Advice on best way to 'settle' new leaf springs

TS2304 · Mar 20, 2021

Hello all - am looking for your collective wisdom / advice on the best way to settle leaf springs before tightening up all the bolts.
Have just fitted new rear leaf springs to my 109 and have so far just tightened up the u-bolts enough to hold the plate and spring in place to the axle and have left all the shackle pins finger tight only.
What's the view on best way to proceed from here? Bounce on it a lot? Load it? run it over potholes?
Or I've read some that say use ratchet straps to lift the axle/spring to meet the measurements given in the manual and then tighten the pins at that and job done.
What's the view?
Any and all advice appreciated - especially from anyone who may have done similar!
thanks!

Colthebrummie · Mar 20, 2021

My preferred method is to load it. The trouble is finding enough heavy stuff to load it with. When I was a bus mechanic, changing leaf springs was a very regular job, we just fitted them without loading or anything else. I certainly wouldn't drive it with all the bolts loose. I think in the abscence of anything to load it with, I'd just fit them and double check the tightness of everything after a 100 miles or so. On the other hand, if you are planning to lug heavy weights in it regularly, you will need to load it before tightening.

Col

boguing · Mar 20, 2021

I used ratchet straps to get mine down to the 'correct height' then tightened everything. Easy - but then this was while the body was off, not so much fun with it on... Wheels off I guess.

TS2304 · Mar 21, 2021

Many thanks chaps.
So far 1 vote for loading, 1 for ratchet straps then.
I’ll see if anyone else gets the chance to reply then make a decision I guess if no consensus appears

lynall · Mar 21, 2021

Wait until the car is all built up, tighten shackles and dont worry about it.

Have seen the reults of people tightening shackles with the axles hanging, the bushes do not last to long before they start eating themselves.

TheMegaMan · Mar 21, 2021

That was the approach I used - tighten them right at the end when everything else had been fitted - just don't forget!

My thinking was that the bushes should be 'relaxed' in the normal position/state the vehicle will be in. Very difficult to achieve with straps, and loading up more than usual will put the suspension out of it's normal position. Of course, if your Landy is going to spend most of its time with a full boot...

cornish rattler · Mar 21, 2021

Hsve them nipped up then drive it over curbs and speed bumps then tighten up

rob1miles · Mar 22, 2021

Load it, get a few mates in the back (self loading cargo - aviation term for passengers..)

TS2304 · Mar 22, 2021

Thanks all. Loaded it till axle to chassis height was that given in the book (158-162mm) and then tightened it all up. Will run it for a few miles then check and retighten and see how we go.
cheers for all the advice.

Advice on best way to 'settle' new leaf springs

TS2304

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Colthebrummie

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boguing

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TS2304

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lynall

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TheMegaMan

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cornish rattler

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rob1miles

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TS2304

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