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Adding a Leaf to my Spring Leafs this Fall

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RAC68

RAC68

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I have been planning to install new leaf springs from Jule Enterprises in my BJ8P1 this winter but a friend suggested I take the second longest leaf from my originals and add it to the replacements on the car (7 leafs to 8 leafs). The thought is that this addition would provide more support and less deformation resulting in raising the rear to proper height (presently 26 Ā¼ to 27 Ā¼). I also anticipate that the stiffer ride will be acceptable.

Has anyone done this and can provide their experience and/or suggestions.

Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
No Ray install the new springs first and let them bed in before you add any leaves.If your springs get too stiff the car will kick like an ornery mule every time you go over a bump.--Keoke
 
Ray, I'm confused by your post. Do you already have replacement springs on the car from a different manufacturer? Adding anything to the commonly available replacement springs from places like Moss will make the worse, not better. Perhaps replacing some of the leafs from a new set of springs with leafs from the old set would help a bit, but I think your plan to get a set from Jule might make more sense. The other alternative is to take your stock set to a good spring shop and see if they can re-arch them.
 
Hi Bill/Keoke,

Thanks for responding.

Bill, I initially had my original leafs re-arched in ā€™89 that lasted till the mid ā€˜90s when they were replaced by a set purchased from Moss (presently on the car). Before I spend the $$$ for springs from Jule, a friend suggested I take the second leaf (longest removable leaf) from the original springs (which I had saved for some reason) and install them on the Moss springs on the car.

To install the additional leaf, I would have to replace the 6/leaf retainers (the brackets that hold the leafs in place), with ones that have slightly longer arms. Although this seems a pain, it should not be a big deal.

Although I anticipate a slightly stiffer ride, the add leaf should increase the springs resistance to deform and provide added height. This is the only reasonably low cost way I could think of to improve ride height.

Thanks and all the best,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
I initially had my original leafs re-arched in ā€™89 that lasted till the mid ā€˜90s when they were replaced by a set purchased from Moss (presently on the car). Before I spend the $$$ for springs from Jule, a friend suggested I take the second leaf (longest removable leaf) from the original springs (which I had saved for some reason) and install them on the Moss springs on the car.


OK that might work out OK with those old Bin type springs. I do that all the time but it is a PITB to get them right---Keoke
 
Martin Jule told me his springs for my BN-2 would be a bit stiffer than others I might buy. He was correct. I would not add anything to his springs. If I'm not mistaken, I was also asked what ride height I wanted. Although I don't think he can make a set for a specific height in inches, I think he can tweak them to give you a higher ride height if that is what you want. I've had mine on for more than a year now and the ride height is perfect. They are a bit stiff, but it reminds you that you're not driving a late model car. I like 'em.
 
:iagree:-----------------Keoke-- :yesnod:
 
I agree Jon; I would not alter the Jule leaf spring. My intention is to add a leaf to the Moss springs I installed about 2 decades ago and the leaf will come from my original Healey spring I retained since then.

Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
Oops! I suppose I should read a little more closely. I kind of gave up on the re-arching or adding a leaf, after re-archng and having it not last very long. I looked at how much effort it takes to change the springs and decided I only wanted to do it once, so I went for the Jule springs. I don't know his current prices, but I thought they were very reasonable (and believe me, I am tight with a buck).
 
roscoe said:
Oops! I suppose I should read a little more closely. I kind of gave up on the re-arching or adding a leaf, after re-archng and having it not last very long. I looked at how much effort it takes to change the springs and decided I only wanted to do it once, so I went for the Jule springs. I don't know his current prices, but I thought they were very reasonable (and believe me, I am tight with a buck).
Click to expand...
I paid about $250 in 2009 for my Jule springs. They shipped "free" sort of, if you consider they came back with my car. Marty asked me about ride height and I told him I wanted the car to sit "level". The jacked up BJ8's look awfull IMHO. I will be putting an exhause on without the resonators(earlier model type but higher performance), so I'm not going to be too worried about the ride height. Car reassembly is moving along again...thanks to the many listers who have provided missing or corrected info for my project.
Patrick
 
I had the original rear springs on my BJ8 Phase I re-arced by a reputable shop that does the work all the time on trucks, etc. They told me I should have an extra leaf added in the process to prevent it from sagging again too soon.

Did not want the car raised, just not "lowered" as it had been. It did make the ride a bit stiffer, but I didn't bottom out when fully loaded (and I mean FULLY loaded for a 3 week vacation road trip) it rode great and handled very well. Even fitted an ANSA exhaust with the cross-over resonators and rarely drug them on anything.

Just didn't feel quite as comfortable empty, a little rough on my back, but the car was a great autocrosser after that. Kind of reminded me of the 8-leaf racing springs on my Mk I.

C Ya
Mark
 
Hi Mark,

That's great. Can you tell where the leaf was added in the stack and the relative length (i.e. Long, medium, short)? Also, if its not too much, I would also appreciate knowing your tire size and height from ground to top of wheel opening.

Sorry for asking so much but you have done what I am considering and to the exact model I will be doing it to and that doesnā€™t happen often.

All the best,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
As far as I can recall (it was a few years ago..) One leaf added each spring, full length, about the same thickness as the top leaf.

I think I asked for a recurve of about 1/2" so the car wouldn't look lowered anymore. As the front springs on a BJ8 (even a "Phase-I") are taller than the earlier cars, the Phase-I look too low in the rear or too high in the front. The rear wheels looked like they centered in the rear wheel openings and I had a decent amount of axle travel in each direction, but more bounce direction would be more desirable than rebound.

Other things I did that might have helped was using 30W fork oil in the rear shocks (I think I used 50W in the front) to control the axle more. Considered lowering the front some to level the chassis a bit, but never got around to it. If I had kept the car and done a bit more autocrossing with it I would have.

That Phase-I BJ8 was a sweet autocrosser!

C Ya,
Mark
 
Hi Mark,

Thank you for your memories.

It is really helpful as it verified my intent to add another second link and snagging it under the bushing extensions at either end. Since I will not be re-arching the springs prior, it will be interesting to see if my ride height gets a little higher as the normal deflection is stiffened.

Again, thank you for your response.

Ray
 
Update - Spring Replacement to gain Height on my BJ8P1

Yesterday I took the main and second leaf from my original rear springs and added the remainder of the 6 leafs from my 1 Ā½ decade-old Moss springs in hopes of gaining additional lift from reduced spring deformation. Although the spring rebuild was time consuming with the creation and placement of 4 slightly longer shackles, no hampering problems were encountered.

The results were pleasing. After a brief ride on the created 8 (not 7) leafed springs, the body settled at 26 Ā¾ā€ measured from the ground to the high point of the rear wheel opening on 165/80 Vredestein Sprint Classics set to 32 lbs. Although there was a Ā¼ā€ deviation between the driver side and passenger with the right side registering 27ā€, a minimum increase of 1ā€ of body lift was gained. It is difficult to know if this height increase will be maintained over an extended period but it is great not to scrape the resonator of my BJ8 Phase 1 when leaving my driveway or hitting a reasonable bump in the road.

The ride was quite good and the added stiffness produced by the 8th leaf was hardly noticed and probably would not have been if I had not been aware of the change. Directional control was not changed and bump response was familiar.

Although a $350 expenditure for replacement springs may be the easiest resolution to a ride/height problem, I am happy to say, at present, my efforts were rewarded and my expense was $0.

Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
We have a BN4 running locally on new springs. The ride height, until it settles, could be considered excessive. We refer to it as the BN4x4.
 
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