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Broken Spring Clamp.

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by scott milliner, Aug 14, 2021.

  1. scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    How do you fix this.

    Must be another Rubicon Trail Damage.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    :watch: I have the same problem. I think they are riveted but I don’t know how to fix it either.
     
  3. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I've used a bungee strap....
    :shrug:
     
  4. colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

  5. Bob

    Bob Member

    If you have a spring shop around, they can put a new rivet in it or you could do it yourself too. To install a new rivet, you’ll have to disassemble the spring pack.
     
    timgr and Fireball like this.
  6. Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    X2. Disassemble the spring pack and press the rivet back into the hole, then peen it with a punch.
    -Donny
     
    dozerjim and OzFin like this.
  7. scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    I have a press. I like this idea. Sounds plausible.
     
  8. Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Easiest , quickest way would be to let go the closest shackle , drive the clamp & leaf back till the rivet falls in the hole . Then weld the lower spring to the clamp at the end in your picture .
     
  9. scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    No. I think you have it wrong. Nothing is wrong with the spring, just the clamp came out of the rivet hole. If you look closely at the picture. The rivet on the clamp is about a 1/2" from the original hole.
     
  10. wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    I am not schooled in metallurgy or welding so I have to ask: Is it okay to weld a leaf spring? My gut says no but I am a novice at best.
     
  11. dozerjim

    dozerjim Member

    x2
     
  12. Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    The second leaf from the top has shifted to Starboard, also. A Big Hammer should bring it back.
    Just Say'n......
    ....Richie
     
  13. sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Welded springs eventually fail.
     
    timgr, dozerjim and Twin2 like this.
  14. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I would say no.
     
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  15. ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    (Leaf)spring steel welds beautifully. It’s a high quality, high carbon steel. I used to weld them together to make skid plates out of them. The problem is, the heat from welding will anneal the area around the weld (reversing the temper) and it will no longer be a spring.

    If I understand what @Lockman is suggesting, you could drive out the rivet and run a bead across the end of the spring it is resting next to in the picture. Annealing the end of that single leaf wouldn’t harm anything.

    Warning though: Leaf spring steel contains chromium. Welding steel that contains chromium releases extremely harmful fumes. This is a fun, lighthearted read:

    Hexavalent Chromium - Health Effects | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
     
    timgr likes this.
  16. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    I recall a story from the distant past (Granville King?) about a couple who broke the main leaf on their Jeep (Wagoneer?) in the back country of Mexico. The remote village shop found a spring of the right length with the wrong center hole location. They popped a new hole in the leaf with the acetylene torch, put the spring pack together and sent them on their way. JMO - welding on the spring might be justified in some situations, but not here - too many more appealing alternatives.
     
  17. iharding

    iharding Quitter

    I'm pretty sure all those things do is keep the leaves from splaying out laterally. It's doing that now. If you want it to look nice why not unbolt it, reposition it and bolt it back in? Mine don't have the locating pin yours does but I bet it just pops back into place.
     
    Lockman likes this.
  18. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I think they also share the forces during rebound.
     
  19. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Not saying that isn't true, but I've sure seen bunches of new leaf springs with banding material over rubber to clamp them together.
     
    iharding likes this.
  20. iharding

    iharding Quitter

    I had a leaf added to mine and that's what I got.
     
    Lockman and Glenn like this.