Bend then Snap Leaf Spring (1 Viewer)

[shermanfunk]

Was out wheeling in the lava fields today, got snagged and bent the front leaf spring, which cut my trip short, naturally. On the way out, the bent leaf spring of course got snagged and completely snapped off. ****!!
Was able to get back to the highway and get home ok, but it's not lookin good.
After some research on the forum here, I put in an email to Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters.
I also looked on ARB's website but am a little overwhelmed.
Looking for an inexpensive repair, until I can afford to fully upgrade...
Is there any quick fix for this, to keep me on the road? This is my daily driver by the way.
thanks for your time!
http://imageshack.us/a/img547/232/photolzl.th.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img7/5134/photo1be.th.jpg

 

[shermanfunk]

better pictures here...
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/32/picture2th.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/441/picture1wh.jpg/


or not. imageshack is screwing me

 

[shermanfunk]

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/547/photolzl.jpg/

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Those are about the longest front shackles I've ever seen. It must be a bear to drive on the road.

You did not break the main leaf, but since it now has less support, it will probably break soon. I would not drive this.

Easiest solution would be to get another similar spring and swap it in. Failing that, a longer leaf cut down to the length of the old spring will buy you some time. If a buddy has some old FJ60 spings, you could just get that leaf out and swap it into your pack.

No matter what you do get rid of those crazy long shackles. You caster is way off and it will be unstable under emergency braking on the road. I'll bet it follows grooves in the road really bad too.

 

[Mark W]

If those shackles are as long as they look... i would not drive the rig on public roads until they are removed. I would not take it on the trail either.

And I have driven some sketchy rigs over the years.

a used set of springs should not be hard to find or expensive. A local spring shop can repair or replace your damaged pack.


Mark...

 

[GLTHFJ60]

a used set of springs should not be hard to find or expensive. A local spring shop can repair or replace your damaged pack.

It depends, it looks like he's on Kona island in Hawaii. Not sure how many salvage yards they have out there



I agree with Drew and Mark. Get some proper shackles on there when you replace the springs. That should not only help drive better, but it will also help prevent the spring from getting snagged on obstacles, so this won't happen again.

I DD'd my cruiser for two weeks with a broken main leaf. It was broken at the front of the pack, right at the front shackle. While I would never recommend it, sometimes you have to do what you've got to do.

 

[Mark W]

I noticed the location after I posted. Yep, a used spring pack may be hard to find. And there may not even be a spring shop n the island.

Shipping a used spring in will not be cheap. When the cost of shipping is considered and the likely condition of the rest of the springs, it may be that it makes the most sense to get a new set of aftermarket sprigs shipped in.


Mark...

 

[lcwizard]

and I get crap for liking shackle reversals...........give me your address and i'll send you a free shackle
reversal. I did the same thing to my 55 and 60

 

[willflow]

Sign me up for that shackle reverse!

 

[shermanfunk]

Now I'm embarrassed of my shackles. It's like having buck teeth.

 

[snowboardonsnow]

Now I'm embarrassed of my shackles. It's like having buck teeth.

Aghhahahahah thats awesome

 

[shermanfunk]

HUGE HUGE Shout out to LCWizard for sending me the MAF shackle reversal kit!!! I now have those, the MAF U-Bolt flip kit, and some brand new Old Man Emu medium leaf springs for the front.
Any suggestions from anyone on anything else I need to get this job done with this combination of parts?
I am only doing the front end right now...

thanks,

/sherman

 

[GLTHFJ60]

HUGE HUGE Shout out to LCWizard for sending me the MAF shackle reversal kit!!! I now have those, the MAF U-Bolt flip kit, and some brand new Old Man Emu medium leaf springs for the front.
Any suggestions from anyone on anything else I need to get this job done with this combination of parts?
I am only doing the front end right now...

thanks,

/sherman

If you're only doing the front then the front is going to sit a couple of inches lower than the rear. I'd suggest getting rear springs and shackles as well.

 

[underdogg]

lcwizard

god damn that Dave Gore ( lcwizard ) is one hell of a nice guy !!! he has great been friend to everyone

 

[Devils Paw 80]

If you're only doing the front then the front is going to sit a couple of inches lower than the rear. I'd suggest getting rear springs and shackles as well.

He's got those ghetto long shackles on the rear too, but nevertheless I'm afraid it will end up with a reverse stink bug after the front is lifted. Hey Sherman, did ya get bushings for those new springs? With the shackle reversal and lift springs, your lift will be significantly more than you had with the shackles, so you'll probably need longer shocks, longer brake lines, and sway bar extensions. Ask Phil to give you a hand with the project next time he comes over I'm the guy who was with him in December one day, admiring your pretty clean Cruiser.

 

[lcwizard]

Pulling the bottom leaf out of the OME mediums will let it sit about an 1" lower and ride a lot better.
The Ome 's are a tad short so this will improve the shackle angle. I ran them that way on mine even with my bumper and a winch up front

 

[BC40]

HUGE HUGE Shout out to LCWizard for sending me the MAF shackle reversal kit!!! I now have those, the MAF U-Bolt flip kit, and some brand new Old Man Emu medium leaf springs for the front.


I am only doing the front end right now...

thanks,

/sherman

If your rear springs are as flat as the fronts were, and you are looking for a low bugdet solution for the back, do a rear soa with stock length shackles (assuming you have a welder and the know how). The front SR/spring combo you're installing is probably 3-4" taller than stock, and your stock springs are probably sagged a couple inches. Should be level enough. That's basically how I had my BJ60 and it worked out ok

 

[shermanfunk]

Hey Sherman, did ya get bushings for those new springs?

Hey what's up!!!
Are you still in Puna?

yes on the bushings. I have in my possession a set of Daystar bushings, one set of brand new 1" lift Daystar shackles, and one set of 2.5" Old Man Emu Medium leaf springs for the front at my house.
I just ordered the 2.5" lift Old Man Emu rear mediums, another set of Daystar 1" shackles for the rear, and another Daystar bushing set. I also have the Man A Fre U Bolt flip kit for the front.
Not sure if I'm going to do the shackle reversal yet, might just do new leaf springs, shackles, and U bolt flip on the front and the back.
Then later, do the shackle reversal after I can confirm a buddy can help me weld on the new gussets for the shackle reversal...
I'm hoping after putting on the 1" lift Daystar shackles on both the front and back, the new leaf springs, and U bolt flip kit on both front and back, that it sits fairly level.
I do have a slight sag on the drivers side rear, but it's really subtle....

thanks guys for your input so far

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Nope, I'm long gone. Will have to come back your way next time to see the improvements. The current parts list and plan sounds good. My 62 also has a very subtle lean to the driver's side. You may retain a bit of that lean with the new springs, but hopefully won't have the higher rear "stinkbug" effect.
Post up some photos when completed, if possible.

Edit: FYI, ran into a Cummins powered SOA 60 in Hilo with a Profitt's Cruisers sticker on it. The owners now live in the Hawi area. They're a younger couple with a baby, and said the truck was the least baby friendly vehicle imaginable. I asked if they wanted to get rid of it, but he suggested they'd want a lot of money for it, AND it's a work in progress. LOL.