Worst Helper Springs EVER?
07-27-2009, 08:02 AM
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Worst Helper Springs EVER?
I recently obtained a 1971 Dodge Motorhome which is based off a B300 1-Ton Van. I noticed a device bolted on the bottom of the control arms that I have never seen before. No, it's not an anti-sway bar, I know what those look like.
This Device is a leaf spring shaped like a moustache. It appears to me to be an add-on helper spring. However, it appears that it would make sway a worse problem!!! I can't find one on the internet.
When going around a corner, if the wheel bearing the weight is loaded, the spring would tend to "teeter totter" and push the opposite wheel down, rather than pushing it up, thereby making sway WORSE!!!
I need to post a picture of it on here so you all can see it.
I want to know if anyone else has seen these things and can give me a second opinion before I tear it off.
This Device is a leaf spring shaped like a moustache. It appears to me to be an add-on helper spring. However, it appears that it would make sway a worse problem!!! I can't find one on the internet.
When going around a corner, if the wheel bearing the weight is loaded, the spring would tend to "teeter totter" and push the opposite wheel down, rather than pushing it up, thereby making sway WORSE!!!
I need to post a picture of it on here so you all can see it.
I want to know if anyone else has seen these things and can give me a second opinion before I tear it off.
07-27-2009, 09:23 AM
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It sounds to me like someone installed them upside down.
If anything I would install a load srping from a 1 ton into the leaf spring packs and throw on a set of coil over shocks or airbags.
If anything I would install a load srping from a 1 ton into the leaf spring packs and throw on a set of coil over shocks or airbags.
07-27-2009, 09:36 AM
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I'm not sure you quite understand what this thing looks like. I will try to illustrate with words until I can post a picture:
My motorhome has coil springs and independent front suspension. This leaf spring add-on was bolted under and to the outer ends of the bottom of the lower control arms and it touches the frame in the center. Where it touches the frame in the center, is the pivot point where the teeter-totter action I think will occur, making sway worse. It is one leaf spring, mounted east-west, not north-south like most every other leaf spring you have ever seen. It lowers the ground clearance under the front suspension.
I am really hoping someone else has seen these. I am wondering if the company that made them quickly withdrew them from the market after a few deaths from roll over.
My motorhome has coil springs and independent front suspension. This leaf spring add-on was bolted under and to the outer ends of the bottom of the lower control arms and it touches the frame in the center. Where it touches the frame in the center, is the pivot point where the teeter-totter action I think will occur, making sway worse. It is one leaf spring, mounted east-west, not north-south like most every other leaf spring you have ever seen. It lowers the ground clearance under the front suspension.
I am really hoping someone else has seen these. I am wondering if the company that made them quickly withdrew them from the market after a few deaths from roll over.
07-27-2009, 08:56 PM
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Sounds familiar, My 46' Ford 1 Ton had a something similar. And it wasn't uncommon to mount leaf springs, 'east to west' way back in the day, many pre 60's sports cars (MG, BMW, Triumph, Benz, Alpine, Alpha etc!) used a single spring over the length of the axle. But if the springs are shot, then they are useless, they'll just worsen any sway. If they were new and tight it would plant the front end down.
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