Okay guys I went on a trial ride today and tore up the rear suspension a bit. Long story short my friends jeep completely crapped out. The motor mount broke, his engine came down, crushed his oil filter loosing all oil, and that was that. We were way back on the trail, and I had to throw 4 people in the truck, 2 dogs, and everyone's gear + all my stuff.. Basically way overloaded. Although I took it slow it was very rocky and rough. I all the sudden heard a loud metal ping, and clanks, and found my overload spring behind the truck.. The shim was no where to be found (nor my bump stop), so I assume that had worked its way out without notice.

Some background on my truck. I purchased it with the lift installed already. The previous owner didn't install it, so he wasn't sure either. The shocks are rough country, so I assume the springs are also.

I came from the jeep word, and have never messed with leaf spring. If anyone has any recommendations here, or has had this happen before please post. I assume that the pack bolt must have sheared off for the shim to fall out the back?

Has anyone ever dealt with Rough country customer service? I wonder if they could help me answer some questions and get me some new parts ordered up.

The top pic shows the missing shim under the overload spring ( I lifted the truck and jammed it back into the pack )
2nd pic shows where the rear leaf was hitting the rear bumper mount/frame area
3rd pic shows the missing bump stop, and the completely bent pack bolt.

 

All i can think, is that i know those U bolts (that hold the axle to the springs) need to be torqued to 90-100 ft/lbs. If they were loose, then they could have flexed out of there, especially considering all the weight and rocky conditions you described. Without knowing how exactly the springs were installed (experienced mechanic or hobiest, or home jobed by someone who's never done anything like this) it's imposible to say why. If the major components arent dammage, i'd salvage what i can, replace the rest, and drive on.

Hope you can get her up n runnin again without to much hassle.

 

I agree with the problem being the u-bolts. Either low torque, as had been said, or stretching.
If the installer of the lift used the stock u-bolts when the springs went on, then it's likely this was inevitable.

 

Thanks for the input guys..

The bolts don't look stock to me, and I actually tightened them down as much as I could a few months ago.. (don't have a torque wrench though) because I felt some weird play during excel from a stop.. (which probably proves this is the problem area). So maybe stretch?

I guess it is time for ubolt flip kit.. and some new shock mounts..

Here is another question.. If I keep the OVERLOAD springs on.. is it necessary I run the bump stops? As won't that spring prevent it from over flexing/bottoming out?

Thanks

 

O/L springs are more of a failsafe if in case you carry too much weight, it keeps the springs from inverting easily. Bumpstops are much more robust because the're designed for impact and stoutness.
I'm sure the O/L leaves could help, but I wouldn't trust them for the job.

 

Thanks so much.. My noob questions just keep on coming though.. My springs in the pack that are not banded together are walking to the outside.. What does this mean, and how big of a deal is this, if they are not all properly aligned together?

 

Huh. That's a new one to me.
Maybe the mil wraps or bands came loose? Usually the leaves are bundled together by bands. If you're missing those bands, it's no biggie, they can be sources from a junk yard or u-pull inexpensively.

This is starting to sound as if someone had been tinkering with your suspension.

 

Agree - sounds like someone did a really flaky home job on the initial installation, and your now paying the price.
- Don't be afraid to fab stuff, or be creative with problem solving. The leaf spring setup is primitively simple, really nothing fancy to it. Most problems will come from things being out of spec (too loose or misaligned). Make sure you have a good manual or two, and get a torque wrench, they price of one will save you tons-o-trouble later. 90-ft/lbs was allot tighter than I imagined the first time i did it... So, thinking it's tight, it might not be... and ya don't want to strip them out either.

P.S. A two ton engine crane (Cherry picker) will lift the rear of the truck (front too) rather nicely. Just be sure to observe all safety precautions (blocks etc.) so nothing falls on ya.

 

by the way, now is a great time to modify your leaves if you feel like it. There are a few threads here on building custom leaf packs.

 

It sounds like you are describing the degree shim is what fell out?? This should be held to the spring pack with a a bolt that goes through each leaf and may now be broken. Check those and replace if need be.

 

That is the case Mud, and yes I plan on customizing my packs at this point (although they are not far from how I want them, I just need to ditch the rough country crap shocks)

Update* I just got off the phone with rough country..It was.. kinda.. kinda a decent experience. The tech was very slow to help me, respond, and didn't have any idea what the torque spec's would be on their Ubolts.. They also charged me too much for one single shim shipped.. But oh-well. I have the parts I need to fix it..

He did help me lock down that I have a 3" RC lift all the way around.

I don't know if it is because I come from the jeep world with coils all around or what, but my truck has such little flex.. it is kinda perplexing.. It has the stock brake lines, and not even extended ones.. they don't come close to getting tight when I do get the minimal flex I do have.

Any Ideas on how to increase articulation with what I currently have under the truck?

I have seen some of the custom spring pack threads, but will read up on them some more tonight.

 

Much of the lack of flex can be attributed to the anti-roll bars. Another factor is the RC lift itself. Rough Country makes a decent budget lift for a cash-strapped wheeler, but they are a bit stiff.
Finally, it's the nature of the way these trucks are proportioned. Mr. Toyoda really meant for these things to be working trucks, not wheelers. Due to this, these trucks have really heavy spring rates biased toward the rear, for cargo. If all you really plan on doing is wheeling, then going to a softer rear spring will help with droop at the cost of hauling capacity.

 

This will fix your issue.
https://www.marlincrawler.com/suspen...-bolt-flip-kit

or
http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/index...-flip-kit.html

or
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/57750.html

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f115...f-pack-124205/