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Another Rear Suspension Question

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Cottontop

Cottontop

Jedi Warrior
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I am finally getting around to installing the rear leaf springs that I bought 3-4 years ago. My old stock ones were saggy and only yeilded 3" of ground clearance. While it looked kewel, speed bumps were a bit** !

Although I bought the new springs from a fellow member of our local club, I have tracked them down to having been made by Martin at Jule and I have talked to him.

I've found that the springs are intended for a BJx series and I have a 100-6. That means that I don't have the 1" frame drop below the axle. That means that I need a 1" spacer between the spring and the axle perch in order to get the axle off the axle bump stop and to get the proper ride height.

The problem is that the U-bolts are not long enough with an extra inch of space in there.
At this point, the best 2 options that I can see are:
1) to buy and install longer U-bolts.
2) have the springs re-arched by 1".

Does anybody know where I can find 8" U-bolts for a 2 5/8" axle ?

Thanks in advance.

Tim
 
The short answer is no. I went to a local truck leaf spring store. They bent me a new set while I waited. I went this route because the U-bolts I received from Moss were bent for a smaller axle. So they bowed out too far to fit the leaf plate.
 
The problem with re-arching the springs is that they have a tendency to return the way they were over time unless they are annealed (heated and cooled). It might be cheaper to buy the correct springs.
 
give me call Tim, i might have some long U bolts. Pat Yoas
Cottontop said:
I am finally getting around to installing the rear leaf springs that I bought 3-4 years ago. My old stock ones were saggy and only yeilded 3" of ground clearance. While it looked kewel, speed bumps were a bit** !

Although I bought the new springs from a fellow member of our local club, I have tracked them down to having been made by Martin at Jule and I have talked to him.

I've found that the springs are intended for a BJx series and I have a 100-6. That means that I don't have the 1" frame drop below the axle. That means that I need a 1" spacer between the spring and the axle perch in order to get the axle off the axle bump stop and to get the proper ride height.

The problem is that the U-bolts are not long enough with an extra inch of space in there.
At this point, the best 2 options that I can see are:
1) to buy and install longer U-bolts.
2) have the springs re-arched by 1".

Does anybody know where I can find 8" U-bolts for a 2 5/8" axle ?

Thanks in advance.

Tim
Click to expand...
 
shorn said:
The problem with re-arching the springs is that they have a tendency to return the way they were over time unless they are annealed (heated and cooled). It might be cheaper to buy the correct springs.
Click to expand...
What the leaf spring store did for me was make new U-bolts. I didn't do anything there with the springs.
 
Tim, I've used the services of a local frame and spring shop before on other cars. they have always been able to supply my with what ever I needed. From making complete set of springs from scratch to supplying the hardware. They probably make any size shackle or u-bolt they want. You should have similar shops in your area.
 
Tim,
Champion Spring in Fort Worth made me a new rear leaf spring for my BJ-7 when I was in High school after mine broke and went through the rear floorboard. They were able to match the old one and add some arch to compensate for age. I am sure they could re-arch yours or bend new bolts.

Doug
 
SC Parts in England used to sell a lowering kiot for BJ8s that consisted of a set of longer U bolts and alloy spacers that fit between the springs and the axle. I've looked at their web site but it's pretty useless for finding stuff- their old part number was 15842 and it's listed under that.

977.jpg


No financial interest, etc. ....
 
JamesWilson said:
SC Parts in England used to sell a lowering kiot for BJ8s that consisted of a set of longer U bolts and alloy spacers that fit between the springs and the axle. I've looked at their web site but it's pretty useless for finding stuff- their old part number was 15842 and it's listed under that.

977.jpg


No financial interest, etc. ....
Click to expand...

AH Spares sells this same kit I bought one about a year ago, it's probably cheaper now.

https://www.ahspares.co.uk/products/productdetail.aspx?GUID=464bf4aa-cb2f-4e70-ba46-538f071bc9ab
 
Thanks all for your suggestions.

I wasn't going to post a follow-up until I had everything installed and the car on the ground.

Poster Patick67BJ8 had some longer U-bolts but they were too long, larger diameter. and didn't have enough thread for my use.

I went to the spring shop where I bought the eye bushings and they made the correct diameter and length U-bolts. Just what I needed for $12 for 2 sets (4) of them.

I am using a 1" aluminum spacer block between the spring and the axle perch. If it wasn't 30F here today I'd have gotten everything installed. I got everything painted and will install in the morning. Sopposed to be in the 50s.

I'll let you know how it goes. I'll also take a pic.

Thanks again.

Tim
 
I took my newly sprung Healey around the block this afternoon (temp. in the high 60s).

I ended up using the top 2 leaves from the Jule BJx springs and the bottom 3 leaves from my stock 100-6 springs.

The ride height is up about 1 1/2" and the ride itself seems about the same as before. Maybe a little bit more "lively".

In a couple of hundred miles when things settle down a bit, it'll probably be just about right.

Now to take the front end sheet metal off.....

Tim
 
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