Flat leaf springs

Flat leaf springs

Postby jop on Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:51 am

G'day fellas, i was out taking some photo's of the ironman steps for Daryn when i noticed my leaves were looking particularly flat
Click to view larger picture

I did a search on leaf+ flat and found a pic of glxr-silver's reset leaves
Click to view larger picture

Should i go see the stealer or just go aftermarket?

Measurements are:
575 rear ( longer lovells shocks)
545 front (longer lovells shocks, efs springs)

Feeling fairly short atm :oops:
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby rick on Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:53 am

well they most deffo should be smiling when unloaded but ide go after market anyway jop
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby jop on Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:56 am

That pic was taken with ute empty........
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby rick on Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:59 am

thats shat mate :?
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby jop on Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:00 am

Has anyone heard of airbags in the rear, but having them connected together so as to equalise pressure in the both bags.
This also causes 'forced articulation' by one squashing up the other has to expand.
A local suspension shop was talking about it in a mag recently.

That could be turned off with a pneumatic finger valve in between.
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby rick on Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:02 am

i saw a kit for the triton on ebay last week and it looked very good
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby jop on Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:10 am

I can get this kit, with the 'forced aticulation' the lot fitted for $700
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby jop on Tue Aug 25, 2009 11:07 am

Looks like the same kit?

Breakdown of the $700:

Kit $460
Fittings to enable 'forced articulation' $150
Fitting of both $100
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby Blue on Tue Aug 25, 2009 11:12 am

Be careful with forced articulation - when they first trialed airbags in the army macks, they were set up for forced articulation - this was reversed after a couple of roll overs... Forced articulation can be your end if you bury it into a corner on the black stuff...
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby jop on Tue Aug 25, 2009 11:18 am

Yeah - i thought about that, but you should be able to isolate them again by using a finger valve or even a lockable air isolator.

Best of both worlds?

Still not convinced, i will drop in to see shane tomorrow
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby Homer on Tue Aug 25, 2009 11:37 am

I've got the load assist helper adjustable things on the back of mine with the stock springs....don't really know what they're called :oops:

But I can just wind them up for loads or to increase height and it did make the handling better - along with the new front suspension of course.

My stock springs still have a decent set in them and I've carried some 800kg - 1tonne loads.

Like I said, don't really know what they're called but they look like this and do the job for me.

Click to view larger picture

Click to view larger picture

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Could be an option getting warranty springs and using something like this??
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby ML-VR08 on Tue Aug 25, 2009 11:50 am

My leaf springs are also very flat - to the point on being inverted i think. This becomes even worse when i hook the camper up and load gear into the truck. Im not sure if the extended shackles have made it worse. But its very sloppy when a load goes in. Im thinking about getting some new leafs - but want to keep the shackles for flex etc... or should i just reset the rear again?
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby jop on Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:02 pm

Looking at silver's picture above, re setting didn't help much.

If i was you Ml and towing, i would go down the route of the helper spring like homers, 4wd26 fitted one recently and is very happy, towing and not.

I'm not looking to tow, so i'll probably get warranty replacement and look at this airbag option.
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby daryn on Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:11 pm

Just get some new good brand rear Leafs, Lovells have a huge rep with Leafs, Ultimate or Dobinsons.

The way I see it, resetting the crappy rear springs is only helping the person resetting them as you will be back to them time after time, sorry, but I reckon it is a band aid fix.
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby Homer on Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:13 pm

My ride didn't get noticeably harsher with these.
In fact it was the soft ride option as opposed to a full constant load style upgrade because I wanted the ride to still be comfortable.

I think it firmed the back up enough to get the car to point better into corners. Seems to be the back suspension makes the front work :?
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby ML-VR08 on Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:26 pm

Hmmm i might have to look into this further - as im looking at rear ride height of around 670mm so might need new rear srpings and spacer block etc...
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby 4wd26 on Tue Aug 25, 2009 1:38 pm

My Aussie super springs are independant of the original leaves- so you could add these to your existing setup? (extended shackles)

What I was chasing was to find a good comprimise when unladen, didn't want to add heavy duty springs (for lift) and end up with a harsh ride for a vehicle that 90% drives around the city.
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby Homer on Tue Aug 25, 2009 2:33 pm

Is that similar to my setup 26?

Because it does just what you said very well.
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby 4wd26 on Tue Aug 25, 2009 4:13 pm

Homer wrote:Is that similar to my setup 26?

Because it does just what you said very well.


Same concept different way to do it.
My setup has the helper leaf "over" the axle so the more weight put on the back the more counter force is applied.

Side benefit of my setup is that it has "preloaded the rear" and therefore added around 50mm of height. (put the bend back in the leaf)
There is also 2 adjustment levels.
Click to view larger picture
Not the best pic
Click to view larger picture
For a leaf sprung ute there not a bad compromise.
I was keen to give "freds add a coil" a try but that does not give a lift. Or ask "Sam" on this forum, he fab'ed up some coils himself to assist in the rear of his triton- not sure if he went down this path on his new one however. :?
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby 4wd26 on Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:45 am

Tex wrote:26 what brand is your helper spring :?:


Aussie super springs cost around $400 fitted from memory.

There is a thread on these on the forum
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby jordan_lagaluga on Wed Aug 26, 2009 8:53 am

Hey Jop, my springs look exactly the same my new tyres are scrubbin bad too, and Ive never hada decent load in them, lucky monday wk service and ironman lift.
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby jop on Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:31 am

Jordan - what are your measurements, centre of wheel to wheel arch?
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby schimno on Sat Sep 19, 2009 10:01 pm

Just had air bags put in the rear of mine to help the springs.Firestone the brands. With the Canopy (razorback) the springs were basically flat, then if I tow my trailer its worse. I inflate them to about 15-20 pounds, gives the rear a lift with out going over board. The bags can be inflate individually, so if you've got weight on one side that side air bag can be pump up to keep the ute level. Didn't want a harsh ride with new leafs etc. Ride is still good, just going to replace the rear shocks shortly, then start on the front. I'm not interested in any big lift or going over board just don't want my butt dragging on the ground. Very happy with them.. :D
(they can be pumped up to over 60 pounds each and raised the ute if required but think ride would be a bit rough)
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby Dirty_Ute on Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:23 am

I fiited set of Load plus springs same as Homer has. They are a cheap way of getting a better ride when laoded. I can put a ton on back of my cab chassis and she still sits sweet with load plus tightened.

Then drive around with no load and it will destroy your back and make your teeth fall out unless yes loosen them again. As soon as you loosen them the thread of U bolt rubs on the spring and wears out.
Next time you go to tighten them you have to make new thread.

I've had them for 3 months but they are coming out, going to re temper old springs and put extra leaf in them.
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Re: Flat leaf springs

Postby boycee on Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:34 pm

I have the standard leaves but the glx has the heavier duty ones so the ride is abit harsh. The leaves are flat aswell so I might get new ones as soon as I have the dollars. Got a quote for EFS front and rear suspension upgrade $just under 1400 installed. 25mm lift. constant load front for the bullbar and 200kg extra load capacity in the back. :? 8-)
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