Topic: leaf spring clamp question

[AGUHR]

Quick question - those clamps that keep the leaf spring packs in a straight stack - is it important to have them clamped or can I unclamp them and bend it straight up so it still keeps it in line. Will it improve flex any? The clamps on my leafs are riveted on the bottom.

What I want to do is put a carriage bolt through them with a spacer to keep them from folding in or out and not allowing the leafs to spread to far.

Not sure if this is normal to do or not.

[sharpxmen]

it's meant to keep them from slapping/vibrating, stockers are like you describe but the top one stays flat when driving on pavement so that's why there's no need to have them clamped. The stock one don't have that much arch in them either. It also helps with axle wrap quite a bit to have them clamped together. I doubt you'll gain any travel as your shackle will be straight before the need of lowering the leafspring more, maybe 1'' but at that point you won't have weight or barely any on that wheel.

edit: it would possibly make them softer on small bumps in the road, but that all depends on what leafs you have on and what arch the shorter ones have in them.

[Jeffy]

Quick question - those clamps that keep the leaf spring packs in a straight stack - is it important to have them clamped or can I unclamp them and bend it straight up so it still keeps it in line. Will it improve flex any? The clamps on my leafs are riveted on the bottom.

What I want to do is put a carriage bolt through them with a spacer to keep them from folding in or out and not allowing the leafs to spread to far.

Not sure if this is normal to do or not.

It's an old trick to get more flex out of an otherwise stiff leaf pack. The better aftermarket leafs use bolts instead of being clamped down.  Typically you straighten them then bend the tips so there's more room between the leaf and the clamp.  You could try drilling them for a bolt as well but that might be tough.  If you're running stock springs that I wouldn't bother as those are soft leafs already.  If you allow the leafs to flex too much you can snap the main leaf.

[AGUHR]

Thanks for the response. I'll leave them clamped then. I appreciate the help.