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Broken Leaf Spring Emergency Repair

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  • YJ: Broken Leaf Spring Emergency Repair

    On our recent trip to Sedona AZ, on the Broken Arrow trail, I broke the driver side leaf spring coming down the staircase:



    It seemed to hold together so I drove it back to my motel. Next store was an Orielly's Autoparts store. so I purchased a Helper Spring kit:


    I jacked the jeep up so the spring was streched:


    Blocked the rear tires and set the e-brake first:


    I used the u-bolts in the kit to clamp the springs together:


    In the bag of goodies Mitch gave me with the Jeep was a a spare pair of shackles and a bunch of bolts. I bolted the shackle as a clamp behind the two u-bolts. I didn't take a photo of it though. After I replace the spring pack, I may keep the up bolts in the Jeep if I ever have to make another repair like this. Hopefull not!

    I drove the Jeep all the way home to Californa with no problems.
    Last edited by Roger; 05-17-11, 10:52 AM.
    SBCO Fire Dept. CERT volunteer
    MJR moderator
    MJR Adopt-a-Trail Crew member
    Jeep Patrol Leader
    Reforestation Supervisor
    Licensed Ham - n6ujm
    Eagle Scout

  • #2
    Congratulations on the fix. Glad to hear you're safe.
    God forgives, rocks don't
    -sons of thunder

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    • #3
      quick thinking. i dont know what i would have done. i can honestly say i have never seen a leaf break until now. congrats roger youre my first.

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      • #4
        Solid road fix. I probably would've tried to use zip ties and duct tape to fix it.
        It was like that when I got here.

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        • #5
          I have used duct tape when the bottom leaf decided to go it's own way I probably would have used the tape for your fix as well. Well, at least to limp to the parts store. Good find Roger. That almost seems like a good trail bag goodie for leaf sprung jeeps.

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          • #6
            I have broken two leafs on my buggy. One in the front and another on the back. I carry welding cables and have been able to repair both on the trail. In addition to welding the broken section, I used hose clamps to hold the leaves together. After seeing what Roger used, I think I am going to make two plates with four bolt holes for the next time.
            Rich

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            • #7
              Jason, you're right about trail bag goodies for leaf springs. I'm going to keep them with me.

              Rich, I can tell you that there is a lot of tension there so I suggest grade 8 bolts and lock washers
              SBCO Fire Dept. CERT volunteer
              MJR moderator
              MJR Adopt-a-Trail Crew member
              Jeep Patrol Leader
              Reforestation Supervisor
              Licensed Ham - n6ujm
              Eagle Scout

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              • #8
                That's a nice fix when you can get the parts store... When I broke the same spring on my YJ I took an axe to a hunk of wood, shaped it to fit, jacked up the jeep, ratchet strapped it inbetween the axle and the frame and drove home solid. I miss those jeepin adventures...
                :gun: my rifle is not illegal, it's just undocumented... :gun:

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Kodiak Spirit View Post
                  That's a nice fix when you can get the parts store... When I broke the same spring on my YJ I took an axe to a hunk of wood, shaped it to fit, jacked up the jeep, ratchet strapped it inbetween the axle and the frame and drove home solid. I miss those jeepin adventures...
                  They miss you too.
                  God forgives, rocks don't
                  -sons of thunder

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Kodiak Spirit View Post
                    That's a nice fix when you can get the parts store... When I broke the same spring on my YJ I took an axe to a hunk of wood, shaped it to fit, jacked up the jeep, ratchet strapped it inbetween the axle and the frame and drove home solid. I miss those jeepin adventures...
                    Like this? (this happened to a trailer (with 40" wheels) while on the Bradshaw Trail, which is a long way from anywhere....

                    Off road adventure photography:

                    TreadLightly Trainer
                    Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
                    HAM - KI6PFO

                    2005 Rubicon Unlimited + trailer

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                    • #11
                      That is one slick trail/driveway fix Roger. I'll have to put something like this in the "must take" spare parts list for when I take the trailer out, you never know.
                      [COLOR="Blue"]If you don't have the time to do it right, what makes you think you'll have the time to do it twice?[/COLOR]

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                      • #12
                        yes! that looks great! Not as nice as Rogers trick, but does the job....
                        :gun: my rifle is not illegal, it's just undocumented... :gun:

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