the center pin forward a little. Mine are. Helps prevent your tire from hitting the fender on compression.


I shimmed my front axle up and never looked back.
I got 4" springs and 5 degrees worked perfect.

 

[Mastiff]

The longer shackle does angle the pinion down, and they most likely did move the center pin forward a little. Mine are. Helps prevent your tire from hitting the fender on compression.

This would be backwards from what I'm seeing in the rear though. The axle is extra far back.

 

[Deuling]

This would be backwards from what I'm seeing in the rear though. The axle is extra far back.

Springs backwards? Are they equal length eye to center pin?

 

[Mastiff]

Springs backwards? Are they equal length eye to center pin?

They have the military wrap, which I was specifically told goes forward. Also, I don't think the wrap would fit into the shackle anyway. So I don't think they are backwards. I didn't measure the rears before I put them in, but the fronts are definitely not equal length. They are shorter to the front.

 

[bp71k5]

The 14 bolt is going to give you some lift. Make sure to account for that.

 

[sweetk30]

you had a 3" rear tube before on 12 bolt .

now you have a 3 3/8" tube on the 14ff .

and most aftermarket spring perches we run are taller also over stock . ( see my 12 bolt perch swap pics ruffstuff perches)

and I swaped from a 3/4 dana 44 1 time in a 1/2 ton frame to a dana 60 and got just over 1" lift more in the front.


but I do agree there is something going on here in your setup . why not call ord and TALK to them and tell them to check out the pics here.

I am sure its a easy fix or someone screwed up bigtime in some measuring .

 

[Mastiff]

but I do agree there is something going on here in your setup . why not call ord and TALK to them and tell them to check out the pics here.

I am sure its a easy fix or someone screwed up bigtime in some measuring .

That's the plan. I wanted to ask around here until I was more confident that I wasn't totally crazy. I'll call them Monday if Chris doesn't stop in here first. Well, I'll probably call anyway...

 

[stan1688]

I'm pretty sure the springs are suppose to settle some. Seems like I remember someone saying they recommended breaking in the spring for 500 miles, or something like that.

They could have built in a little bit of a rearward stretch into the rear springs.


If they don't settle and you're running the stock rear shackle configuration, you could run a longer shackle which would drop it down some. But, that would also point your pinion down, which could be fixed with some shims.