Spring Sagging???

[alstaz]

The last few times I took my 69 FJ40 offroad I have experienced a new problem. Rather than having the springs / Shackles invert they are swinging all the way foreward and pinning themselves to the frame in front of the shackle hanger. What would cause this?

I have a 4" lift on the cruiser... (Dar's springs if anyone remembers them) and am running stock length greasable shackles on the front. I have had this suspension on here for about 3 years now. I have recently added a Warn XD9000i to the front frame. Would the added weight of the winch be sagging the springs and locking them in this position.

When this happens, I pull out my Hi-Lift and jack it up and it resets itself until I hit a good jarring bump on the trail. What should I do?

Al

 

[Desertdave]

Front springs or rear springs??

I couldn't tell from your writeup which shackle was causing the problem. Maybe you need anti-inversion shackles to prevent this.

I had the issue in the rear. It would happen when I'd unload the rear suspension, as when going down-hill. Short-term I mounted something to prevent them inverting. Long-term I bought another set up spring that were slightly longer eye-to-eye.

HTH

 

[RHINO]

sounds like DAR makes (or made) lift springs the right way... to counter the added arch of the lift springs SHOULD be longer, that way you maintain a good shackle angle blahh,blahh,,, weather your lift has sagged or whatever it sounds as though you could do well with lower bumpstops, either buy the longer poly ones or space yours down some. it'll be a bit trickey to figure out how much to prevent camming over but you can figure it out.

 

[alstaz]

It is both shackles in the front that are swinging foreward. I wouldn't think that it is an issue of inversion because it would have to be going in the other direction and lock in against the back side of the shackle hanger. I thought about putting on anti inversion shackles the other way to help.

Bumpstop...That is a good thought. I suppose if I extend them then they would prevent the springs from compressing to the point of foreward locking. Thanks for that suggestion.

Al

 

[RHINO]

no problem,,,,, i would NOT recommend using anti inversion shackles backwards cause you will most likely ruin your springs.

 

[hammerhead]

You might want to check your bushings. If they are crushed severely or MIA altogether it could allow shackle to lay down. Saw this on a HEEP in Moab a couple years back.

 

[alstaz]

I'll take a look at the bushings too. I replaced them with polyurethane about 3 years ago so i doubt that is the prob. But hey, Who knows anything is possible.