[cHUcHU]

jason,

Welcome to the world of truck driving...

For the record, I drive a double cab pick-up with a light rear end, and
yes it is leaf sprung. It rides firm, jiggly and rattles my kidneys out,
but I like the way a truck rides, ever sat in an unladen 5000kg truck -
Mitsubishi Canter, Hicom Perkasa and the like ?

About the rear leaf spring suspension of yours, there are many factors
contributing to the stiff ride. Make sure the shock absorbers are not the
heavy-duty ones. If you do not tow or carry heavy loads, OEM shockies are
the way to go.

Secondly, are your tires old and age harden ? Try replacing them with
Highway-rated rubbers. Not All-Terrain or even Mud Terrain types.

Next, is to try servicing the rear leaf spring set. Leaf springs are
known to rust and squeek and then give a stiff ride. Furthermore they are
not seperated with teflon pads, the leaves actually rusted and welded
together, Not the case with newer designs (peek into Mazda Fighters/Ford
Rangers` rear springs) and you will know what I mean.

Removing some of the leaves will create a "sagging butt" phenomenon.

Try replacing them with a mono leaf spring (parabolic leaf spring) and
you will be happier then.

If all fails, just live with it because it will never ride like a Harrier
240G Premium L package

My 0.02 sen..

[jasondotcom]

okie chuchu....i think ur the person that can help me. im gonna upload a
pic of my rear stock springs...and also its shockies. i have sprayed it
with WD40 days ago.....so it looks kinda oily or damp. upload tomorrow.

[cHUcHU]

jason,

keep 'em coming, for all the forummers' benefit.

Will give my 0.02 sen of view

[jasondotcom]

oh man, i totally forgotten about the pic of the spring im supposed to
post! paiseh paiseh!


anyway, i got a price from a mech, 60-70 buks. he says that i can soften it
by removing one piece of leaf spring on each side. the spring piece AFTER
the overload spring at the bottom. he says that would definitely makes it
softer...just right.

that means, from a 5 leaf spring on each side to 4 leaves on each side.

funny, how come i read the specs from a site about my car....it says only 4
leaf springs, whereas i see quite a few models like mine is on 5 leafs?

[jasondotcom]

www.geocities.com/nhaixin69

see the leaves.... should i remove the last one, the thickest one at the
bottom? OR according to the mech.... to remove the 2nd last leaf, the one
just on top of the thickest leaf.


someone help to comment pls! thank you!

[cHUcHU]

jason,

First of all, I must say that is the cleanest used LO047 I have ever
seen, including the undercarriage.

Your mechanic is spot-on.

Leave the overload spring alone, as they serve as "axle wrap" eliminator.

This condition will weaken and break all the spring leaves if left to
happen.

My 0.02 sen is that the 2nd leaf on top of the overload spring must be
removed.

That leaf looks like an add-on by the previous owner. It has lots of arch
and the teflon slider is gone. This is the leaf that gave you the bone-
jarring ride.

Other leaves looks OK to me and they seem to have lots of life to it.

[jasondotcom]

"jason,

First of all, I must say that is the cleanest used LO047 I have ever
seen, including the undercarriage.

Your mechanic is spot-on.

Leave the overload spring alone, as they serve as "axle wrap" eliminator.

This condition will weaken and break all the spring leaves if left to
happen.

My 0.02 sen is that the 2nd leaf on top of the overload spring must be
removed.

That leaf looks like an add-on by the previous owner. It has lots of arch
and the teflon slider is gone. This is the leaf that gave you the bone-
jarring ride.

Other leaves looks OK to me and they seem to have lots of life to it.
---------------
--Don't go through life, grow through life-- Eric Butterworth"



*************


when u say "Leave the overload spring alone, as they serve as "axle wrap"
eliminator.

This condition will weaken and break all the spring leaves if left to
happen."

meaning taht the overload spring SHOULD NOT be removed rite?

well, i always wash the car thoroughly....including the under carriage.

so confirm with me again is it to remove the leave on top of the overload
spring rite? u ever done this before on the model like mine?

thanks!

[cHUcHU]

Jason,

Leave the most bottom leaf alone and you can do no wrong.

Cheers.