drilling springs

[bad_religion_au]

if i redrill the center hole on the main leaf of a leaf pack, to relocate the axle 1 and a half inches further forward, will it (or the original hole) be any cause for concern, strengthwise?

 

[woody]

for one leaf, it's possible, but I never had an issue with it.....

 

[PabloCruise]

I was wondering the same thing.
Mark W recomends this for the second spring when flipping a spring pack front to rear. This way you keep the military wrap out front...

 

[HI^C]

do it, had better luck using endmills in the drill press, then actual drill bits.

 

[bad_religion_au]

yo woody how much did you move your spring hole, wasit on the main spring... i know how much you beat on your junk...

considering doing the perches instead,

 

[HI^C]

do both if so needed,

you cannot move too far on the springs that will cause the next leaf to hang over the mounting eye.

 

[Rock Taxi]

I have not tried this myself, but have had people I trust their knowledge indicate that a masonry bit works MUCH better than a steel bit when drilling leaf springs.

Ed

 

[RUSH55]

I've used Cryobit's and Snap-on Thunder bits to drill thru 3/8"+ spring steel; work fine, and drilled waaaay better with no lube.

 

[Mace]

My fronts were drilled to accomidate the extended wheelbase.

do it .
not having the military wrap in the correct place is a mistake...

 

[PabloCruise]

No one has ever done this and cracked a leaf?

 

[pbgbottle]

i had one crack , i noticed it after a day of wheeling . while going over the rig . but where the leaf cracked it was still sandwitched between the u-bolts and u bolt plate .didn't even notice .cracked on the factory hole .
don't know why i didn't think there was any movement in that part of the spring .

 

[denis]

I have not tried this myself, but have had people I trust their knowledge indicate that a masonry bit works MUCH better than a steel bit when drilling leaf springs.

Ed

WTF ?

I've drilled a couple old ones, it wasn't really difficult, one pilot hole and then the big hole, lube, sharp bits, it was no big deal. I don't remember what speed I used, I don't think it was really fast... HTH