Rear suspension sag & fix

[FineWynsFJ40]

I'm pulling off my rear suspension on the 40 to stick in a couple add-a-leafs to level her out. In the last year the back end has sagged about 2 inches or so, and this is already with a Hellwig helper spring kit added! Nothing against the Hellwig kit I got from Specter, my springs are now too much for it to handle. That and flexing without bumpstops has probably not helped any, I will be ordering those as well.

I am calling Man-A-Fre on Monday to order. What I would like to know is two things: dimensions of a stock FJ40 u-bolt, and any and all advice for pulling apart a spring pack, adding in the leaves, then putting the pack together. Any other advice would be great. Thanks!

Brian

 

[35inchoverdrive]

I just put short AAL's in the rear of my 40. My original springs where sagging pretty badly, since the 40 has had to play 'truck' for the family during the last few years. It was really straightforward. I ended up grinding the nuts off of the center pins because they where too crusty. Just make sure you use two stout C clamps to keep the springs from unloading unsafely while you are taking everything apart.

 

[73fj]

If your gonna do all that work why not just get new springs? Helper springs and add a leaves are bandaids IMO.

 

[FineWynsFJ40]

They are band aids, but at this point I'm looking for a fix that will last a couple years. I need to graduate from college, get settled into my job and new surroundings (400 miles from home), buy a pole barn with a house, move everything down there, and THEN begin tinkering again. So, this is something that is economical and is not a long term fix. Excellent observation though, thank you!!

35inchoverdrive, how much did the short ones lift it up? Back to level?

Brian

 

[silverduc68]

my 55 used to sag at the left side frnt & back ,until i took it on a good off road trail and it straightened it out somehow

 

[73fj]

They are band aids, but at this point I'm looking for a fix that will last a couple years. I need to graduate from college, get settled into my job and new surroundings (400 miles from home), buy a pole barn with a house, move everything down there, and THEN begin tinkering again. So, this is something that is economical and is not a long term fix. Excellent observation though, thank you!!



Brian

Hey man, I've put lots of band aids on things until the time and money thing came together. Just the way it works out sometimes. I've had my rear springs out more than once doing my SOA and I know whats involved in the removal and then taking apart the spring pack, it sucked. I hope the AAL route works for ya

 

[Volcanic Iceberg]

I put the Man-A-Fre Softer helpers on mine. Worked great! BandAid or not I have been really happy with them. Got the desired lift without a compramised ride. Putting them on is a pain. I broke a U bolt. Both center pins busted and the whole thing took me a day. You might be faster. Just get a huge screwdriver and pry the retainer bands open and put in the helper springs. I used a couple "C" clamps to get them back together. Good luck!

 

[Mal64]

Rear sag

Hi All from down under, I have a BJ42 and the rear was sagged as well, I found out that because the rear springs are the same length as the front this is the main problem. The fix here is to lengthen the spring pack and if I remember correctly move the centre pin forward 1 inch, this keeps the wheel base the same. This worked well for me but I then added some airbags as well, this made sure when I load up I can make sure the car stays flat.

Hope this helps
Mal