FJ40 Front Leaf Spring Shift / Popping (2 Viewers)

[WyoRambler]

Hey everyone! I have a situation going on that I don’t think is serious, but it’s quite irritating. I would notice a popping sound when I was pulling out of a parallel parking spot or making sharp slow turns, and later off-road when going over rocks or articulating the suspension. Trying to find the problem, I finally had a buddy watch while I moved the steering from full lock left to full lock right and we found the problem. It seems my spring pack is maybe binding up a bit and then “pops” from one side to the other.

Has anyone had this happen, and what did you do to fix it? The sound resonates through the frame and I don’t like hearing it. I have about 20,000 miles on it since I finished the restoration, and it just recently started doing this. Attached is a link to a short video of what I’m talking about, some photos of the suspension setup, and some details of the build below. Thanks for any help you can offer!

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4” OME Springs
Saginaw Steering Conversion
Front Shackle Reversal
Cut and turn axle with 3 degrees of Caster
33” tires

 

[charliemeyer007]

Looks like you should install some nylon or hdpe plastic large area washers to keep the spring pack centered in the mount. Measure the gap, find some plastic that will shim both sides equally. 1/8, 3/16 or 1/4 inch stuff ought to work. Use a hole saw to cut the big disk, then a regular drill bit to make the center fit. If it works make the shims out of brass or stainless steel.

 

[cruisermatt]

Look up tack welding the bushing sleeves.

 

[B y r o n]

Check out my post #19 in this thread.

 

[Augustiron]

U bolts at 100ft-lbs?

 

[GA Architect]

FWIW: When mine started doing that, this was the culprit. It was the Left rear pinned end bushing.

 

[Augustiron]

^^ that too