Suspension change...easy or a nightmare?

[snowgoose]

Hey Gang

Am considering doin my own basic suspension upgrade since the two 4wd companies I rang have both not got back to me (...Geez is it just me or has customer service in every field gone down the s***ter since the China syndrome has kicked in?)

Any hows, sorry to digress, yep I guess what I need is some idea of the challenge involved in replacing leaf springs, shockies, shackles etc etc.

I generally tackle most mechanical work, but 4wds are pretty new to me so feel a little out of my depth.

Many thanks

Snowy

 

[roscoFJ73]

In theory its not difficult ,but with old pins and bolts,it can be hard work.
We have the free FSM with pictures ,step by step of spring removal and replacement.
Master Portal - forums.bauchan.org/Toyota Workshop & Repair Manuals
The 84-90 60 and 70 series manual of 96mb is the one
Basically you jack the axle up until you can rest the body on stands under the chassis(with wheels removed)and lower the jack under the axle until its just supporting the axle.
Remove the shocks(easy and can be done 1st)
Unbolt the ubolts
Unbolt the hanger pin and shackles pins (these often get stuck in there and need a big hammer to move them. Some burn the rubber out with the oxy)
Remove the spring.
To replace is a reverse procedure making sure the drivers side is on the drivers side
You 'll need a torque wrench capable of about 105 ft lb.

Read the manual for finer points or maybe others will have some tips of their own.
You'll need a kit for the bolt on the stabiliser bar at the front

 

[Ron R]

If you've done some wrenching more often, it should be pretty straight forward to you.

Make sure you work in a save environment. Use axle-supports and chassis/body-supports so the rig cannot drop on you while you're under there!

Hardest part will be to get the old parts off. The bushings often are hard to remove. The rubber more or less being vulcanised to the pins over time.
Once that is done, it's just a matter of sorting out what has to where. Some manufacturers provide different kind of leaves for LH or RH-side so you have to be aware of that. Also the leaves have a front and a rear side so you'll have to mount them in the right direction.
In my opinion the U-bolts are the most tricky part. Make sure the centre-pin is neatly in it's hole and then tighten the u-bolts evenly and with the needed torque. The thread-ends showing after tightening up should have the same length at each end of the bolt.
With the shocks you'll find the necessary instructions as how to fit them. No biggy there.
Afterwards check all the bolts and nuts or they are thightened properly. A loose axle is no fun at all.

 

[snowgoose]

Thanks Rosco and Ron, really appreciate the advice and pointers. Basically a strong arm and a bit of patience seem to be the key.

One more thing, so is there a difference between right and left for these leaf springs? I mentioned it to where I'm picking the bits up and as far as they're concerned they are the same (Westralia Springs). Knew nothing about any differences, so I am gettin a little nervous.

Once again, many thanks for the advice and links

cheers

Snowy

 

[roscoFJ73]

Thanks Rosco and Ron, really appreciate the advice and pointers. Basically a strong arm and a bit of patience seem to be the key.

One more thing, so is there a difference between right and left for these leaf springs? I mentioned it to where I'm picking the bits up and as far as they're concerned they are the same (Westralia Springs). Knew nothing about any differences, so I am gettin a little nervous.

Once again, many thanks for the advice and links

cheers

Snowy

If they dont have L and R ,they are unique among the aussie springmakers. Its not so much a L and R issue,more a drivers side and passenger side ,as most springs suit LHD as well.
When you get them ,turn the rears upside down and compare the height of the arch on a level floor.
If there is a higher one ,put it on the DS.
Westralia Springs are old,I think they go back to horse and cart days.When I was a kid ,they had an old foundry in west perth where the freeway goes through now .
If they say you dont need LH RH springs they probably know what they are saying as long as they are guaranteeing a level ride

 

[snowgoose]

Cheers Rosco, thanks, so if she just gives me an identical pair, maybe I should get some confirmation from others at the business before I hand over the reddies, whadda ya think?

 

[roscoFJ73]

Cheers Rosco, thanks, so if she just gives me an identical pair, maybe I should get some confirmation from others at the business before I hand over the reddies, whadda ya think?

The bulk of their landcruiser work is probably for 75 series trays in the mining and building industry and it probably doesnt matter too much with the heavy duty springs.

I would politely mention the other spring companies (dobinsons ,beltons,jenkins,west coast)stamp the springs for each side on the 73 series and 60 series(same rear spring).
Im kind of wary dealing with women sometimes as they often know little about vehicles pecularities even if they have the run of the office.
I had one tell me that the 73 series doesnt exist because it wasnt in her suspension quote book.(because her husband knew to use 60 series springs on the rear and 75 series on the fronts and never bothered to mention it in the quote book)

Is there a particular reason your getting the springs from them? If they are way cheaper than anyone else I would ask where the spring steel is coming from

 

[Ron R]

At the moment I'm travelling so unable to keep up with the conversation regularly.
I agree with Rosco to be cautious about the quality. No so much because it could endanger you and your rig, but it will cost you a fair amount of money to get them and a lot of work to get them under the rig.
I my self have parabolics, provided by a local builder Heystee Parabolic Springs . Left and right are fully identical so there is nothing to worry there.
But I remember him mentioning that he had a batch manufactured and many leaves in that batch tended to break near the eye because they were not properly treated by the manufacturer. AFAIK he replaced them all for free but then you still had to get them under there.
Dunno where you are looking for but I enjoy my parabolics very much. The ride is softer, payload according papers the same but in reality higher.
If you should look at HST keep in mind they are a bit pricey, I payed about 900 Euro's for the springs only. Think that is about 1500 $AUS(?)

 

[snowgoose]

The bulk of their landcruiser work is probably for 75 series trays in the mining and building industry and it probably doesnt matter too much with the heavy duty springs.

I would politely mention the other spring companies (dobinsons ,beltons,jenkins,west coast)stamp the springs for each side on the 73 series and 60 series(same rear spring).
Im kind of wary dealing with women sometimes as they often know little about vehicles pecularities even if they have the run of the office.
I had one tell me that the 73 series doesnt exist because it wasnt in her suspension quote book.(because her husband knew to use 60 series springs on the rear and 75 series on the fronts and never bothered to mention it in the quote book)

Yeh had a chat with a few of the guys and they indicate that they're the same, I said ...well ... okay then, but nearly everyone one else has them listed as two different part numbers. They said this was more about helping the factory fitters get everything in order, guess that kinda makes sense, but we'll see anyay in a cupla days

Is there a particular reason your getting the springs from them? If they are way cheaper than anyone else I would ask where the spring steel is coming from

Rosco, the only reason for gettin them there was service, rang up, was quoted a price immediately (more expensive than others), then told they would get them off the shelf now and put to the side. Went down there, all ready to go, paid, just backed into dispatch, a guy loaded all the bits in and whala, too easy.

Will post report as soon as I get this done, prolly take me a cupla days.

cheers