[wngrog]

I have a replacement set of FJ-55 springs I need to get on Kate this weekend. This is my last time to work on her before Las Cruces.

The springs are straight and look fine, but they are pretty rusty.

I have always taken them apart and cleaned them before I used them, but I really don't have time to do it and the other maintenance that I need to perform.

What would you guys do? Bolt them up, as is or would you take the time to separate them or finally would you hose them down with some petroleum product and hope for the best?

 

[Jason M]

Soak em with WD 40 or the like and goto town.
It will only make a bit of noise..

 

[cruiserbrett]

If you havent got the time, then hose them down, but if you do it now you wont have to strip it down later. I pulled my fj55 springs apart and cleaned out a surpising amount of rust and scale. and before that they did not flex well(so much friction!), but they are soft now, with the rust/scale gone and a nice coat of chasis grease in between the leafs.

(Before anyone says"dont grease the leaf springs" I think the springs are a high wear, disposable part of wheeling and have a limited lifespan from repetetive cycling of the suspension that will wear them out MUCH faster than some dirt "grinding away at the metal" )

I'd clean them if you can, or at least hose them down with some spray lube.... While you are at it, why not puts some coil overs on it

-Brett

 

[76lcforty]

I would take the time to seperate them, anytime you cut corners on something due to time constraints you always end up regreting it later. Or at least I do.

 

[wngrog]

I'd clean them if you can, or at least hose them down with some spray lube.... While you are at it, why not puts some coil overs on it

-Brett

That is the plan for the rear, just have to save my pennies. That is why I don't want to put a lot of work into these springs...they won't be on there too terribly long. :flipoff2:

 

[60seriesguy]

Nolen, hose them down with PB Blaster, they'll do for a wheeling trip. One thing that's worked for me with the ultra-rust-prone OME's has been banging the sides with a hammer to loosen up the scale, then hit with PB Blaster a couple of times. I know it's not a long-term solution, but I don't want to take them apart yet.

 

[GloNDark]

:laughing: Just put em in, and cover em with black spray paint.....if the jeep guys can get away with it, you can too for this one trip. :laughing:

On a serious note, I noticed a huge difference in the 55 springs I put in the front of my rig after I cleaned em. Get yourself a wire wheel for the grinder, unbolt em, wire wheel all the crap off em, grease and put em back together. I honestly can say I spent maybe half and hour more cleaning em and greasing them and it was worth it.

 

[fj40charles]

Hey Nolen,

I vote for the WD40 idea and plan on doing the rear coilovers sooner.

charles

 

[texican]

I got a couple of cases of PB here, or get Nick to mix you up some of that Aussie stuff, it is bad to the bone and cheap!!!
Butch

 

[74_Chevota]

I am gana have to side with usein WD-40. I think it will be fine for a trip or till u can get the coil overs on. I dont usualy try and cut corners but in your case i dont think it will make too much of a diffrence.
*Sam*

 

[Reddog]

If you don't have the time go ahead and run them. Can't see where the difference will be so great as to spoil your trip. If they're not permanent why take the time?
Hell, I've been running rusty and even a bent spring for almost three years now and I still manage to keep up with the big boys sportin the clean springs.

When you get back from Las Cruces take them out and ship them to me... that way you don't have to deal with it