XJ leaf springs--Help a newb...

[mbryson]

http://www.marbryson.com/images/1-1-08snake/nikonpics%20040.JPG

This is the first spring I've actually broke (conveniently it was military wrapped), but it's pretty common for me to bend the sh!t out of a set of springs with only about 10-12 trail days on them. Most of my fatigue points are much nearer the spring eye. (yes, near the FRAME) :D

Kind of weird to me that I can run an XJ spring in an XJ for 4 years or so with NO real issues (well, towards the end there, I was wary) and can't keep a set in my "Jeep" to save my life.

Anybody else noticed this on their XJs? I'm running them reversed "brent" style, but I'm not sure that would make a difference. Any tech on the board?

[jmaxj]

i was always told running a leaf in reverse puts the weak side forward thus prone to breaking, but i have never tried it though, thats just what i have been told

[mbryson]

i was always told running a leaf in reverse puts the weak side forward thus prone to breaking, but i have never tried it though, thats just what i have been told

Not unpossible. I think I'm calling Alcan in the morning. See what my options are. I really like my 101" wheelbase. :D

[userbmx1315]

is that a yj?

[mbryson]

is that a yj?

Technically, er, well, literally, well, legally, er....It's a YJ frame. Cherokee rear springs. My old XJ is in my avatar.

[XJumpmaster]

How did that winch wrap work for ya? I was with the group that drove up to you guys on Wayne's World.

[mbryson]

How did that winch wrap work for ya? I was with the group that drove up to you guys on Wayne's World.

Quite well. I pretty much watched the location of the rear tire the whole way out. It didn't move much at all.

[Brett M]

They break because you haven't painted my trim yet.




Or that could be because I haven't bought the paint either. Something......Tacoma knows though I am sure.

[xjblue]

I can't believe I actually broke a spring before you did.

[DeadEyeJ]

Marc,

From what I know about leaves there is one major cause of failure. Flexing them too far, especially if you do it repeatedly. If your case is caused by axle wrap, the obvious cure for this would be to add a link to the axle to control wrap. If it's caused by excessive flex, bumpstops and limiting straps are your solution.

As far as the off-set center pin design of the XJ leaves though, it is to control axle wrap. Reverse the spring and (at least in forward gears) you can make axle wrap worse. I'm thinking that a single control arm mounted horizontal, from the frame to the axle on a tall axle mount would solve your problems.

Good luck,
Jared:patriot:

[XJEEPER]

Bummer Marc, sounds about right though........run in reverse mode, they can't handle the stess from wrapage

[JeeperG]

I think Marc is running something for the axlewrap? I busted a stock YJ leaf once, sprung under too.

[XJEEPER]

Yah, but you're running an HO 4 cyl. Marc has a wimpy V-8 in his.....