Clayton Offroad Leaf Springs

Mighty.Mighty_XJ · Nov 16, 2010

My new Clayton leafs have been on the XJ about a month. I went wheeling once at Rausch since they have been on. Are they supposed to look like this? (see pics) They are sitting flat, almost inverted, Do I need shims? Boomerangs?
Specs: C.O.R. 4.5" leafs, shackle relocation brackets, Iron Man shackles, no shims. XJ was partially loaded when pic was taken, some tools, spare D30 shafts, drive shafts & miscellaneous "stuff". (Front has Iron Rock 4" springs with ACOS and there is a sag in the rear. Any ideas?)

VAhasnoWAVES · Nov 16, 2010

that doesnt look like 4.5", id give them a call ASAP.

clean4drxj · Nov 16, 2010

they look to be sagged out

kcjeep6 · Nov 16, 2010

I believe Clayton uses R.E. springs, if so that is normal for R.E., what is the number painted on top of the spring?

VAhasnoWAVES · Nov 17, 2010

after 3 years my 4.5" rubicon springs do not look like that.

and ive towed a boat regularly.

clean4drxj · Nov 17, 2010

kcjeep6 said:
I believe Clayton uses R.E. springs, if so that is normal for R.E., what is the number painted on top of the spring?

I've been to claytons shop and have talked to clayton himself, I dont think they use RE springs, they have them made for them from another company.

Unearthed · Nov 17, 2010

Could it be how low the shackle is from the relocation bracket?

How much different were the leaves when you first put the bracket on?

94xjstud · Nov 17, 2010

Unearthed said:
Could it be how low the shackle is from the relocation bracket?

How much different were the leaves when you first put the bracket on?

Unless the shackle was previously inverted the brackets would not change anything.

kcjeep6 · Nov 17, 2010

You must have a pre-India set. I have a post-India set that looked like gull wings the day I installed them. My pre-Inda set where great!

kcjeep6 · Nov 17, 2010

clean4drxj said:
I've been to claytons shop and have talked to clayton himself, I dont think they use RE springs, they have them made for them from another company.

I know Claton is a great guy and I love his products!
Darn internet is full of lies.

FloydXJ · Nov 17, 2010

kcjeep6 said:
I know Claton is a great guy and I love his products!
Darn internet is full of lies.

He was not totally off base. Clayton used to source leafs from RE and another company. RE for western sales, and the other company (I forget who it was) for eastern sales. The guy I ordered from told me about it, and the set I got came straight from RE, and had the RE part numbers on it:viking:
However, I think I read a while back that they switched to a dedicated manufacturer.

xjtrailrider · Nov 17, 2010

My RE 4.5" sit with more arch than that and thats with 200 pounds of tools and trail spares in the back. those leaves look thin to me

Mighty.Mighty_XJ · Nov 17, 2010

All these responses echo what I was afraid of. I thought that because they weren't shimmed that they'd appear flattened out like that. But 1 month? Boy, I hope Clayton can fix this. I don't drive the XJ on road normally altho I have been doing so on & off since R'fest. I'm hoping to identify & repair any little "things" before it picks up winter duty. But that's all the use these springs have seen, 1.5 miles to work - and back.
Pic request: Anyone that has the same or similar setup please post pics that I can use for comparison.

Problem is, even if Clayton sends new springs, it's gonna cost me to have them swapped. I'm going to send him the pics & see what kind of response I get.

VAhasnoWAVES · Nov 17, 2010

regardless of who manufactured the spring for clayton, that is NOT the advertised 4.5". its not a super clear photo but you can still see the arch in the spring (no relocation brackets). yours looks flat.

46071_111459292241829_100001332774399_75101_2030553_n.jpg

id call clayton and explain the situation. as a reputable manufacturer id ask them to replace it and cover shipping of your current spring back to them.

Mighty.Mighty_XJ · Nov 17, 2010

So far I've PM'd the Clayton vendor here on the forum. Awaiting response.

foxwar71 · Nov 17, 2010

IIRC, Clayton has his leafs custom made by a local spring shop, at least he used to.

Are you getting any axle wrap? Some shackle brackets and longer shackles (along with other factors) can add some more leverage on things and more wrap. Alot of wrap can kick the crap outta leafs packs and make them sag ass. Also, what's you do for a break-in on the leafs when first installed?

muddeprived · Nov 18, 2010

Did you set your bumpstops? Alot of people neglect this crucial part of suspension systems. If you don't extend you bumpstops, you will invert your leaf springs, causing premature wear on your leaves. Extended shackles will also flatten leaf springs more than stock shackles.

Did you measure the current lift height? If it's less than advertised then there might be a chance of getting replacements.

cjsxj87 · Nov 18, 2010

Claytons springs are made by a diff company(not RE). They get 6.5s and take a leaf out for 4.5s. Im sure Clayton will help you out he is a very reasonable guy.

Clayton Off Road · Nov 27, 2010

Working with this customer to take care of this issue.

Clayton Off Road Mfg.

playwithit · Dec 8, 2010

Clayton Off Road Mfg said:
Working with this customer to take care of this issue.

Clayton Off Road Mfg.

Update? I was interested in your leafs but need resolution to this issue.

Thanks

Clayton Offroad Leaf Springs

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