broken leaf spring and towing

xj4life · May 12, 2006

The truck in my sig.

I've got a two week Jeep trip coming up next week, leave on Thursday. I've got a broken leaf on the rear drivers side leaf pack, the second from the bottom. There is a thick leaf on the bottom that is probably an overload spring, its just above that one. The rear is broken. Truck has a little lean to it.

I'm going to be pulling about 7K poundd, not sure on the tounge weight. Am I going to run into problems?

I've got a ton of stuff to finish on the Jeep still before its ready. I dont really have the time or money to replace the leaf pack. The dealer wants $190 or $230 for the whole pack. I guess there is a regular one and a HD. I gave him my spring code but he still didnt know.

If I do decide to replace it how hard is it. I've done Jeep rear leaf many times so I dont see it as a big deal. Only unknown is how hard is it going to be to get the eye bolts loosened and out.

prototype · May 12, 2006

If it was mine i would replace it. If you dont, just make sure its not the main leaf broken, as you can relocate your axle and cause a big accident. Good luck.

Travis Waldher · May 12, 2006

I would replace it, and for the $10 or so it would cost for new ubolts I would just replace those too.

Don't worry about getting the old ones off, cut them off.

thecarman · May 12, 2006

Travis Waldher said:
I would replace it, and for the $10 or so it would cost for new ubolts I would just replace those too.

Don't worry about getting the old ones off, cut them off.

I agree about cutting the old U-bolts. If you think you might want to save them, spray with PB Blaster (or whatever) for a few days before you try to remove them. Hit them with the impact wrench (may have to start with a big breaker bar and pipe), and if they don't budge, cut them off - not worth spending time on rusted U-bolts!

82FB · May 13, 2006

I towed two 7K loads about 300 miles with my just purchased gmc 2500 burb and then found the same broken leaf as you have. I kept an eye on it for the next few months and finally it started to separate, so I opened up the pack, pounded the two halves back together, and torqued it back down as a temp fix until I get some time and motivation to fix it.

kwrangln · May 13, 2006

If you break something on the road or trail and keep going to get to somewhere to fix it, thats one thing. To intentionally hook up and set out with known issues is assanine.

Fix your junk, then worry about running it.

YellowSub1962 · May 13, 2006

Is your rig, truck, trailer, life, adn the life of everyone around you worth more than $250?

Fix your shit before you put that hazard on the road. Ever got a flat o nthe freeway? Multiply that times 10 plus add the load then try to control/stop it with no rear end in your truck - cause thats what it's gonna be like when that thing lets go. Without tha leaf functioning, the rest of the leaves take way more load than they are designed to and will fatigue rapidly or catostrophically fail. If the main leaf lets go on the fixed end, the rear end will spin and launch your driveshaft... awe fawk it... just fix it or stay home.

:usa:

YellowSub1962 · May 13, 2006

oh and if the u-bolt don't come off, just cut them like everone said. and don't forget recheck/retorque them in about 100 miles.

Everything else is the same procedure you've indicated you've done before on other rigs.

:usa:

xj4life · May 14, 2006

i always replace u-bolts. i'm going to order just one new leaf on monday and put it in before my trip. i'll replace the other one asap.

broken leaf spring and towing

xj4life

prototype

Travis Waldher

thecarman

82FB

kwrangln

YellowSub1962

YellowSub1962

xj4life

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