Will these leaf spring clamps help my flex or ride?

[oldmustangjunkie]

Thanks for the info, Goatman. I guess the bottom line is that the bolt on leave clamps will do more good than harm. Are there any down sides to a bolt on type clamp?

 

[Goatman]

Thanks for the info, Goatman. I guess the bottom line is that the bolt on leave clamps will do more good than harm. Are there any down sides to a bolt on type clamp?

Yeah, drilling the frickin' hole in that spring steel leaf spring.

All good quality leaf springs come with that style spring clamp, but they are riveted on so the leaf is flat/smooth on top. I don't see exactly how that bolt on clamp attaches to the leaf. Does the clamp go on top of the leaf it's attached to, with the bolt/stud going through the leaf and the nut on the bottom? If that's the case then the leaf on top of it won't have a flat surface to lay against, which would eventually cause fatigue in that spot and could contribute to the leaf breaking.

I'm not seeing how that clamp is attached to the leaf.

 

[oldmustangjunkie]

A counter sunk screw goes into the spring, minimizing the amount of bolt sticking up. The clamp goes on the bottom of the lowest leaf spring.

 

[Goatman]

A counter sunk screw goes into the spring, minimizing the amount of bolt sticking up. The clamp goes on the bottom of the lowest leaf spring.

So then they are a replacement for the original riveted on clamps, and use the beveled hole in the spring to countersink the new bolt. I'd hate to start from scratch and drill a new countersunk hole.......

 

[oldmustangjunkie]

My springs never had these types of clamps on them. I will have to drill the holes. I'd consider JB welding them on there but damn that is hackish.

 

[Jes]

I'd hate to start from scratch and drill a new countersunk hole.......

Me too, I just weld them on.
I made a new one out of some 3/4"X1/8" stock to replace this one I broke...

 

[Goatman]

I welded extensions on to mine to make them longer when I added more leaves.



Rather than drilling holes, I'd find a leaf that already has the clamps and use it.

 

[hubs97xj]

My stock leaf has at least one hole where the bent-tab clamps were sitting, and I couldn't figure out why. Did XJs ever use those clamps that bolt to the bottom leaf?

I threw together some knock-offs of the bolt together clamps (the originals were falling/rusting off), but I wasn't sure how to keep them in place without being too tight. Learn something every day on here.

 

[JeepFreak21]

Did XJs ever use those clamps that bolt to the bottom leaf?

Or MJ's, S10's, Dakota's, E series vans?

I'm about to this step myself and I really don't want to drill a hole from nothing.

Thanks,
Billy

 

[builder]

I used the BDS ones with the C/S srew,put them on tighten them down,used leaf tips on end of leaf and double lipped liner in between. if needed you can grinf them down a bit also.i also drilled my xj leafs for a 3/8 center pin.a slow speed drill press and a regular old carbide bit worked well. 8 leafs 20 minutes and 2 bits.

 

[oldmustangjunkie]

Where is the best place to put these clamps. I have a set of stock XJ leafs with a full-lenght AAL. My choices seem to be: on the shortest leaf (bottom leaf) or all the way at the mounting ends of my springs.

 

[oldmustangjunkie]

I'm going to take my packs apart tonight. Can anyone help me with their placement?

 

[JeepFreak21]

I put mine pretty close to the end of the leaves.




Billy

 

[oldmustangjunkie]

What would happen if I were to mount them further in? Or if I mount one close to the axle and one like you have pictured above? Basically, at one end there is no where I can mount my clamp but on the short leaf. At the other end I can mount it to one of the longer ones.

 

[JeepFreak21]

What would happen if I were to mount them further in? Or if I mount one close to the axle and one like you have pictured above? Basically, at one end there is no where I can mount my clamp but on the short leaf. At the other end I can mount it to one of the longer ones.

I wouldn't think it would help control the axle wrap nearly as much, but if that's all you can do...

Why can't you mount it to a longer leaf?

If you do mount it closer to the center, I wouldn't have the bolt so high above the spring.

Billy

 

[Jes]

Billy, put the nut on those bolts on the tire side. Ya, they probably won't ever come loose(mine never have) but if they did you'll be happy if the nut is on the tire side.

 

[builder]

I used the hendrix bolt on clamps om my bastard pack and put the on the third xj leaf. works well!

 

[JeepFreak21]

Billy, put the nut on those bolts on the tire side. Ya, they probably won't ever come loose(mine never have) but if they did you'll be happy if the nut is on the tire side.

Good thinking! Thanks man!

Billy

 

[Timber]

Does welding the clamps on damage the leaves in any way? I may do that with my new packs. Take off the stock-style clamps and fab up some bolt-style ones and weld 'em on.

 

[JeepFreak21]

Does welding the clamps on damage the leaves in any way?

YES!!
Billy