Hell creek install problem

[Slow Poke]

I have a set of 2.5 inch lift springs from Hell Creek that I started to install but have run into problems. Tom from Hell Creek ( great guy) and I talked when ordering and we got our wires crossed. We talked about the width of my 4 plus shackles ( 3 inches ) and he told me they would fit but it doesn't look like it to me. The eye of the original springs is about an inch but these are an inch and a half. The width of the original springs is 2.75 but these are 2.5. Now the 40's hanging in the air.

Questions: What bushings do these need?

Will my 4 plus shackles work with these narrower springs?


Thanks, SP

 

[Slow Poke]

Hell Creek's sight is off line and it's Sunday so I doubt Tom will be working but it looks like what I need is a bushing that's 1 and 3/8th's OD and 9/16ths ID with a .25 inch shoulder. MAF doesn't give dimensions on their bushings. They just say with this spring and this shackle you need this. SOR gives dimensions but their pin dimensions are all metric. Looks like the 40 will be hangin out for at least a week.

 

[inkpot]

Hell Creek's sight is off line and it's Sunday so I doubt Tom will be working but it looks like what I need is a bushing that's 1 and 3/8th's OD and 9/16ths ID with a .25 inch shoulder. MAF doesn't give dimensions on their bushings. They just say with this spring and this shackle you need this. SOR gives dimensions but their pin dimensions are all metric. Looks like the 40 will be hangin out for at least a week.

Howdy! Have you thought about adding a few fender washers between the bushings and the shackles? I don't see how it could be a problem. John

 

[Midwestcruiser]

Unfortunatly there is no good fix. I spoke w/ energy suspension, several smaller companies and a few large overseas suspension companies..there are no bushings that have the correct dimensions(width, flange,id and od)..I dealt w/ this same exact thing..The only proper fix is custom machined bushings but is cost prohibitive and weeks to wait..I sadly had to tack weld on some large washers as shims..
Let me know if you need any info

Steve

 

[Clutchee]

Hey Im going to post your thread in the MS section.....
I know they have at least 5 rigs running this lift w/o issue.

 

[Blueegg]

If i understand your issue, it is not a problem. My HFS shackles are a little wider than the spring and bushing but it works fine. Here is a photo of mine, there are two washers in there to fill the gap.

 

[Slow Poke]

If I knew that I would not have bought these springs. I know it's "not a problem" but If I had it to do again I would have gone with a manufacturer that has an available bushing option. I understand that Tom is not an fj40 expert, he's a leaf spring expert. However, you build a set of springs for a vehicle you'd think welding on washers to make them fit wouldn't be part of the installation.

 

[nicholastheczar]

I have the 4" version of these springs and bougt some new bushings from SOR for my maf shackles. With the bushings they fit like a glove, no washers needed. I am happy with my hell creek springs.

Nick

 

[Slow Poke]

Well that's good news! I have been searching all over online and MAF was going to be my first call in the morning. They don't say what size the spring eye is on their safari springs but just looking at them made me think that they would be close.

 

[Chop Shop]

There are shims all over your vehicle from the factory and you are whining about putting a couple shims in a spring? Wow!

Why not complain about the shackles too?

I have put on hundreds of lift springs and aftermarket springs hardly ever fit perfect.

I vote for washer shim.

Or just tighten them up till they bend over the ends of the shackle and start to smash out the bushings. Thats what most DIYers do.

 

[todt]

I ordered a few bushings from SOR for my 4" hell creek the one sent were for stock shackles. They(SOR) have all the dimensions on their website and cheap I thought. Could have probably got correct bushings from Tom as he was more than helpful. Either way not an issue with me and are fine.

 

[77TLCFJ40]

I'm confused. Are you saying your issue is the diameter of the spring eye or the width of the springs at the eye. Hell Creek springs are designed with a larger diameter eye so a larger diameter bushing can be used. This helps remove some of the harshness of leaf springs. The bushing shoulders are also thicker for the same reason.

I've installed the Hell Creek 2.5" lift on stock shackles and the 4" lift on 2nd hand ConFerr +1.5" shackles and had no issues.

Maybe you need to rethink your shackle choice?

Hang in there and find a solution you are happy with. Grease everything very well. Whatever you do, don't overtighten the shackle bolts. It will limit the cycle of the springs and the ride will be very harsh. After you get it all done, take it out and flex the springs. This will help to break them in and smooth out the ride substantially. You will be very happy with your new suspension.

 

[Slow Poke]

I'm confused. Are you saying your issue is the diameter of the spring eye or the width of the springs at the eye.

Yes to both. I talked to Man-a-fre today and I think #2232 is the right size. It lists the size of the pin as 16mm but the tech told me it fits their 4+ shackles.

4+ shackle bushing link MAF Bushings

Tom from Hell Creek called and said he has bushing special made for his springs and is sending a set. He said he wasn't sure about the ones from Man-a-fre but that his have the thicker shoulder to accommodate for the narrower spring. No shims needed.
Great customer service.

 

[77TLCFJ40]

So you did not initially order the spring bushings from Hell Creek?

Either way, it sounds like a solution has been found. Glad to hear its working out for you. Please keep us posted on your progress and dont forget we love pics!

 

[Slow Poke]

No bushings on the initial order. That's what I meant when I said we got our wires crossed. I understood that OEM springs and the Hell Creek springs used the same bushings. Not so. I took pic's of the before stance and will post up when finished. Currently it's hangin in the air with its nose about a foot higher than the rear. Very undignified.

 

[Slow Poke]

Photo update

Here's a before and after. Some unexpected positives with this lift. The rear wheels have moved back into the wheel well a bit. Not sure how much because I never measured what I had before but it is definitely noticeable. The shackle angle is better in the back too. Probably the springs are longer than my stockers? No need for the right rear spring shim that I had on my old springs either. Cruiser lean is gone. The overall lift is more than expected. 3.75 inches in the rear and 3 inches in the front. This might settle out over time and flexing. Before I go flexing it though I need new brake lines. My rear flexible line is stretched tight. And to finish out the whole bushing thing, Tom had the bushings here in no time and were a perfect fit!

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Great results! Congrats.