ORD zero rate center pin hole to large

[88jimmy4x4]

I bought some zero rate blocks from ORD and they were delivered today. However the centerpin included was a size too big for my front leaf holes.

I had the correct size new center pins that fit my leafs in my toolbox and used those, however the zero rate fit loose on that bolt size a little due to the larger hole drilled in the zero rate center position.....until tightened up that is.
Im just worried with the momentum of the truck it will eventually weaken or break that centerpin.

Am I safe using these with the stock dia smaller centerpins?



I haven't called ORD yet (wanted to get the members advice on this first). I did send a PM to member 38377k5 that works at ORD though, waiting for reply.

 

[nvrenuf]

I would check with ORD first. My Z.R.'s came with a 3/8 center pin just like my springs use. Iirc, the hole was a not oversized for the 3/8 pin.

 

[88jimmy4x4]

I would check with ORD first. My Z.R.'s came with a 3/8 center pin just like my springs use. Iirc, the hole was a not oversized for the 3/8 pin.

If I could have used the centerpin they included it would have been sized correctly, but the front leafs use a size smaller.

Im gonna try to sneak away from work later and call them, just wanted to hear everyones thoughts here too.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Mine were loose too. The proper sized centering pin or bolt was a bit loose in the Zero Rate. The consensus on here was to run it unless I wanted to redrill all the springs. This was Summer '07 or so.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

3/8" is by far the most common center pin size, that's why we ship those with our Zero Rates. There are some stock springs that use 5/16" center pins and it sounds like that's what we have here.

The center pin will stay centered because your springs are still drilled out to a 5/16" hole. The only thing that using that 5/16" center pin can cause is the zero rate can move 1/32" either way which is no big deal.

As far as safety is concerned, you should have no worries. The u-bolts are what hold everything together, they take 100% of the load. If there is any pressure on the center pin, it means the u-bolts are loose and this setup that you have now and what you had in there before will act exactly the same.

Make sure the u-bolts are tight (like always) and everything will be fine.

 

[88jimmy4x4]

3/8" is by far the most common center pin size, that's why we ship those with our Zero Rates. There are some stock springs that use 5/16" center pins and it sounds like that's what we have here.

The center pin will stay centered because your springs are still drilled out to a 5/16" hole. The only thing that using that 5/16" center pin can cause is the zero rate can move 1/32" either way which is no big deal.

As far as safety is concerned, you should have no worries. The u-bolts are what hold everything together, they take 100% of the load. If there is any pressure on the center pin, it means the u-bolts are loose and this setup that you have now and what you had in there before will act exactly the same.

Make sure the u-bolts are tight (like always) and everything will be fine.

Thanks Chris...that puts me at ease

 

[Blue85]

You could always hit up the hardware store a little steel sleeve that would take up the slop. Just cut to length.

Even with the slop, the center-bolt should pull the zero-rate tight against the spring pack and hold it in place anyway. Then when you tighten the U-bolts everything in that stack is jammed tight.

 

[crashandburn]

Couldn't you drill the spring bigger? I mean it's only 1/16 of an inch.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Couldn't you drill the spring bigger? I mean it's only 1/16 of an inch.

Have you ever tried to drill a spring?

It's not fun, when they are made they are drilled before they are heat treated. They are super hard after that.

 

[crashandburn]

Have you ever tried to drill a spring?

It's not fun, when they are made they are drilled before they are heat treated. They are super hard after that.

Never tried, but that answers my question!

 

[82355]

I have encountered this problem with two different sets of OEM front spring packs, and a set of 4" lift springs. I took a die grinder and a carbide tip and opened them up to the bigger size. Doesn't take very long at all.

Martin

 

[88jimmy4x4]

Couldn't you drill the spring bigger? I mean it's only 1/16 of an inch.

Its hardened steel, not an easy task and eats up drill bits like crazy

 

[82355]

Its hardened steel, not an easy task and eats up drill bits like crazy

Yeah but a die grinder with a carbide tip will take care of it quickly.

Martin

 

[GreenieK30]

If you do drill the springs, get a carbide bit and use a slow rpm, too fast and the bit will burn up.

 

[Cruz89K5]

I drilled a stock set of front springs the other day for my zero rates with a cheap 3/8 bit and a chinese drill. Took all of 5 minutes, including finding and chucking up a bit. Go slow, use some spray lube. I'd rather take the time enlarging a hole than worry about a center pin in an oversized hole.

 

[88jimmy4x4]

I installed them yesterday, no worries

 

[miniwally]

I drilled a stock set of front springs the other day for my zero rates with a cheap 3/8 bit and a chinese drill. Took all of 5 minutes, including finding and chucking up a bit. Go slow, use some spray lube. I'd rather take the time enlarging a hole than worry about a center pin in an oversized hole.

Do you understand what the center pins job is?