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Rear suspension fix or upgrade

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 12:10 pm
by Hilux Heap
Morning all,
Just a few questions with regards to the rear suspension. I saw that the rear end of the bakkie 'hangs' a bit. I know I need to replace the load box rubbers (no1), then I want to re-tension the rear blades.

- Where (besides Agents) can I buy load box rubbers and how do distinguish between import and local box? (price of rubbers if possible)
- What do you guys recommend, Poly bushes or rubber bushes with greaseable shackles?
- Standard shackles or extended shackles (40mm).
- When I do extend the shackles, which shocks to I fit?

The current prices I got are as follows (are they reasonable):
Tension: R 350 per pack
Extended Shackles (40mm): R 340 each
Rubber bushes: R 15 each
Single metal casing bush: R 45 each

Thanks for the help

Re: Rear suspension fix or upgrade

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 12:40 pm
by Sifu-Lux
Hi Andre, as far as the rear spring leaf packs go, retensioning does not last and is a waste of your money. Rather shop around and get a new set of springs.
The question then is whether you now replace the fronts to match as well. If your fronts are looking inverted a bit, you need to fix the spring saddles on the axle first
to flatten them out. They bend/collapse over time.

All depends on your budget. I have been running the OME setup (springs/shocks/greasable shackles etc) for 12 years with no issues. Works really well on the SFA Hilux.

Re: Rear suspension fix or upgrade

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 1:00 pm
by Hilux Heap
Thanks Andrew. The front packs seem to be ok. 4 blade pack and they are basically flat (slight upwards bent). Where would be the best place to start looking for a new set of rear packs?

Re: Rear suspension fix or upgrade

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 2:09 pm
by Mud Dog
I have to agree with Andrew. "Re-tensioning" is a waste of time and money and the packs are buggered afterwards. Best is to reshape them with a cold process in a press.

I have a full OEM set that you can have for R1K, but you would have to arrange for transport. Took them out of my '90 model when I replaced them with OME. Only thing wrong with them was that the front packs were sagging as they all do over time but the back ones were good. Now they have gathered some rust from moisture where they were stored and if you're interested, I would suggest splitting the packs, cleaning the blades and replacing the clamps and centre bolt with the reassembly.

Re: Rear suspension fix or upgrade

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 2:12 pm
by Hilux Heap
Thanks Andy. Will see if I can make a plan with transport. If you get them sold in the mean time do so. Will be in touch.

Re: Rear suspension fix or upgrade

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 2:21 pm
by Mud Dog
Have a look at this topic. I re-shaped (cold press) one of my front leaf packs almost 5 years ago. Since then it has gone through some rough treatment and has settled back very little since then.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=28052&p=331721&hili ... ss#p331721

P.S.
This was not an OEM pack, but Dobinson's (would have preferred Old Man Emu, but that's what was in the vehicle when I bought it).