D40 leaf springs

benatkinson92 · Jul 11, 2017

The other day i fitted two new leaf springs that i got from milners, and today i have noticed a.lottle jangling noise as i was driving. Anyway, turns out there is a little buckle type thing that has come loose, i dont know what its called.. there is a picture below. im pretty sure its just to keep the leafs from spinning on themselves? Now i think it should come weled onto the bottom leaf? As one side has completely come loose, and other is loose but still in place.
So question is, am i meant to take it off after installation? Or is it meant to stay put? And if it is meant to stay, coul i weld the underneath? Or should i try to get them replaced?

Any help much appreciated as always

Cheers

gfromleeds · Jul 11, 2017

Its dark now so cant check on mine but did your old spring have these?

benatkinson92 · Jul 11, 2017

gfromleeds said:
Its dark now so cant check on mine but did your old spring have these?

Yeah they had them aswell..

Uselescrapytwit · Jul 11, 2017

Oops I think the rivet should be in the hole to locate and fix the retainer to the spring set.
In my mind you have two choices. Contact Milner and get a replacement do the labour again or
Remove the rivet and move the retainer back to the position and bolt through the hole to keep it in place use a coach bolt so the head isn't proud and then do the other side as well to keep it the same.

Uselescrapytwit · Jul 11, 2017

Do not weld as the heat will kill the spring steels characteristics.

steveoborne · Jul 12, 2017

i was looking at replacing my rear leaf springs, was it an easy job to fit new ones

benatkinson92 · Jul 12, 2017

Ah thats a good point about the heat i didnt think of that.. i will have to contact them and see what they can do as i shouldnt have to go through all that.

Yes to be honest i am no mecanic, and i only had socket set, breaker bar and a few wire brushes out for this job.. oh and a decent jack with jack stands. i would deffinately take your time to read through a few 'how to' threads just to be sure of the process, and take your time to do the job. It took me about three hours, and i stopped for some dinner..

benatkinson92 · Jul 12, 2017

Ok so today i rang milners and they told me that basically its not needed.. which i find hard to believe because they wouldnt have put it there in the first place, im pretty sure its to keep the bottom leaf in line with the top three, to stop twisting..?? Hopefully somebody can tell me if thats true or if not what it is actually for.

I dont know if i should ask to return them and go elsewhere.. what do you guys think?

freemansteve · Jul 12, 2017

Leaf springs are too ancient for me to have any real knowledge, BUT the one in pic does not look right. I think the shackle is, as you say, meant to stop lateral movement of individual springs.

The shackle-thing is clearly meant to locate where the hole is in the lower leaf, and it has to be a secure fit there, else when the springs flex, it'll obviously come loose.

I would not be happy.

17743 · Jul 12, 2017

I would ask for a warranty replacement with some freebies like a servicing kit EG for your trouble if they dont want that then get a refund

landmannnn · Jul 12, 2017

They are called Rebound Clips, generally preventing axle tramp.

Often they are just strips of metal, sometimes riveted in place.

It looks like the rivet has pulled out of the spring. You should be able, with some bits of metal, to get the rivet back in the spring and using a big hammer get it wedged back in. After market leafs can be bit crudely made.

benatkinson92 · Jul 12, 2017

landmannnn said:
They are called Rebound Clips, generally preventing axle tramp.

Often they are just strips of metal, sometimes riveted in place.

It looks like the rivet has pulled out of the spring. You should be able, with some bits of metal, to get the rivet back in the spring and using a big hammer get it wedged back in. After market leafs can be bit crudely made.

Well, i have managed to get it back in place a few times, without jacking her up, (and with a bit of weight in the back) they flatten enough to slide the rebound clip back into place, and i have tapped it back into place but as soon as i jack up a tad, or drive over a few bumps or whatever it comes loose again.. and other side is loose aswell.. i dont know if it would be best to get a refund and buy some better quality ones or to just take it off and hope for the best?

landmannnn · Jul 12, 2017

They are normally fixed by squashing the rivet in a big press, you could do the same with a ver big hammer, but would have to dismantle the spring.

I think they are necessary, so I would go back to Milners again.

benatkinson92 · Jul 13, 2017

Been back on the phone to them today, the guy said that i could dismantle them and do exactly what you said to do landmannn.. but i said i shouldnt have to do so and that i dont really want a replacement because they could be faulty again, i have lost trust in them i must admit.. and he even said that it could possibly happen again if i get some from the same batch! I couldnt believe it... so anyways, we both agrred that i would get myself a new set elsewhere and once i have removed them they can come and collect them.
So, i have been on the phone to jones springs who didnt have much good to say about milners and blamed it on the fact that they import everything.. which to be honest, i bought an exhaust back box of them a while back and it has been fine.. but anyway i am buying an upgraded set, with an extra leaf and wasnt a bad price at all so i will just have to bite the bullet and spend another day fitting them ones..

Anyone have any experience with jones springs? I have read up a littlr bit about them and seem a good company, make their own products in the uk. He said they have their own gernus and stuff and everything is made bu themselves so.. quality should be there..

Also, how much extra height would she gain by having an extra leaf?? Not expecting much..just curious..

17743 · Jul 13, 2017

depends what the extra leaf is for it could be standard height but stiffer or lower spring rate but have more of a curve to compensate for the extra leaf

benatkinson92 · Jul 13, 2017

Its a 4+1 HD instead of a standard 3+1, a bit more heavy duty, i am presuming thats to carry a bit more weight. I hope so anyway as thats my understanding of it?

landmannnn · Jul 13, 2017

Having owned Series Landies I have a fair amount of experience with leafs.

As i said, the lower price stuff is a problem, however the bigger problem is poor tempering which fairly quickly results in a lean to one side or the other. I can be pretty sure that would be situation within a few months. Most of Milners stuff is indeed Chinese so quality can be a bit lower than original equipment but not bargain basement ebay stuff. I would imagine they are buying on terms which mean returns are at Milner's risk.

From memory Jones Springs are OK. The different number of leafs (or should it be leaves?) is more around the tensile strength than heavier duty. You don't want heavy duty by the way, the V6 is higher rated than the 2.5 and is annoyingly harsh in comparison.

benatkinson92 · Jul 13, 2017

I dont really want heavy duty because of that very reason, a hard and harsh set up.. but an extra leaf should be fine i think. I have a sports back on and i always have a jack, jack stands, sockets and high vis jacket in a box in the back at all times, and spare wheel.. so it all adds up to a little bit of weight. But hopefully it should be better than standard 3+1 for me.

I have been reading up on here a lot about lifting with shackles on the back and spacers on the front struts. The only grey area for me is that.. how do i know what size spacer on the front to get to match the extended shackle on the back?

I would ideally want a 2 inch lift front and rear. I have read that it is a good height without having to do extra work.. and should fit nicely when i eventually buy some bigger tyres.

landmannnn · Jul 14, 2017

Extended shackles - 2 inch longer gives 1 inch lift.
Spacers at the front are just straight inch for inch.

benatkinson92 · Jul 14, 2017

Nice one thanks for than landmann

Can you get 4 inch longer shackles? To give 2 inch lift?

D40 leaf springs

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