Another lesson learned ....

[pjpvi]

This Sportsmobile just keeps making me smarter .....

So, was doing a rear brake job this weekend when I noticed this ....





Clearly a sheared center pin. I was going to tackle the job myself only to find that the nuts on the inboard u-bolt where seized. Put it back together the best I could. Monday morning found a great shop that could work on it Tuesday.

They repaired it this morning. Theory is that the u-bolts loosened up, the bottom of the center pin sheared off, then the spring pack started sliding around (explains some bad noises I heard last time I was 4wheeling).

Center pin really shouldn't look like this:



I had re-torqued the u-bolts once after Deaver put them on, but I guess they should be checked more than just once in their life.

I also learned from the tech today that the fastest way to check if they are tight is to tap the u-bolt with a hammer. If you get a "ping", they are good. If you get a "thud" they need to be tightened. He did this on the remaining u-bolts and found two more lose ones.

Sure am glad I discovered this in the comfort of my own driveway instead of out in the middle of nowhere.

My goal is to continue to teach by example ....

Phil

[saline]

Holy crap!

[BroncoHauler]

I thought the Ford axle used a large, single-piece block that was welded to the axle tube.


Herb

[pjpvi]

The original SMB suspension had a lift block with integrated bump stop. That went away with the Deaver upgrade. The small block and wedge are actually bolted together with the spring pack via the center pin. Funny thing is that there is a mild wedge welded to the perch on the axle and another wedge at the bottom of the Deaver spring pack to counter oppose the angle back to neutral.

I had forgotten how flat the original springs were. Especially the front ones with a slight reverse arch. Still love the Deavers!

Here's one of my pre-Deaver photos.



Phil

[daveb]

I sure would contact Deaver about this.

[pjpvi]

I did talk with Deaver. Mostly to get the size of the center pin when I thought I was going to repair this myself.

I don't view this as a Deaver problem. I have been told by them and many others to re-torque u-bolts after putting some miles on them. I did re-torque them once, but I have now been told to keep checking them every so often until they don't loosen up (Then I will still probably check them). I've been twisting my suspension pretty well the last few trips out while probably loaded to somewhere around 11,500lbs. Combined with loose u-bolts, I am not suprised by the failure ..... freaked out by it, but not suprised.

Phil