Evan G Posted August 13, 2010 Report Posted August 13, 2010 gday all, i need to "firm" up the rear of my ke55, ive got a spare set of leafs that ive dis-assembled, ive read somewhere that the 2nd is used on the other set of springs? can i use the 1st leaf (the one with the spring eyes on it) and chop the eyes off? or will this give very very very stiff? i don't want to lower it, its got a rear sway bar, i just need to go around corners a little bit more confiedently and reduce axle tramp! "Another method of reducing tramp is to add a thick leaf on top of the front section only of the leaf pack. I have read about people getting another top leaf (as in the one with the leaf eye), cutting the eye off, cutting the leaf off behind the U bolt, and attaching this above the original top leaf, to good effect" so by the info ive sorted through, cut the thick leaf in half as above - to reduce tramp and use the 2nd spring to firm it all up? what do you guys run and how stiff it is Quote
Redwarf Posted August 13, 2010 Report Posted August 13, 2010 Not knowing off hand what thickness a standard spring is, I can tell you I've added an 8mm spring into mine, and it's fine. Quote
Evan G Posted August 13, 2010 Author Report Posted August 13, 2010 Not knowing off hand what thickness a standard spring is, I can tell you I've added an 8mm spring into mine, and it's fine. does the extra leaf run the whole lenght of the old spring or does it finish like 15cm before the spring eyes? Quote
_FNQ_rolla_ Posted August 13, 2010 Report Posted August 13, 2010 "Another method of reducing tramp is to add a thick leaf on top of the front section only of the leaf pack. I have read about people getting another top leaf (as in the one with the leaf eye), cutting the eye off, cutting the leaf off behind the U bolt, and attaching this above the original top leaf, to good effect" I asked a spring place about this and he said that in 20 years of redoing springs he had not heard of this, maybe its just him (was kinda of thinking that I should talk to another spring shop). Quote
Andy43 Posted August 13, 2010 Report Posted August 13, 2010 "Another method of reducing tramp is to add a thick leaf on top of the front section only of the leaf pack. I have read about people getting another top leaf (as in the one with the leaf eye), cutting the eye off, cutting the leaf off behind the U bolt, and attaching this above the original top leaf, to good effect" I asked a spring place about this and he said that in 20 years of redoing springs he had not heard of this, maybe its just him (was kinda of thinking that I should talk to another spring shop). Thats a common trick in speedway, The theory is the front of the spring is there to locate the diff and the rear part of the spring provides the suspension, But I'm no expert I just read that part in a few books. I once U bolted some 40X40 rhs on the front part of the spring on a HT monaro that we were drag racing, fixed the axel tramp but would not go around corners as we had no body roll at all. Quote
greenmac80 Posted August 13, 2010 Report Posted August 13, 2010 i have reversed eyes, overall 30mm drop extra leaf and anti tramp half leaf and i love it.. the rear end feels perfect in my car. Quote
coln72 Posted August 13, 2010 Report Posted August 13, 2010 Yet I only ran two leaves in my ke20 springs and had no issues with tramp. Quote
rob83ke70 Posted August 13, 2010 Report Posted August 13, 2010 best option: see a reputable spring place that deals with leaf springs. next option: experiment based on other's experience. my experience: got two second from top leaves, flipped them upside down, chopped them off behind the u bolts, and added them (via means of g clamps and some fiddling) to the top of the spring packs. This lowered the car a little bit - maybe 20mm - firmed it up somewhat, and it doesn't tramp, or very rarely tramps. I'd be curious as to adding a full length leaf the right way up, or making and installing caltrac bars. I'd also be curious as to taking leaves out and softening up the rear suspension heaps to see what it does. Theoretically the softer the springs the more weight transfers to the rear and the more traction. Being a bit of a gravel enthusiast myself, I'd love to spend a day playing around and getting the suspension nice and soft, then test driving to note the effects.... If you can afford it go and see a spring place, probably end up much better and a lot simpler. Robert. Quote
Oh-KE Posted August 13, 2010 Report Posted August 13, 2010 (edited) i have reversed eyes, overall 30mm drop extra leaf and anti tramp half leaf and i love it.. the rear end feels perfect in my car. Is that all? I had reverse eyes in mine and an extra leaf and it was 290mm eyebrow height (low) 30mm doesnt seem like much but hey maybe mine were reset aswell. As for stiffening the rear I found with one extra leaf, I think it was 2nd or 3rd, it was noticeably stiffer but could have easily had another leaf without being annoying. Just have a play around with extra leaves and see what feels good for what you want Edited August 13, 2010 by Oh-KE Quote
Evan G Posted August 13, 2010 Author Report Posted August 13, 2010 i want standerd height!!!!!!!!! just want to firm it up a little bit more Quote
SLO-030 Posted August 13, 2010 Report Posted August 13, 2010 Ev, just grab the main leaf (with the eyes) Cut the eyes off and place it under the main leaf of the pack your using. If thats not enough, grab the 2nd leaf, cut it in a way so that it ends half way between the 2nd and 3rd leaf. Just be cautious of how much thread you have left on the center bolt. mightnt be able to add a 2nd extra leaf. We deal with half traction (anti tramp) leaves at work. Following on from what Andy43 said, thickening only the front half of the leaf pack, produces an almost 2 link style setup. The front half acts as a control arm whilst the rear is providing the suspension. Stock leaves are 6-7mm thick. I will be going new leaf packs, reversed eyes, extra leaf and an 8mm half traction leaf in the wagon. Just some food for thought for you guys playing with leaf sprung rear ends. Quote
coln72 Posted August 14, 2010 Report Posted August 14, 2010 best option: see a reputable spring place that deals with leaf springs. I'd also be curious as to taking leaves out and softening up the rear suspension heaps to see what it does. Theoretically the softer the springs the more weight transfers to the rear and the more traction. Being a bit of a gravel enthusiast myself, I'd love to spend a day playing around and getting the suspension nice and soft, then test driving to note the effects.... If you can afford it go and see a spring place, probably end up much better and a lot simpler. Robert. Exactly what I did. Only had the first and second leaf. Personally, I found it a lot more controllable on the clay/granite sand autocross track I used to run on. With the standard pack, I would be looking out of the drivers window in third gear :fuzz: trying to accelerate out of corners. The softer rear tamed this down a bit. can't give times but it felt better from the seat of the pants. For those of you going for stiffer rear springs, hw do you go in tight corners like roundabouts? I've always felt the standard rear leaves were too stiff as I would lift a rear tyre and single spin to a stop...... Quote
Evan G Posted August 14, 2010 Author Report Posted August 14, 2010 I'm half way through fitted the 2nd leaf to my pack, just waiting for the paint to dry :P i found all my u bolts loose and the leaf to diff locating pin ROOTED by the leafs rubbing againist it! Quote
Evan G Posted August 14, 2010 Author Report Posted August 14, 2010 orite all done, went for a bit of a drive, rear end feels alot sharper, feels the same over bumps??? but alot firmer and with 7 year old 185/65/r14 ($10 each) on the front, i can't lock up my brakes not even the rear THIS IS IN THE WET??????? with 14's steering feels abit lighter, successful arvo tinkering! Quote
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