Add-a-Leaf Helper Springs... Questions!

[dumb lady]

Hi fellas!
We are putting in Overland Vans helper springs today.
We have one of the springs on the van apart.
Both Dean & the instructions say to discard the foil shims between the leafs. Are they talking about these sheet metal shims here? There are a set of 2 between each.
Because, they sure don't look like 'foil' to us. And if they are to be left out, won't the springs then ride on each other?
Would that be bad? Are we supposed to put some back?
We are assuming they need to be out to fit the added leaf in. Just wanna make sure it's alright.
Thanks muchly for the help!

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Yeah Chrissy, remove those "foil" shims and add some grease or anti-seize between the leafs.

[dumb lady]

Thanks so much Dean!!! Sorry I just sent you a PM. Thanks for your infinite patience with us!

[dunedog]

So DL whats the verdict? Those springs stiffened the rear pretty good

[dumb lady]

Not even nearly done Mr dunedog. Still have to do the other side. We are also putting in new KYB gas adjust shocks all around. These were highly recommended to us by Mr SoCalli. (THANKS DARREN!!!)

Also got new tires 2 wks ago. The old ones were bald-a$$ed pretty bad so this immediately made a huge difference in the handling & ride. I think the ride will be much much much different before all this is over. As long as my stereo doesn't skip, I should be fine with it.
Mr D/L is also scaling some of the rust off the undercarriage & painting it up a little. Not making a huge deal out of it at this point, but the existing rust scale tends to hold moisture here in the swamplands, causing more rust.
I am helping Mr D/L with all this but I have to keep running in & out of the house to check on Mom. But I'm so tickled it's getting done. Working on cars is not Mr D/L's favorite thing in the world, if ya know what I mean.


I'll report as things develop. But all this may take a few days.

[dunedog]

Sounds good DL,
I have KYB monomax and have been very happy with them (40,000 miles).
Yes,I understand about the moisture issues of FL. Florida has its own set of problems with salt.
On the first spring you have done however,how was the length of the new spring? I had to cut an inch off the end because it was running long and hitting the shoulder of the carrying spring. If you have any doubts as to what I am talking about ,I'll send a pic.
Something else that may or may not have been done are the idler arms. If they are the origionals put it on your list of 'to do's'.
Glad to hear the van is getting some attention. And you'll be glad to know it's been about a week now since anyone has seen the sun up hear with days of rain and snow.... winter in NE.
Later, Dune

[dumb lady]

Hi Mr dunedog,
Thanks for all the tips.
Yes the leaf was a hair too long & had to be cut. He had to take off about 1/4" (not including the 'kerf') That's the dust that falls away in the cut. (I learn something new every day!)



He used the grinder in the pic to cut it. The holes are drilled a tiny bit off center on both leafs. (This is the other leaf. I took the second pic this morning)
The leaf he put in is a wee bit tight, but not hitting the shoulder. He told me it'll be fine & not to worry. But if it's somehow bad he's gonna try to cut it in place using a ship-fitting wedge & the grinder. We shall see how it works out.

He's out there right now taking the other spring apart. I ran out & grabbed a few more pics.




Woops, here's the done one in place...


We've re-done the idler arms many times. I think 3x on the pass side & 2x driver side. I'm happy to hear you like your shocks. I hope we'll be getting all of mine in today.

Shoot, I'm running late! I have to go to church now & then feed Mom lunch. After that, I'll be out there helping again.
Gotta go.

[WVKayaker]

Great pics DL!

[dumb lady]

Thanks Mr Kayaker!

MrDune, he's got the other one clamped together now & is having second thoughts about not cutting enough off the first one.
Did you have to re-drill the holes on yours?

Shoot, I am gonna be so late!

[peter]

I dunno why you even bother with church. Your soul is soooo past the point of redemption at this point

[dumb lady]

I know. I know. It's true. ...I'm so conflicted.

And JAYPERS, Peter!!! Now I know exactly how people felt when I made stupid posts in relevant topics!

[dumb lady]

Ok VAN is done for now, though the front shocks aren't in yet.
The rear is all completely done & back together. We took it for a quickie test drive.
Unfortunately me & Mr Carlo Rossi were already heavily involved.
I was bombed, so Mr D/L drove.
The roads are all smooth here in Florida & truthfully, I felt no difference.

So, we went into a shopping center parking lot with speed bumps. Mr D/L went over them too quickly & the front end banged a lot harder than the rear. I told him to try it again slow (because I don't usually drive like an idiot) & so I can tell. The rear felt a whole lot smoother than the front was going over. And he thinks so too.

The new shocks must be compensating for the added leaf. Or the the old shocks were a lot crappier than I even thought. When he does the front shocks I'm sure it'll feel all different again.
After we got back, we had our lean & mean low-fat Sunday BBQ.
Turkey burgers, spizy hot chicken wing drumettes, coleslaw, fennel dijon potatoes, & misc pickled goodies.

And, I really, really, really really REALLY like how my van looks now.
So, I'm a happy lady tonight.

[SoCalli V8]

That is a BEAUTIFUL Looking Table right there......

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Awesome looking van! And what is all that green stuff on the ground? You guys get some weird looking snow!

[dumb lady]

That's Flodah Snow Dean!
Thanks for the compliments!

Darren, I forgot to post the cooking pic for you: