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Post by Ryan_M on May 9, 2014 17:14:35 GMT -5
I need some help from you M38 guys. I am trying to replace the leaf springs and can't get them to fit. Here's the front spring. This one is a Crown but I had a similar problem with an Omix brand. Pivot end is on the bottom, shackle end on the top.  The pivot end has a rubber/metal combo bushing:  That bushing easily accommodates the 7/16" pivot bolt:  The shackle end has a metal bushing:  That bushing is too small to accommodate the shackle bearing (and too big for a 7/16" bolt) so I drove it out:  Even with the bushing removed, the shackle end of the leaf spring is too small for the shackle bearing - it will not go in, not even close:  Oddly, the pivot end of the leaf spring is just the right size for the shackle bearing if the rubber/metal bushing were driven out. The bushing is still in place here but you can see the shackle bearing would fit otherwise:  So if I drive the pivot bushing out I can use that end for the shackle but then the other end wouldn't fit the pivot pin. Do I have the wrong springs altogether? If so, where do I get M38 ones? Both the Omix and Crown springs were sold as M38 compatible but neither fit. Am I missing the obvious? Please help... |
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Post by Haines Garage on May 9, 2014 18:00:11 GMT -5
I am going to stab at this, and I am no M38 guy. Crown in my opinion is better than Omix. I have s set of Crown for my project.
I have heard many complaints about reproduction springs being incorrect.
However...Are you sure you are using the right ends..
Did you measure against the originals?
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Post by Ryan_M on May 9, 2014 18:26:13 GMT -5
Both ends of the original springs are approx .85" in diameter.
The new Crown springs are .85" on one end and .72" on the other, hence the problem. I guess I could ream the small end to make it bigger but I'm hoping there's a less Bubbafied solution.
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Post by Haines Garage on May 9, 2014 18:57:05 GMT -5
It is a fact, they just don't make them like they used to. I don't think a little reaming would hurt.
That is my opinion.
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Post by Ryan_M on May 9, 2014 19:16:06 GMT -5
It may end up getting reamed. However, in two other forums where I posted the same question I've found two people (including our own Hillbillis) who have installed Crown springs on M38's within the past 24 hours without issue. I'm missing something.
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Post by Ryan_M on May 12, 2014 20:49:07 GMT -5
In case anyone was wondering I did get these Crown springs to fit tonight. Unfortunately I did have to drill 9/16" holes in the spring hangers so I could install greaseable pivot bolts. I hate drilling anything, even on a beater like my M38, but I really didn't have any other practical options.
I pressed out the rubber/metal bushing that was originally intended for the pivot end and used that side (now with no bushings at all) for the shackle. The other end of the spring (the one with the smaller wrap and a brass bushing) fit perfectly with the new greaseable pivot bolt.
I'm back on the road again....!
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Haines as a guest ,,,ha ha
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Post by Haines as a guest ,,,ha ha on May 12, 2014 21:22:19 GMT -5
In case anyone was wondering I did get these Crown springs to fit tonight. Unfortunately I did have to drill 9/16" holes in the spring hangers so I could install greaseable pivot bolts. I hate drilling anything, even on a beater like my M38, but I really didn't have any other practical options. I pressed out the rubber/metal bushing that was originally intended for the pivot end and used that side (now with no bushings at all) for the shackle. The other end of the spring (the one with the smaller wrap and a brass bushing) fit perfectly with the new greaseable pivot bolt. I'm back on the road again....! I was wondering, and thanks for the update Sir Ryan. |
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2014 6:35:29 GMT -5
Good job Ryan! We'll call it a upgrade, not a modification since I'm doing the same thing on my M38. The Jeep Police will be informed that it was a Motor Pool Upgrade!  John |
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Post by Ryan_M on May 13, 2014 21:07:53 GMT -5
It must be a pretty common "upgrade". Hillbilly claimed to have a fleet of M38's at his shop all with these 9/16" greaseable pivot bolts as did Kyle from ECWA. A test ride tonight shows remarkable improvement over the bumps but the "Jeep lean" is still as bad as it ever was although it leans from a slightly taller stance now. Since this thing is such a heap I didn't prep or paint anything. I'll blast with Rustoleum green later on and call it good. Heap or not, this M38 now runs better, rides better, shifts better, sounds better, and leaves much smaller puddles on the floor than my shiny 3A. Go figure.   |
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Post by Haines Garage on May 13, 2014 21:14:11 GMT -5
Sir Ryan ...that is great news...but what was the problem on the install?
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Post by Ryan_M on May 13, 2014 21:22:29 GMT -5
Sir Ryan ...that is great news...but what was the problem on the install? Problem was one of the spring wrap ends on the Crown's is smaller than he original M38 springs, hence the madness described in the saga above. |
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2014 5:55:57 GMT -5
That Jeep lean is a pest. It seems to come back no matter how you fix it. When you look at all the stuff that's sitting on the drivers side, it makes sense why. You also learn that the RR tire is the one that spins first on slippery loose stuff. No weight on it! Oil
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Post by Ryan_M on May 16, 2014 21:24:59 GMT -5
That Jeep lean is a pest. It seems to come back no matter how you fix it. When you look at all the stuff that's sitting on the drivers side, it makes sense why. You also learn that the RR tire is the one that spins first on slippery loose stuff. No weight on it! Oil My 3A doesn't lean nearly as bad but it does have a passenger side spare tire that may help balance things out a bit. Those "lefty" 2A's must have nearly rolled over on their left side even in a slight breeze. |
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Post by Haines Garage on May 16, 2014 21:31:56 GMT -5
Sir Ryan ...that is great news...but what was the problem on the install? Problem was one of the spring wrap ends on the Crown's is smaller than he original M38 springs, hence the madness described in the saga above. How did you fix it? |
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Post by Haines Garage on May 16, 2014 21:33:00 GMT -5
That Jeep lean is a pest. It seems to come back no matter how you fix it. When you look at all the stuff that's sitting on the drivers side, it makes sense why. You also learn that the RR tire is the one that spins first on slippery loose stuff. No weight on it! Oil My 3A doesn't lean nearly as bad but it does have a passenger side spare tire that may help balance things out a bit. Those "lefty" 2A's must have nearly rolled over on their left side even in a slight breeze.[/quote And a very insightful statement... |
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Post by Haines Garage on May 17, 2014 22:27:28 GMT -5
Don't know how that thread got locked...I unlocked it....
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John