Zero rates (not) bending springs

[hillbilly deluxe]

I used my zero rates to locate the axle 1.5" forward on an old set of 4 leaf springs on the front of my suburban. When I removed them to install some 52's there was a obvious kink where the zero rates were. I re-installed the zero rates on the 52's and left them in the center holes. No kinks after I removed these springs. Now I am installing a 6 leaf pack. Wonder if they will kink those too.

Anybody else got any experience like this?

 

[y5mgisi]

I thought they would do that. But then i thought, WTF is the difference between the spring flexing against the zero rate as opposed to the axle housing itself? So, my thoughts on it are that if the springs are bent, they would have bent without the zero rates also. There is my uneducated inexperienced response.

 

[NorCal_Chris]

Run overloads and it won't do it

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

Run overloads and it won't do it

I run overloads... They work.

Otherwise, I would have springs that bend the wrong way...

 

[hillbilly deluxe]

Hmmm.. Overloads on the front? I've seen pics of people doing it but it just seems like it would kill the flex. I have the rear overloads turned upside down.

 

[y5mgisi]

I would say most folks that run 52's in the front either run over loads, or will. From what most folks say, if you run 52's in the front without an overload you will kill the springs in as little as one wheeling trip.

 

[munepit]

I run overloads on the front with 52s and have a chit ton of flex. I need to get some 14" shocks at the minimum.

 

[hillbilly deluxe]

Sheeeeeeiitt. Well, you guys are right. I guess I shoulda paid more attention. It's true. My 52's are shot and they really haven't been on that many wheeling trips. I'm gonna put the overloads on this time.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Sheeeeeeiitt. Well, you guys are right. I guess I shoulda paid more attention. It's true. My 52's are shot and they really haven't been on that many wheeling trips. I'm gonna put the overloads on this time.

Typical, I went through a set of 52's every few trips (sometimes less). They aren't meant to be flexed a ton, especially with leaves removed etc, they're flexy but they don't last long and IME had plenty of axle wrap issues. Keeping the overload made it semi-tolerable but I'm very glad I'm done with the 52's now, IMO not worth the approach angle sacrifice and the durability/axle wrap problems.

 

[y5mgisi]

I still want to do 52's from a ride quality stand point. Engineer it to be stable and good. Keep the sway bar etc. Just make the front end ride like a caddy but still very stable.

 

[blazinzuk]

the zero rates might have been the stress point, that's why they bent there, as has been said 52s wrap up pretty good so its not really the zero rate causing the problem, its the axle wrap.

That said I will not go back to a stock length spring but I very much look forward to the day when the front end gets some fancy round springs.

 

[hillbilly deluxe]

The springs that I bent were some old stock length 6" lift springs with a couple leaves removed. The 52's actually didn't kink they just went all to hell with a few wheeling trips. This new pack is thicker and will have overloads but hopefully won't defeat the purpose.

 

[hillbilly deluxe]

You got coils now? The kit on your website is awesome but I am not quite there yet I bought some used 16.5" rims up there last fall and have a 35" tire I still need to get back up there.

 

[hillbilly deluxe]

The overloads

Don't seem to kill the flex at all. Thanks everybody for setting me straight once again

Brake lines make crappy limiting straps.

I'm gonna go to ORD and get some bump stops today.

 

[y5mgisi]

Looks great! I can't believe how little frame flex there is.

 

[hillbilly deluxe]

With my original lift kit (pro comp 6") if I flexed it that hard you couldn't even open the doors. Not that the old lift could flex that well anyway!

 

[mr250twostroke]

How did you end up plumbing the snorkel?

 

[hillbilly deluxe]

Used some stuff from a newer Suburban. It's not really watertight but that's okay. I'm not into deep water much anymore

 

[mr250twostroke]

Glad to see you got it installed.

 

[2INSANE]

I did the 56" 1 tons up front. Took out overload and 2 leafs. Still has 6 leafs. 3 trips and so far so good. Going to BB12. Hope they hold up without overload.