Leaf spring damage
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Gunnibronco
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Leaf spring damage
So I picked up a decent set of Tahoe springs yesterday. I picked them up east of Sagauche, about 1.5 hrs away (still closer than GJ or anyother salvage yards). They seem in good shape. But when I unloaded them into the garage today, I noticed one end had been cut with a grinding wheel. Its 1/16" deep at the worst, and about 3/8" long. I'm afraid its going to start cracking. Is it trash?
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"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." ΓÇô Claire Wolfe
74-AWB 98", ZF5, Atlas4, HP609s, ARBs, 37's, 3.5" lift-5.5" front coil springs, Tahoe rear springs, EFI 302, h-boost, 4x4x2 hyrdo assist, custom dash & gauges
72 U15- Explorer Sport-Candyapple Red (1 of 141)
74-AWB 98", ZF5, Atlas4, HP609s, ARBs, 37's, 3.5" lift-5.5" front coil springs, Tahoe rear springs, EFI 302, h-boost, 4x4x2 hyrdo assist, custom dash & gauges
72 U15- Explorer Sport-Candyapple Red (1 of 141)
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landshark
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Re: Leaf spring damage
Personally I wouldn't be worried about it. With the thickness of the metal there I would think you would be ok. Plus with the bushing/bolt in the stress will be spread out.
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akaFrankCastle
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Re: Leaf spring damage
X2. If you want peace of mind, just drop a bead in there with the welder.
Stroppe'd
1972 Sport, 302, 3 speed with old school Duff floor shifter, T shift Dana 20 with JB Fab twin stick, 4.11 gears with Trac-loc, Lincoln hydroboost, Chevy disc conversion, WH gas lift gate shock kit, 33" Duratrac tires on slots and about 2.5" of lift, Stroppe installed: bumper braces, dual shocks on all four corners, GM power steering, trans cooler mount, auto shift column, rollbar.
The Terrible One
1972 Sport uncut, 302, C4 with 1974 column , T shift Dana 20, 3.50 gears w/ limited slip, 1966 U13 Roadster kick panel, and factory power steering.
1973 Stroppe Baja project
1972 Sport, 302, 3 speed with old school Duff floor shifter, T shift Dana 20 with JB Fab twin stick, 4.11 gears with Trac-loc, Lincoln hydroboost, Chevy disc conversion, WH gas lift gate shock kit, 33" Duratrac tires on slots and about 2.5" of lift, Stroppe installed: bumper braces, dual shocks on all four corners, GM power steering, trans cooler mount, auto shift column, rollbar.
The Terrible One
1972 Sport uncut, 302, C4 with 1974 column , T shift Dana 20, 3.50 gears w/ limited slip, 1966 U13 Roadster kick panel, and factory power steering.
1973 Stroppe Baja project
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Justin
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Re: Leaf spring damage
x2. I'd run it. There isn't much stress on that part on the spring.
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Gunnibronco
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Re: Leaf spring damage
Thanks guys.
I was thinking about that, but worried about what the heat would do to the spring steel.
It is super thick around the bushing. I'll keep a close eye on it.
akaFrankCastle wrote:X2. If you want peace of mind, just drop a bead in there with the welder.
I was thinking about that, but worried about what the heat would do to the spring steel.
It is super thick around the bushing. I'll keep a close eye on it.
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." ΓÇô Claire Wolfe
74-AWB 98", ZF5, Atlas4, HP609s, ARBs, 37's, 3.5" lift-5.5" front coil springs, Tahoe rear springs, EFI 302, h-boost, 4x4x2 hyrdo assist, custom dash & gauges
72 U15- Explorer Sport-Candyapple Red (1 of 141)
74-AWB 98", ZF5, Atlas4, HP609s, ARBs, 37's, 3.5" lift-5.5" front coil springs, Tahoe rear springs, EFI 302, h-boost, 4x4x2 hyrdo assist, custom dash & gauges
72 U15- Explorer Sport-Candyapple Red (1 of 141)
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crawlercreations
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Re: Leaf spring damage
I worked in a spring shop for several years and made custom leaf springs and leaf spring packs while there. The loads on that section of spring go opposite of the cut. Spring steel will snap with the right amount of load in the right direction. Your cut slightly weakens the spring across that section but is very unlikely enough to cause it to snap. Never weld spring steel. It crystallizes and becomes extremely brittle. I'd run that spring as is and never worry about it again.
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Gunnibronco
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Re: Leaf spring damage
Great info. Thank you.
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." ΓÇô Claire Wolfe
74-AWB 98", ZF5, Atlas4, HP609s, ARBs, 37's, 3.5" lift-5.5" front coil springs, Tahoe rear springs, EFI 302, h-boost, 4x4x2 hyrdo assist, custom dash & gauges
72 U15- Explorer Sport-Candyapple Red (1 of 141)
74-AWB 98", ZF5, Atlas4, HP609s, ARBs, 37's, 3.5" lift-5.5" front coil springs, Tahoe rear springs, EFI 302, h-boost, 4x4x2 hyrdo assist, custom dash & gauges
72 U15- Explorer Sport-Candyapple Red (1 of 141)
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Digger
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Re: Leaf spring damage
Not a heavily loaded area. Just leave it as-is.
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Build Thread: http://www.coloradoclassicbroncos.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5420
Average 23.5 mpg, Best tank: 26.3 mpg
Build Thread: http://www.coloradoclassicbroncos.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5420
Average 23.5 mpg, Best tank: 26.3 mpg
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Gunnibronco
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Re: Leaf spring damage
Thank you.
When I found the cut, I was pretty upset. I had convinced myself I needed to replace the damaged spring.
I appreciate everyone's advice.
When I found the cut, I was pretty upset. I had convinced myself I needed to replace the damaged spring.
I appreciate everyone's advice.
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." ΓÇô Claire Wolfe
74-AWB 98", ZF5, Atlas4, HP609s, ARBs, 37's, 3.5" lift-5.5" front coil springs, Tahoe rear springs, EFI 302, h-boost, 4x4x2 hyrdo assist, custom dash & gauges
72 U15- Explorer Sport-Candyapple Red (1 of 141)
74-AWB 98", ZF5, Atlas4, HP609s, ARBs, 37's, 3.5" lift-5.5" front coil springs, Tahoe rear springs, EFI 302, h-boost, 4x4x2 hyrdo assist, custom dash & gauges
72 U15- Explorer Sport-Candyapple Red (1 of 141)
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Jesus_man
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Re: Leaf spring damage
Gorilla Glue!
1973 Bronco, 351 SEFI, Locked, discs, 35's ZF-5spd and Atlas 4spd. 235:1 Crawl Ratio. It may be ugly, but it's slow.
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http://www.ucora.org
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Moab Mike
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Re: Leaf spring damage
Gunnibronco wrote:Thank you.
When I found the cut, I was pretty upset. I had convinced myself I needed to replace the damaged spring.
I appreciate everyone's advice.
If you're worried it is a stress riser you can polish it down but I would just go with the majority.