Bent XJ SPRINGS Argggh

[jeepn-jason]

I know, I know, i need to link my junk, but what are you guys doing to keep from bending these pieces of crap. Im running 38s on my cj and keep bending the drivers rear spring about 5inches from the fixed mount. My traction bar is on the pass side butted right against the 3rd member on a 14bolt. Im thinking that the heims i have in the traction bar is allowing enough movement that the rear axle is trying to drive under the jeep. I changed the springs out and built a clamp, and I plan on swapping out the rear heims on my traction bar for bushings, anyone else have any suggestions???

 

[jeepn-jason]

Oh and btw, this is private land that my buddy owns, and I had permission to be there!!!

 

[Rich]

Get some springs with a military wrap?

The heims in the anti-wrap bar aren't your cause.. a thin main leaf with no wrap is your cause. Happens with the waggy's too. BTDT

Time to link it, call Alcan, or dig up some way to double-up the main leaf..

 

[J.C.]

Put a spring clamp at the end of the second leaf that goes around the main and second leafs. This will not inhibit your flexibility that much. Also, if you have some bent mains, straighten and cut the eyes off and use as an add a leaf. Add a clamp on this also. I went through about 5 mains before I did this. No problems since.

 

[jeepn-jason]

Put a spring clamp at the end of the second leaf that goes around the main and second leafs. This will not inhibit your flexibility that much. Also, if you have some bent mains, straighten and cut the eyes off and use as an add a leaf. Add a clamp on this also. I went through about 5 mains before I did this. No problems since.

Thats were I added my clamp at this time. B4 i didnt have any clamps on the springs, It seems as it still has as much flex too. My 2nd spring goes all the way underneath the mount, so it should be a lot stronger than before. Also John, which spring was you bending?? Was it the side opposite of your traction bar??

 

[ChrisM]

i saw somewhere that you can take another xj main leaf, flip it around and cut the end off the end that goes to the rear, slide it onto your springpack and have a a military wrapped spring where you are bending them... i dont know, does that make sense

 

[Erik]

i saw somewhere that you can take another xj main leaf, flip it around and cut the end off the end that goes to the rear, slide it onto your springpack and have a a military wrapped spring where you are bending them... i dont know, does that make sense

i've heard that works great... that's my plan actually.. once i find another couple sets of xj springs....


but.... you shouldn't be bending them if you have an anti-wrap bar and your shackle angle is correct..... i beat the hell out of my jeep and even powerbraking it, doing doughnuts, etc i haven't had ANY issues with that in the rear since the anti-wrap bar.

are you inverting your shackle when it happens? i'd say after fixing your anti-wrap bar you should either change the location of your spring hanger farther away a little or as a bandaide you could just weld some stops on the shackle hanger so it can't invert....

 

[jeepn-jason]

i saw somewhere that you can take another xj main leaf, flip it around and cut the end off the end that goes to the rear, slide it onto your springpack and have a a military wrapped spring where you are bending them... i dont know, does that make sense

That def. makes sense. Ive got some extra mains, Ill def cut some up, and give it a shot.

 

[jeepn-jason]

i've heard that works great... that's my plan actually.. once i find another couple sets of xj springs....
but.... you shouldn't be bending them if you have an anti-wrap bar and your shackle angle is correct..... i beat the hell out of my jeep and even powerbraking it, doing doughnuts, etc i haven't had ANY issues with that in the rear since the anti-wrap bar.
are you inverting your shackle when it happens? i'd say after fixing your anti-wrap bar you should either change the location of your spring hanger farther away a little or as a bandaide you could just weld some stops on the shackle hanger so it can't invert....

My shackle was inverted because the main spring bent into an L shape. My traction bar is just like the 9 billion other traction bars Ive seen, but I do have heims on all the corners of the t.bar. I keep bending the drivers side, and the tbar is on the pass side. I think what was happening the drivers side flexes down, springs fan out, and that side of the axle has nothing to keep it from driving under the jeep. THe heims and spacers I have in the tbar allow enough flex to allow this to happen.

I put some clamps on the front portion of the drivers spring to keep the pack together, I went back to the same spot in my pics above and didnt bend the spring this time,,,,,,,,,But I did break another damn 44 shaft. Oh well time for a 60.

 

[Erik]

but what caused the spring to bend? it's not natural for steel to want to bend... their had to be something leading up to it, such as axle wrap. axle wrap will bend the spring and the shackle will naturally follow.

fix your anti-wrap bar and your xj spring bending days will be over

-Erik

 

[jdubb]

This backwards XJ spring setup transfers the drive force through the long part of the spring. Its too much leverage and it just can't take it. Just move the spring hangers back and change springs. Gain some clearance in front of the rear tires instead of the ridiculous stock hangers sticking out there.