Mikes Samurai build / use / fixing broken bits after abuse

[mike harris]

I only took a couple of ice, wasn't there long !!

[dan_2k_uk]

Must have been the cold.

I've given my ironmans a pretty good beasting and never had any problems however your truck obviously twist them up more than mine.

Got the springs off the YJ thats being broken on ebay this weekend so looking forward to the softer ride

[mike harris]

Yeh I don't know, hopefully buying some ome ones this week if devon 4x4 can get them.

[ScottieJ]

That sucks that your play in France ended pretty quickly

Where exactly did the springs snap? Where the centre bolt is or on the edge of the spring perch/spring plate.

I really don't think the cold itself would have caused them to fail like that, people in countries that are a lot colder than the UK or France would ever get (canada, iceland, norway etc.) don't have issues with leaf springs failing just because of the temperature. I'm wondering if it was spring wrap related as that's usually what causes leafs to snap. spoa, boggers and low gearing is asking quite a lot from a leaf spring really, think about the amount of torque that must be going through the springs with all the grip and low gearing.

[dazerede]

go to previous page scottie there is two pics of the broken spring

[ScottieJ]

So it snapped through the centre pin then. I just remembered a thread I read years ago.

You probably do not want to hear this but the only reason for a spring to snap in the middle through the bolt hole is that the U bolts were not tight enough. When properly clamped this portion of the spring is inactive & receives no stress. After breaking 2 springs the same way I was told the reason by someone who knew what they were talking about, since then I have researched the design & construction of leaf springs & this is backed up by what I have read.
The Suzuki lower plate is not up to resisting the forces of the heavier springs we fit & is liable to bend thus reducing the clamp pressure. It can be modified by adding strips of 1/4" bar along its length (or make something considerably stronger the basic material is not thick enough). After fitting new springs ensure that locking nuts are fitted & correctly torqued, the torque should be checked weekly until they no longer need tightening. Do not reuse the Suzuki nuts & spring washers they will not lock reliably for a second time.

Tim

http://forum.difflock.com/viewtopic.php ... 74f67d411f

[mike harris]

Yeh the bolts where tight mate, ice bashing may have had something to do with it too !!

Hay ho, I have emailed devon 4x4 so il get some in the next few weeks.

I am going to park it up for a little bit now, I have got a new job so I am really busy. That and breaking suzukis at weekends now is manic as I haven't got the time during the week.

Month or so il get it out and give it some love, maybe mod it a bit more. We shall see

Mike

[mike harris]

Right.

Old man emu springs are nearly sorted for the rear.

Trail tough don't make a rear standard length spring missing link kit. So.....

I am going to cut of the rear spring mount from the chassis, move it towards the front buy the amount needed to mount the missing link, make a very thick plate for it and the resting place for the missing link to sit on, weld the whole lot on or bolt it, and then fit bone shackles... Equally rear missing links.

That's the plan, watch this !!

[ScottieJ]

Have you already ordered the old man emu's? I just thought what about going YJ with missing links or just long shackles on the rear? That would get you more flex than lifted just rears with missing links and save you chopping off the shackle mount and moving it.

[mike harris]

Don't like yj springs, Suzuki is the only way for me !!!

I have ordered the springs, but matey from low range offload in America has just emailed me to say there bolt on kit is only a week or so away from being on sale...

Bolt on rear missing links, sounds good to me. I presume you still have to cut the old spring eye of and move it in though?!