Spring Re-Arching Information

[irbob]

I looked into re-arching my springs today and here is what I found out. This is with a 3" lift put in them.

Place: Southwest Spring, Tucson, AZ

Price: $399.00 for 4 springs. You have to remove and install.

What they do: Re-arch +3", install new leaf pads and center bolt, add one 1/4" leaf to each.

Time: 1-2 day turn around. Not bad. Said 1 day if informed in advence when your going to drop them off.

What may be needed: Mounting bushings depending on the condition at $65-85.00 for complete set.

My question to you is: Does anyone have any knowledge about re-arching springs and how good of a deal this would be. If at all. They said that with a 3" leaf lift the drive shaft ankle wouldn't need to be corrected. What do you think fellow FSJeepers? Any help is greatly appreciated.

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My Home Page (http://www.angelfire.com/az/irbob/homepage.html)
83 Wagoneer Brougham, AMC 360, Chrysler 999 Auto, NP 229 Txfr, F/Diff Dana 44F, R/Diff AMC 8 7/8", 31X10.5 Pathfinder, Rancho RS 9000's.

[porkchop]

WOW! That seems like allot to me. I believe that there is a place here in Yuma that is cheaper. There name is American Springs and their # is 520-376-0388. They told me they would do all that for $70 dolars a spring. Give them a call. It is further away but it might be allot cheaper. If not, well I was trying to help.

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'67 Wagoneer
'79 Cherokee Chief
Swapping parts so I will let you know the stats when I am done.

"I regret that I have but only one paycheck to give to my Jeeps."

[bignblue]

I looked into this also, and from the three or four shops I talked to it's not all it's cracked up to be. First off, the price you were quoted is WAY high. Secondly, the arch doesn't last that long: six to 12 months from what I understand. With ESPO selling new springs for about $350 all around I'd say buy new. That's what I'm doing.

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'78 Chero WT
401/4bbl/TH400/QT
44s F&R
"Jeep: the toughest 4-letter word on wheels"

[lrrh]

Agreed. I've heard only horror stories about re-arching springs. With a new set so cheap, there's NO reason not to.

_LRRH_

[irbob]

Ok, but can you get a new set with a 3" lift for cheaper?

[Rande]

There is a couple different ways to re-arch. The cheap way is to simply re-curve them cold. This is done by putting them through a roller arrangement that re-curves them. This method is fast and cheap. The springs will return to their sagging condition in less than a year, generally. The proper method is to heat them, re-curve them, then re-heat treat them to restore the proper spring-steel qualities. this is time consuming and costly. This may be the reason for the high price. Ask them how they do their re-arching. The heat treating method will give you springs of the original strength and quality...but at a price. Cold re-curving will give you the lift for cheap but won't last. Always ask about their methods.

[wcollier]

At $300-$480 to re-arch, it's a much wiser investment to do a new lift kit IMHO. For that 3", just go with the Rough Country kit and get ALL new stuff... for about $520 + shipping. I think you'll be happier. I was faced with the same decsion recently, and went with the kit.



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Will Collier
Austin Four Wheelers / TMTC
1988 Grand Wagoneer "Woodless"
EMT-I / KB5WRK
http://collier.rockcrawler.com

[irbob]

I checked on the process used to re-arch the springs. They cold-bend them. With installing a new leaf they said that they would be good for another 10-15 years depending on use and they guarantee the work for a year from sagging. Any thoughts.

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My Home Page (http://www.angelfire.com/az/irbob/homepage.html) IFSJA Sticker (http://www.angelfire.com/az/irbob/sticker.html)
83 Wagoneer Brougham, AMC 360, Chrysler 999 Auto, NP 229 Txfr, F/Diff Dana 44F, R/Diff AMC 8 7/8", 31X10.5 Pathfinder's, Rancho RS 9000's, 2" rear blocks.

[This message has been edited by irbob (edited July 02, 2000).]

[Bernie]

I had the springs in my 70 Wagoneer re-arched 4 years ago, they used the heat treating method. It cost me $45 each. I've got a plow hanging off the front and I have had no problems at all. I'm going to do my 86 very soon I was quoted $60 each to re-arch and if I wanted an extra leaf it would just be the price of the leaf more.

[wcollier]

Wow. My 30th post. I'd like to thank the Academy...

Well, my thoughts were still posted above.

But, In addition, I think you're nuts http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~zeimet/ubb/biggrin.gif if you go with a re-arch when comparing the prices between that and a new lift kit. I've never been a big fan of slapping an add-a-leaf on and expecting great things. I think you'll get better performance for that extra change you throw at it. (And you get new shocks!)

My .02.


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Will Collier
Austin Four Wheelers / TMTC
1988 Grand Wagoneer "Woodless"
EMT-I / KB5WRK
http://collier.rockcrawler.com

[irbob]

I guess I need to look into some lift kits. I don't need the shocks though. My Rancho 9000's are only 9 months old and will handle a 3" lift. Thanks for the info.

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My Home Page (http://www.angelfire.com/az/irbob/homepage.html) IFSJA Sticker (http://www.angelfire.com/az/irbob/sticker.html)
83 Wagoneer Brougham, AMC 360, Chrysler 999 Auto, NP 229 Txfr, F/Diff Dana 44F, R/Diff AMC 8 7/8", 31X10.5 Pathfinder's, Rancho RS 9000's, 2" rear blocks.

[irbob]

Well now that I did all the hair pulling over springs it looks like I will end up doing a body lift for now. At less than $100.00 I can cure the tire rubbing in the wheel well problem and spend the rest of the would be spring money on replacing the transmission in my wife’s Park Avenue.

So now what you ask? Well could I get your humble opinions on the body lifts? Performance Accessories and Trail Master have them here: Ummmb...Body Lifts (http://www.4wheelparts.com/category.asp?cat=BOD&id=S5E94C65B4S92GBE00AKHLV8E3BK2G36)
Do you know of any others? Maybe I should just lift the Buick and take it Elk hunting this year. It may be less time consuming. TIA

Don't forget to show your pride in being a part of this forum. Order a Sticker by following the link below in my signature.

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My Home Page (http://www.angelfire.com/az/irbob/homepage.html) IFSJA Sticker (http://www.angelfire.com/az/irbob/sticker.html)
83 Wagoneer Brougham, AMC 360, Chrysler 999 Auto, NP 229 Txfr, F/Diff Dana 44F, R/Diff AMC 8 7/8", 31X10.5 Pathfinder's, Rancho RS 9000's, 2" rear blocks.

[This message has been edited by irbob (edited August 11, 2000).]