Thread: STEERING TROUBLES

If it was me, for now, I would just put a spacer between the top of the spring and the axle mount. You'd only need a 5mm plate to lift the axle and hence steering arm 5mm above the spring. If you're worried about that side ending up 5mm lower than the other then put an identical one on the drivers side too. Problem solved.

It sounds like Banjo needs a car he can drive on the road now and that would be the source of a lot of stress if it was me.

Ok this ****ing peice of **** ****ed up car is doing my ****ing head in, it mite be cheaper the insure the bucket of **** then burn the ****ing thing....

When i was building it the rolling chassis sat with just the engine in it for months while i was doing the body work & all the **** jobs no one likes to do...
Now when everything was put back on there was nothing in the car no seats or the like for another few months now it has seats in the front & back 2 batteries in the back center cubby box over head consol with sterio , cb , uhf. High lift on the back & a dirty big heavy PTO winch & bullbar off the front...With driving lights....
Now when we got it the last owner just drove it never maintained it & the bushes where gone & had been gone for some time as you could see where the front springs had been riding on the chassis so i replaced them & all was good till now..

Now with all this going on i have tried every thing every one has said to no avail...
Well i have been out under it for the last half hour looking as i was going to cut the bracketBRACKET...
Well when having a good look at how would be the easiest way with the grinder under there i noticed SOMETHING on both front springs which i haven't noticed before as i was looking at everything else..
Well i was under the front & noticed i could see THROUGH all the leaves on the passenger side at the front from the diff forward so i check the drivers side & guess what i see THROUGH them aswell but not as bad.. So if i cut that bracket i recon the spring will go twang & open up as the bracket seems to be holding it together some what. The drivers side isn't as bad but i can still see THROUGH..
Now i'm wondering if the fat lazy bastard i got the car from who had a bigger bullbar on the front & the PTO winch has been driving it with no bushes is it posable to kink the springs forward as it bashes around speicaly when you put the brakes on could it twist the spring like on old race cars when you put your foot down the rear springs kinda curve.????????
Now when we first started to drive it i know i had more of a gap between the spring & rod not much but enough & probably only just enough on full right lock as i didn't have a turn stop on that side for a whole year no trouble..

Also on the passenger side spring at both ends the second spring is very warn 3 to 4 mm thick i recon with a few hits from a hammer it would break the wrap off..
So now i cant cut the bracket.
I also jacked the car up fron the xmember under the front of the gearbox & the springs didn't change i could still see THROUGH & the gap between spring & rod did close but more so when the front wheels where off the ground...
SO WHAT ARE MY SPRINGS LIKE ANY GOOD ....?????????

Plus when Karen went & first looked at the car it was loaded to the hilt in the back with heavy stuff plus there where a heap of parts in it when i got it in the back heavy..Plus it had a full length roof rack basket full of crap & some of that was heavy aswell..

Banjo
You shouldnt be able to see daylight through a leaf spring that has weight on it on the other hand if it has no weight on it is quite acceptable.
I just looked at mine and note that the front springs have 11 leaves with 8 cm travel from the bump stop to the diff housing (yours looks like it has 6 cm indicating that the springs might be a bit tired. That being said mine is a Series 3 Stage 1 Chassis but I dont think they are that different in this area.
My steering rod has touched the spring in the past nothing of great concern just noticeable when the left spring is compressed.
Was the height of the steering arm the other end changed when you put power steering in this vehicle?
If you springs are stuffed they should be replaced if you cant afford it you can reset them your self I have done it before using an anvil and a hammering technique that I was shown years ago. I dont think this is really the best practice but will keep you moving be wary of doing this if the springs are really thin and rusted.

You should not see daylight through between the leaves when under load. This indicates that the spring leaves are probably being spread due to rust between the leaves close to the U-bolts. This distorts the shape of the spring, and may be the root source of the problem. If it is not too bad, it is probably possible to rectify it by removing and disassembling the spring and wire brushing off the rust. The spring leaves should then be painted, lubricated and reassembled.

John

Originally Posted by djam1

Banjo
You shouldnt be able to see daylight through a leaf spring that has weight on it on the other hand if it has no weight on it is quite acceptable.
I just looked at mine and note that the front springs have 11 leaves with 8 cm travel from the bump stop to the diff housing (yours looks like it has 6 cm indicating that the springs might be a bit tired. That being said mine is a Series 3 Stage 1 Chassis but I dont think they are that different in this area.
My steering rod has touched the spring in the past nothing of great concern just noticeable when the left spring is compressed.
Was the height of the steering arm the other end changed when you put power steering in this vehicle?
If you springs are stuffed they should be replaced if you cant afford it you can reset them your self I have done it before using an anvil and a hammering technique that I was shown years ago. I dont think this is really the best practice but will keep you moving be wary of doing this if the springs are really thin and rusted.

Not realy but it is on the outside of the chassis now.....I'll measure between the bumpstop & diff in the morning...

I also had the spring apart when the center bolt needed fixing & looked ok...

Well Fatty has just left to go & pick up the new springs don't know when i will get a chance to fit them as it looks like rain this arvo & it surposed to rain all week , Plus we have the pamphlets today to do & the papers tomorrow...

AH look aren't they pretty ..






After taking some measurements the clamp that mine is hitting now shouldn't be to much of a problem with the new ones as its closer to the diff which will put it just between the 2 rods or posably just under the rod between the 2 wheels...

Since when did springs come with out the spring bush fitted ????