Leaf Spring Question

[Michael.lee]

I was under my truck last night greasing the shackles on my springs. I noticed that on both rear springs- the clamps around the front end of the springs were not tight like all of the other clamps. They appeared to be a little bent and move around a bit, where as the clamps on the back end of the springs, and the ones on the front springs were nice and tight.

I just ordered my silverstar- so I'll post photos of what I am talking about tomorrow.

My question is: Do I need to be worried about this?

I have been getting some leaf-spring clunk- the PO had told me about this. I am planning on jacking the truck up to see if I can spread some grease between the springs one of these days.

(While I am at it, question about that. Where is the best place to jack the truck up so the weight is off the springs. I don't have a hi-lift, but I do have a 2 1/2 lift on the truck. Ron at Rocky Mountain Cruisers had told me if I needed to jack the truck up to change tires, etc... to use the plate on the bottom of the arc of the springs... but that obviously wouldn't work in this case. I know, I am a newbie.)

 

[boots4]

Any point on the frame will work to jack it up. You could use an engine hoist and lift up the rear looped around that crossmember (you can use the bumper or hitch if you have one and it's strong enough). Just make sure you block the front tires, maybe put it in 4wd, lock the hubs and put it in gear too so it doesn't roll on you.

If you want your packs to flex a little better you could open up those straps. It will increase your drop. If not I wouldn't really worry about it. I would look your springs over to make sure you don't have a broken leaf though.

 

[Michael.lee]

Thanks boots- So as long as I don't have a broken spring- the clamp isn't that big of a deal? I don't have an engine hoist (yet... someday) but for now I am going to pick up some jack stands and a nice floor jack.

 

[boots4]

Yup, not that big of a deal. Now if you were running SOA then having those loose could introduce some more axle wrap if you didn't have a wrap bar but that's another topic.

 

[Michael.lee]

Awesome. I love getting the "not a big deal" answer. I dread the day that it is something like "sorry man, but your cruiser just puked all of it's oil and died."

Quick question- I remember reading that a 60 weighs about 2500 lbs. Is that correct? When I am out shopping for a floor jack / jack stands, what weight rating should I be looking for? Is a 2 ton sufficient? 3 ton for the stands? I am trying to find the sweet spot between reliable and affordable.

 

[lehiguy]

Awesome. I love getting the "not a big deal" answer. I dread the day that it is something like "sorry man, but your cruiser just puked all of it's oil and died."

Quick question- I remember reading that a 60 weighs about 2500 lbs. Is that correct? When I am out shopping for a floor jack / jack stands, what weight rating should I be looking for? Is a 2 ton sufficient? 3 ton for the stands? I am trying to find the sweet spot between reliable and affordable.

Your owner's manual has the curb weight at 4200. Mine weighs in right at 4800 without me in it. I know this because I recycled a bunch of aluminum (the dead remains of a BMW engine, but that is another story) and had the Cruiser weighed before and after unloading.

 

[Michael.lee]

Cool. Thanks. So I should be getting a much beefier jack then. Thanks for the info. Must have been a wee bit sideways on tequila or something when I came up with the silly 2500 number.

 

[Downey]

Michael, I would be more worried about spring alignment clamps/bindings that were too tight (pinch bound). Some spring manufactures pinch-bind their spring clamps, which makes the spring stiff, not loose and fluid. If all the leafs are pinched together, then the spring just acts like one big thick leaf that knocks the dentures out of your mouth on every little bump.

 

[87 HJ60]

A 2 ton jack should be ok with jacking up your Cruiser. Don't get confused by thinking that since the weight of your Cruiser is 4200 lbs that a 2 ton jack can't handle lifting it. You have to remember that the jack is only lifting part of the total weight of the vehicle rather than the entire weight of the vehicle.

Cool. Thanks. So I should be getting a much beefier jack then. Thanks for the info. Must have been a wee bit sideways on tequila or something when I came up with the silly 2500 number.

 

[cruiser88]

If you are concerned about the clamps you could take a C-clamp and squeeze them back tighter

 

[CardinalFJ60]

Uh I'll second that!

Michael, I would be more worried about spring alignment clamps/bindings that were too tight (pinch bound). Some spring manufactures pinch-bind their spring clamps, which makes the spring stiff, not loose and fluid. If all the leafs are pinched together, then the spring just acts like one big thick leaf that knocks the dentures out of your mouth on every little bump.

Just like the Ranchos on my FJ40... it's a rough ride...