spring dimensions

I am trying to track down spring dimensions to see if mine need to be rearched before I put them back together.

Length is measured eye to eye (center of), stack height I'm assuming would be the thickness of the leaves measured at the centering bolt. (but that measurement doesn't make any sense since it wouldn't change appreciably and there are different leaf packages.) Maybe someone else has the definitive answer to that.

The down side of new springs are the appearance doesn't match the originals. The originals had tapered springs whereas the new ones have the modern "rounded" edges. Kinda depends on the look you're going for. Plus I've seen some "new" springs that once they're installed, they appear really flat, almost look like original worn out springs. I got some new ones from Ron Fitzpatrick that didn't have the flat look when installed, but I've also seen others that even though new, looked completely flat when installed. Can't think of any way to tell prior to buying and installing them. (I still had original rears, which I had re-arced the proper way by an old time spring shop and they look great.)

Spring length is measured along the curve, eye center-to-center.

Design camber is how much arch is left when compressed w/the spec load weight.  If less than spec, the springs have lost some strength.

Sean

James:

Is there any way of determining the arch without mounting it to measure it?

Willys didn't specify the unloaded arch height, so no way of knowing offhand.

Could you recommend a proceedure for measurement with the springs out of the jeep?

Rig up a mounting system to replicate the frame pivot & shackle, then put the required weight on it & measure remaining arch?

I've never done it, but there's no way I know of other than putting the required load on the spring itself.

Steves data specs the heavy-duty front spring.  The standard-duty, 8-leaf, front spring is:

Leaves                              8

Length                           36 1/4"

Width                             1 3/4"

Camber load                   525 lb

Design camber                 5/16"

Sean

The third conclusion I have is you don't know what you have, until you put in on YOUR jeep!

Still exploring springs for the front of the cj.   In looking at northstar Willys, I see that the front springs (10 leaf) are the same for the cjs, wagons and  trucks (excluding cj5 .    My Manual (handy things when we read them) do show the exact same specs for 10 leaves for the cjs and trucks and wagons 4wd.  Even for the L6-226 4wd.

misterberry wrote: How is design camber measured? I know of a guy in Yuciapa ,CA that has over 50 sets of original springs (tapered type) so having the eye to eye measurement is great but I sure would like to know how to measure the design camber when I sort thru them.

Another place, w/slightly better illustrations:

Wheel alignment - a short course

Camber, caster & toe-in are all part and parcel of the steering geometry.  The CJ-2A has a degree of all 3.

Toe-in is, of course, easily adjustable by tie rods.

Caster is only adjustable by tapered shims between spring pack & perch.

Camber is fixed by the knuckle king-pin bores.  Not adjustable.

Sean