thebluemax
1/2 ton status
For leafs in the pack, what did you use to clean the rust off? Also what did you paint themwith? Did you grease the leaves?
CK5
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Rebuilding spring pack
- Thread starter thebluemax
- Start date
I usually clean up the leaves with a flap disc.
I've never painted them with anything but primer and flat black paint. No grease between them. It'd probably help for a little while but eventually the grease would help hold some grit between them leafs which would probably end up working against you.
The teflon pads between the tips are good. Some have gone so far as to use a plastic material between the leaves the entire length. UHMPPWE or something like that...
I've never painted them with anything but primer and flat black paint. No grease between them. It'd probably help for a little while but eventually the grease would help hold some grit between them leafs which would probably end up working against you.
The teflon pads between the tips are good. Some have gone so far as to use a plastic material between the leaves the entire length. UHMPPWE or something like that...
For scrubbing steel I like the wire cup brush on a grinder:
The plastic stuff is "ultra high molecular weight polyethylene", so it's UHMWPE ... which is some variation of "cutting board"
I tried some kind of poly tape when I first did my springs, but it ended up just being a gooey mess after a while. When I redid mine, I just cleaned and painted 'em, hit the square edges with the flapdisc to round 'em down a bit.
-- A
The plastic stuff is "ultra high molecular weight polyethylene", so it's UHMWPE ... which is some variation of "cutting board"
I tried some kind of poly tape when I first did my springs, but it ended up just being a gooey mess after a while. When I redid mine, I just cleaned and painted 'em, hit the square edges with the flapdisc to round 'em down a bit.
-- A
thebluemax
1/2 ton status
Would not installing the plastic shims on the ends make a difference?
Also would an add a leaf or ez inch be a better ride quality?_
I will be ditching the blocks and installing a shackle flip with usdr shackles and 52's.
Also would an add a leaf or ez inch be a better ride quality?_
I will be ditching the blocks and installing a shackle flip with usdr shackles and 52's.
The plastic things aren't shims, per se. Yes, keep them. They make the pack flexier, or at least keep the ends of the leaves from sticking / binding up on the leaf above them, if that makes sense.
The add-a-leaf changes the spring rate, i.e. makes it stiffer. The EZ-Inch does not change the spring rate, so shouldn't change ride quality.
-- A
The plastic shims let the springs slide with less friction. My experience with them is that they do make the ride a little better and can solve spring "popping" issues.
An easy inch doesn't change spring rate. An add-a-leaf will stiffen the ride.
I got a softer ride when I ditched my blocks and did a shackle flip in my last truck.
EDIT: you beat me to it dremu
An easy inch doesn't change spring rate. An add-a-leaf will stiffen the ride.
I got a softer ride when I ditched my blocks and did a shackle flip in my last truck.
EDIT: you beat me to it dremu
thebluemax
1/2 ton status
Where can I find replacements? I had few broken ones.
*edit found a spring shop to call
*edit found a spring shop to call
I just did this today, the plastic shims were good, so i cleaned the springs and put them back together, after I wire wheeled them (outside) light primer and had a can of appliance epoxy black laying around so I use that..they look good, I was going to paint each leaf but I figure no paint inbetween would be better, you cant tell I didn't paint inbetween plus I bet I saved a bunch of time doing it this way oh yeah I put an EZ Inch on it too
It was recommended to me to spray them with a graphite paint. Available at Tractor Supply in spray cans.
