Wheel house axle springs

[eagle_3464]

Has anyone ever had issues with the leaf spring breaking on your wheel house? Most I have seen have one end of the spring stuffed into a tube nearly half way with the tube putting all the load at one point of the spring. To me, that would be the stress point and do you get enough suspension this way. I would think there is a better design for the springs.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Eagle,

You are very correct in your assumption! The tube is a major stress point and does break springs!

I have had to replace the springs on both sides of one of my houses designed that way!

The other two houses do not have the tube and are just fine!

Cliff

[fsnrod]

I have had a spring break. I put plates with 4 bolts on each spring I think I got them at northern.

[eagle_3464]

Cliff, thanks for the reply. Do you happen to have any pictures of the ones that do not use the spring in tube design? I am looking to build and want to do something diffferent.

[eagle_3464]

fsnrod, do you happen to have any pics of how you changed yours?

[fsnrod]

[Gordie]

Another factor is how the spring is fastened in the front of the spring. If you have it fastened thru just the spring eye it will put more stress on the spring closest to the tube also and installing the shackle as in the picture is a good way to take out some of the stress but not enough IMO when I have bulky these set ups I run the spring thru u shaped block and a bolt over the top of the spring. This let's. The spring slide forwards and help take away the stress of up and down movement that cause the most stress. The bolted plates will help but IMO it will still have a stews point I will search for a picture to post.

[minnbowhunter]

Eagle, a while back there was a post with pics about a build that one of the members was working on. The suspension was very well done and I saved the pics. I am sorry I don't remember who was the owner of the house.

Maybe the right person will see it and help you out

[eagle_3464]

fsnrod, thanks for the pic. Those plates might help tie the leafs together better but IMO the stress point where it enters the tube still exists.

[eagle_3464]

mnbowhunter, thanks for the pic. That design is actually very similar to a design I have been working on. With this design I have one end of the spring nearly straight above the axle pivot point and the axle tube shortened to just past where the stub axle is welded in. Then between the tube and spring I have a rubber axle bump stop to add additional cushion between the tube and spring. My concern with the design has been, will the main pivot be enough to maintain proper camber and tow. Therefore, I added a guide yoke to the frame for the free end of the axle tube to maintain tow.

[fsnrod]

There's 15000 miles on that house since 2003 when the plates were added to the springs.

[toomanytoys]

i started building mine with leaf springs and changed design to this

race car coil overs and a vertical slide with uhmw guides to keep everything straight

(and i know the shock is upside down kid put it on )

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Nice! Have any more details/pics?

[toomanytoys]

all aluminum 8'inside x 16'with 4'V

7' walls and 18" vaulted ceiling

using electric 5th wheel stabilizing jacks(rated to 7000#s) to lift main part of house with hd electric standard tongue jack up front

just got it spray foamed on friday and started scraping the high spots yesterday. cant believe how much power that foam has to push stuff out

whole frame with sheeting and wheels and suspension weights in at 1550#s

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

VERY nicely done! To drop it down, do you remove the top pivot bolt on the shock? Having a tough time seeing it...

[toomanytoys]

yes pull top pin to drop it

[low277]

Very Nice!

[SpecialK]

You should patent that design, just saying.

[toomanytoys]

You should patent that design, just saying.

i just like people to look at my stuff and say wow never thought of doing it that way

gotta get it on the road and do the real world testing to see if im smarter than all the others

[Eric Wettschreck]

Nice looking set up!!!!

I have shop envy.

[Gordie]

Nice looking set up!!!!

I have shop envy.

+1

[eagle_3464]

Where can one pick up some coil overs like those for a reasonable price?

I like the design but one thing I would consider is to narrow the gap at the top pin. The wide unsupported length of the pin will reduce the load capabilities of the pin.

What about two axles on the same beam? Won't your hitch position make a big difference on how the load is transferred to each axle? Also going over terain such as a curb will transfer the load all to one axle or the other. Normally on a twin axle they are allowed to articulate individually to evenly transfer the load. Just some things there to think about. If I can find some coil overs at a price that doesn't break the bank I may use your idea on a single axle when I build a wheel house.

[Eric_Kruger]

I would definitely build some sort of shim for the top of that shock.....it might slide back and fourth or bend you pin.....house looks great as well!

[KNIGHT]

toomany toys I was wondering if I could stop by and check out your house? I like in Otsego...

i just like people to look at my stuff and say wow never thought of doing it that way

gotta get it on the road and do the real world testing to see if im smarter than all the others

[toomanytoys]

i already have the shims for the top pin built they are just not installed yet