Hey guys I need some real time help....

[K2KK]

I bought some new Hell Creek springs but after a rubicon run I think that they are too long. I got some stock springs from a friend and I am not sure they are the right length. I can't go off of the others since their length is in question. And ofcourse I am in the middle of the install now.
My measurements are from the center pin to center of the eye.
This is a rear spring measurement.
Rear is 22 3/4 + -
Front is 19 3/8 +-

Can any one give me an accurate measurement? I eagerly await your tapes measurements..
Thanks

 

[D'Animal]

This should help with the measurements and which way they go on.


https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/261355-real-time-ome-suspension-install-question.html

 

[K2KK]

Thanks D'animal.
The short is to the front. I am just not sure if they are the correct springs or not. Is it possible that they came off of a 40 with a different spring length. I read that other thread and the short is to the front. The spring that is on...half on that is the lighter of the set. Meaning 6 leaf not the 7 leaf.

 

[K2KK]

Also, the spring is shy of the rear shackle by about 3/4" or so...

 

[D'Animal]

To my knowledge, all FJ40's take the same length springs.

 

[K2KK]

There are no painted marking on the spring at all, but their alignment is correct.

 

[K2KK]

Do i need to compress the spring to be able to insert the pin?
I am a rookie mechanic...doh

 

[D'Animal]

The centering pin?

Do i need to compress the spring to be able to insert the pin?
I am a rookie mechanic...doh

If Yes, then yes you do have to squeeze the leaves together to get the pin in. Big "C" clamps are the most helpfull.

 

[K2KK]

It's not the centering pin but the shackle pin. I have the stock shackles yet it seems that the d#%b things are short...

 

[K2KK]

I am trying a bottle jack between the spring and the frame to flatten it out and that might work.

 

[D'Animal]

With no weight on them, they may seem short.

The stock length on my 1977 FJ40 is shackles is approx 2 3/4" center to center of the bolts.

 

[K2KK]

Thanks for staying with me D'Animal, My shackles are the same as yours. Just the shackle isn't lining up with the spring. I wrestled the drivers side in, it seems that the passenger side won't line up.

 

[D'Animal]

Front or rear?

Did you already bolt it to the axle?

 

[K2KK]

Holy Moly!!!What a pita that was. It was the rear and I managed to beat the pin in. It is now sitting on the springs and the schackle is straight down. 90 degrees to mother earth. Not great but it should settle a bit too. The U bolts were not on during that process. I will secure them now.
Thanks tons for your help.
Now for the front.....The schackle hanger mid rig might be folded a bit. I have been going through bushings every month. After the Rubicon I had a 6 hour ride with the springs riding on the pins...not fun.
When I put the front springs on and check for alignment and it is folded can I heat the hanger up at the bend and beat it over to align it to the spring?

 

[D'Animal]

You will want to repair the hanger correctly before paying for alignment or driving it.

 

[K2KK]

Sorry I don't think I was clear. I want to align the hanger to the spring. Not front end alignment. Is there anything wrong with heating it up and using a hammer to beat it into alignment. I think I will need to bolt the spring pack to the axle first and check the alignment and the spring together. Is there a better way. I am taking the old springs off now.

 

[K2KK]

Progress report.....

The front fixed spring perches were folded a bit as described by another on this forum. I can't remember who saw that but thanks for bring it to my attention. I just used my BFH to move them around a bit and the pin went in fairly smooth. I am working on the drivers side and that should align as well.

 

[D'Animal]

BFH's are Great!

 

[K2KK]

Ding!!!!!!
Well, it took me forever but they are in and the spring perch is straighter than it was. And yes D'animal a BFH sure do come in handy. Just close your eyes when you are under and pounding, especially if you were at the dunes before this repair...lol I think the neighborhood cats are looking at me funny...
Thanks again for your help. As it turnes out the lift springs were long by about 1 1/2". That is why the rear springs were banging up into the rear spring perch. Going to give it the rundown tomorrow. A bit of a recon up the mountains for our club run next week.
Thanks again and have a good one.

Keith

 

[CruisinTiger]

Congrats Keith on sticking with it and gettin the job done...I always applaud a new mechanic.....reminds me when I first worked on my cruiser and thought...oh hell what if I break it? Good job....next time it will be easier.