Lowered leaf spring question
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Lowered leaf spring question
Got around to installing my 3" lower than stock Eaton leaf springs today. A few things I noticed
1. There longer by 1/2" to 3/4" which extends the shackle way forward (see pix)
2. The center of the spring where the axle attaches seems farther forward although still in the center of spring, which now looks to be on an upward slope....to increase caster?
3. Assuming the spring is installed correctly (see pix) with the front eye under spring and the rear over spring, my thought though....with the shackle so far forward would it be better to install spring the other way around for more clearance or did Eaton just make it too long?
1. There longer by 1/2" to 3/4" which extends the shackle way forward (see pix)
2. The center of the spring where the axle attaches seems farther forward although still in the center of spring, which now looks to be on an upward slope....to increase caster?
3. Assuming the spring is installed correctly (see pix) with the front eye under spring and the rear over spring, my thought though....with the shackle so far forward would it be better to install spring the other way around for more clearance or did Eaton just make it too long?
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
I'd consider sending them back. For sure you should call or email them.
'69 W200 (thumbnail)
'68 W200 (RIP)
'68 W200 383 NP435 3.53
'67 W200 383 NP435 4.10 w overload springs, Dana 60, PTO winch & flatbed dump, racks, crane, c-air (Max)
Mark Vande Pol
Wildergarten.org
'68 W200 (RIP)
'68 W200 383 NP435 3.53
'67 W200 383 NP435 4.10 w overload springs, Dana 60, PTO winch & flatbed dump, racks, crane, c-air (Max)
Mark Vande Pol
Wildergarten.org
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
Oh don't worry I will, it was Saturday and there closed and thought maybe someone else ran into the same problem as I....doesn't look good and I'm out one of these guysWildergarten wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 9:03 pmI'd consider sending them back. For sure you should call or email them.
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
Are you checking length without comparing the arc of the 2 spring packs? If the arc is less on the new springs, that may be the issue. I have both spring eyes turned downward on my 65 (on otherwise OEM springs) and the front shackle is angled very similar to yours but, that's when the truck is on the ground (not on axle stands or otherwise held off the ground). The arch of the springs is almost non-existent with the truck sitting such that any remaining forward shackle travel is going to be very small before it reaches a point where shackle travel would reverse direction.
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
You know what....I believe your right, they are almost straight with no arch with no weight, so when weight is added they arch upward pulling the shackel towards the rear of the car. Also on my springs one eye is up one eye is down on the same springSeries1Utiline wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:39 amAre you checking length without comparing the arc of the 2 spring packs? If the arc is less on the new springs, that may be the issue. I have both spring eyes turned downward on my 65 (on otherwise OEM springs) and the front shackle is angled very similar to yours but, that's when the truck is on the ground (not on axle stands or otherwise held off the ground). The arch of the springs is almost non-existent with the truck sitting such that any remaining forward shackle travel is going to be very small before it reaches a point where shackle travel would reverse direction.
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
Okay, put some weight on the spring, spring of course went outward and hit rivets on frame see picture #6, picture #5 is at rest. Also you can see the length difference of the 2 springs picture's #1 and 2 with the center line way off. You'll notice in the picture #4 how close it will now come to hitting pan.Volksnut wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2020 6:59 amYou know what....I believe your right, they are almost straight with no arch with no weight, so when weight is added they arch upward pulling the shackel towards the rear of the car. Also on my springs one eye is up one eye is down on the same springSeries1Utiline wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:39 amAre you checking length without comparing the arc of the 2 spring packs? If the arc is less on the new springs, that may be the issue. I have both spring eyes turned downward on my 65 (on otherwise OEM springs) and the front shackle is angled very similar to yours but, that's when the truck is on the ground (not on axle stands or otherwise held off the ground). The arch of the springs is almost non-existent with the truck sitting such that any remaining forward shackle travel is going to be very small before it reaches a point where shackle travel would reverse direction.
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
Good, Eton charges top dollar for those. If you still have your old springs, I'd measure every leaf and see if they blew it on both whole packs or just the two top leaves. Shipping those isn't cheap either.Volksnut wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:36 amOh don't worry I will, it was Saturday and there closed and thought maybe someone else ran into the same problem as I....doesn't look good and I'm out one of these guysWildergarten wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 9:03 pmI'd consider sending them back. For sure you should call or email them.
'69 W200 (thumbnail)
'68 W200 (RIP)
'68 W200 383 NP435 3.53
'67 W200 383 NP435 4.10 w overload springs, Dana 60, PTO winch & flatbed dump, racks, crane, c-air (Max)
Mark Vande Pol
Wildergarten.org
'68 W200 (RIP)
'68 W200 383 NP435 3.53
'67 W200 383 NP435 4.10 w overload springs, Dana 60, PTO winch & flatbed dump, racks, crane, c-air (Max)
Mark Vande Pol
Wildergarten.org
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
Okay talked to Eaton (very nice by the way) the lowered spring is longer at 24 3/8" oc with the original at 24". With the weight of the truck on the spring it will arch back up shortening the spring. I'll install and put it on the ground and give updates.
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
Reverse arch
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
Please do let us know how things go.
I am getting ready to buy springs and go down the same road.
So I appreciate the post.
Thanx.
SL.
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
Sorry maybe I said it wrong. The spring is longer and the shackle will be farther forward, the spring has little arch almost flat with no weight...when the car is on the ground with weight added the spring will bend upwards (reverse smile) and pull the shackle back towards the rear shortening the spring.PwrWgnDrvr wrote: ↑Mon Oct 26, 2020 12:37 pmSo u are saying the spring is upside down and when u add weight it will arch DOWN?
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
Got the springs and axle installed today, seems fine....I'm waiting on seals before the rotors/wheels go on, but you'll see all the weight is on the springs here....looks good, spring is arched upward. Eaton did tell me the spring is installed with the rear eye downward so I had that mounted backwards in the earlier photos.
Last edited by Volksnut on Mon Oct 26, 2020 8:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
Volksnut
If you don't mind please post some photos when you get er on the ground.
I'm interested in seeing your project with -3" springs installed.
PS: Does the castor seem to be correct now ?
Thanx man.
SL.
If you don't mind please post some photos when you get er on the ground.
I'm interested in seeing your project with -3" springs installed.
PS: Does the castor seem to be correct now ?
Thanx man.
SL.
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
OK, I now understand what you are saying, but I don't agree with your terminology.
When the truck is sitting on the ground, the CENTER of the spring, which sits on the axle, does NOT move vertically in either direction, not UP, not DOWN. The ENDS move. When weight is added, the ends move DOWN. So whatever "arc" or "arch" there is, it is not created by an UP motion, or "arching upward" as you stated.
Of course an increased "arc" will pull the ends closer together. That's just basic tenth grade geometry.
When the truck is sitting on the ground, the CENTER of the spring, which sits on the axle, does NOT move vertically in either direction, not UP, not DOWN. The ENDS move. When weight is added, the ends move DOWN. So whatever "arc" or "arch" there is, it is not created by an UP motion, or "arching upward" as you stated.
Of course an increased "arc" will pull the ends closer together. That's just basic tenth grade geometry.
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
Is your lowering project with the new spring pack only or did you also have the axle dropped further? Either way, make sure to check the height of the pitman arm hole center (for the drag link) to the center of the steering arm (thickness) to confirm those points are roughly level with the truck on the ground.
Just curious, what year and model is your truck and is that front sump oil pan factory on yours? I had previously been told those were used on 4WD trucks from the factory but obviously yours is not.
Just curious, what year and model is your truck and is that front sump oil pan factory on yours? I had previously been told those were used on 4WD trucks from the factory but obviously yours is not.
Re: Lowered leaf spring question
Front sump pans were standard on the V8 Sweptlines.Series1Utiline wrote: ↑Tue Oct 27, 2020 6:00 amJust curious, what year and model is your truck and is that front sump oil pan factory on yours? I had previously been told those were used on 4WD trucks from the factory but obviously yours is not.
John
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
Its a '63 D100 with 318. I did just the leafs, axle is stockSeries1Utiline wrote: ↑Tue Oct 27, 2020 6:00 amIs your lowering project with the new spring pack only or did you also have the axle dropped further? Either way, make sure to check the height of the pitman arm hole center (for the drag link) to the center of the steering arm (thickness) to confirm those points are roughly level with the truck on the ground.
Just curious, what year and model is your truck and is that front sump oil pan factory on yours? I had previously been told those were used on 4WD trucks from the factory but obviously yours is not.
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Re: Lowered leaf spring question
Here you go. Presently the car has 235/60-15's on the front and I think there too short. Will be adding a pair of 235/70-15's to match rear tire height, should fill up the wheel well.ScrooLoose wrote: ↑Mon Oct 26, 2020 7:18 pmVolksnut
If you don't mind please post some photos when you get er on the ground.
I'm interested in seeing your project with -3" springs installed.
PS: Does the castor seem to be correct now ?
Thanx man.
SL.