re-arching leaf springs

[Serious One]

I have heard you can do it, but how?

I have my trailer sitting on 109 rear springs (don't know if they're SW or Reg.), and the right side is sagging BADLY.

About a 1 1/2 inch difference side-to-side. These were some old 109 springs Cooper gave me when we built the trailer.

Wondering if I ought to try to find a new set of used springs, re-arch the sagging one, or pony up for some new parabolics.

Thoughts from the leafers out there?

:flipoff2:

[64rovr]

Don't think theres any need to run parabolics on the trailer aside from cool-factor, I would try and find a nice set of hardly used springs. Could probably find some military ones pretty cheap, and pop a few leaves out.

[Puffdragon]

Re arched springs are never what you want them to be. Go for some new springs. Or find some good used springs.

[ISUZUROVER]

No problem with re-arching springs. If they are done properly and re heat treated afterwards they will be like new.

If you want the excercise you can do it yourself if you have an anvil and a BFH - and I mean a sledge hammer!!!. Up to 5/16" or 1/4" spring leaves this is OK but after it is best to take it to a spring place. They do a good job and will heat treat them after resetting so they loose any "memory" the steel had.

I redesigned the springs on my IIA, did all the design calcs, made up the spring packs (all from S/H leaves) and took them to a spring place to have them reset to the free camber I wanted. That was 4 years ago and they have been working perfectly ever since.

[Puffdragon]

First itme I have ever heard of a shop heat treating the springs after re-arching. Most shops in the US do not have that capability

[Bertha the Cruiser]

Donovan spring out here on the East coast doeas a great job re-seting and re-tempering springs. Ususally the bigger shops with the capacity to actually manufacture their own springs will re-temper the springs the re-set (re-arch).

I ran a set of re-set OME's and they worked well for a season of hard wheeling on the XJ (yeah they flattened back out but so did every NEW pack I ran after a season...no better, no worse...for what it is worth, they charged me $4 per leaf)

RJ

[ISUZUROVER]

Originally posted by Bertha the Cruiser
Ususally the bigger shops with the capacity to actually manufacture their own springs will re-temper the springs the re-set (re-arch).
RJ

That's what I forgot to say, always go to a place that MAKES springs - then they will know how to do it properly.

For anyone who wants to design their own leaf springs (like I did) the SAE puts out a great book (written for automotive engineers) called the "Leaf spring design manual" or something similar. There is even a chapter on parabolic springs - the correct engineering term is "single leaf springs" - because the srping leaves don't touch except at the middle and ends so each leaf acts like it is on its own.

[Simon]

Mike, if those were the springs off my 109 that I replaced with parabolics, they were pretty shot when you got em.

There is an outfit on Macadam Avenue, I think its Benz spring here in Portland that could re arch them for you next time you are in Portland but from what I have /heard/ it is not worth the effort, especially given the PITA factor involved and the price of new springs.

Simon

[Serious One]

Simon- I don't know if these are your springs or not. I can't remember where Timm said he got them. They might have been yours, dunno.

Benz Spring is awesome, and they re-arched Franklin's springs a while ago I remember.

I'm thinking I might get a set of parabolics. I remember riding in the 88 that Chauncy had with parabolics and I was blown away with how nice the ride was. If I can get some parabolics for a reasonable price I will get some I think. I'd like to know that the eggs and the chocolate souffl� will be intact when we get to camp.

A nice cushy ride for all of the gear would be great I think.

I might just swap them side to side to see if the springs are listing because of how I have the tongue jack. It's on one side and so wants to hold up the side of the trailer that isn't sagging.

Doesn't seem like it should matter much, it's just a wild guess.