broken rear leaf spring

sealica · Post by **sealica** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 1:27 pm

I have a broken rear leaf on my LH (passenger) side. It missing a 4-6" section of the middle leaf, second from the bottom of the stack. The other leaf looks to be in good condition.

I'm just wondering about my options?

-used leaf?
-spring shop replaces broken leaf?
-two new/custom built leaf springs?

sealica · Post by **sealica** » Tue Jun 13, 2017 5:28 pm

OK well I spoke with a spring shop and I'm thinking my best bet is to get the current leaf stack repaired by replacing the broken leaf spring. I wonder how far off the other leaf stack is, potentially, considering this one broke - but I guess tackle that when it comes?

Is there anything I should be checking for the ROOT cause of the broken leaf? or is it simply wear and tear from the years since 1992? I was convinced my rear shocks were blown, but the leaf is probably the cause of poor ride quality I was feeling at the back-end not so much the shocks. Spring shop said shocks don't really look blown, but I was still thinking of replacing them ...

Anything else which should be tackled when repairing a leaf spring? I coincidentally have leaf spring bushings in hand because I anticipated that may be a good improvement to make before noticing the broken leaf. But I didn't grab shackles, U-bolts, and the bushing at the rear of the vehicle was unavailable apparently so I was planning on seeking any kind of local replacements from generic suspension components available thru the shop.

I have 4 rubber bushings from Mitsubishi (where I think I count correctly 6 bushings total on the rear leaf stacks).

Anyhow probably overthinking this, but couldn't find much on the forum about broken leaf springs so I wanted to see if anyone had experience before I pursue the repair.

joebillhill · Post by **joebillhill** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 11:15 am

I have also noticed a broken leaf on my Delica. What route did you end up taking sealica? Just replaced the single spring or did you get the other stack involved too.
I know they sell the rear bushings at napa but haven't found a parts number for the front of the spring. Did you happen to replace them? Also did you grab shackles or U bolts?

Lapprentis · Post by **Lapprentis** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 7:05 am

When I asked for unbenting my real leaf springs, one of it broke: I ended up with two new/custom built leaf spring sets ! My stock leafspring had some kind of a groove on it and if any rust/fatigue will become a weakpoint and break if stressed

Lapprentis

joebillhill · Post by **joebillhill** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 11:48 am

Interesting about that groove in the spring. How does that even happen? I found a shop that will fix the leaf when I bring in the stack and have bushings on their way. Just have to pony up and get that spring out. Hopefully everything goes well enough. Van work in the soggy PNW winter... Woo boy

Lapprentis · Post by **Lapprentis** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 1:43 pm

That groove was "stock" from original Mitsubishi Leafspring (mine is 1990) Cannot confirme if it was factiry molded or wearing marks...

Overtime, it become a weapoint

Lapprentis

sealica · Post by **sealica** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 3:43 pm

joebillhill wrote:I have also noticed a broken leaf on my Delica. What route did you end up taking sealica? Just replaced the single spring or did you get the other stack involved too.
I know they sell the rear bushings at napa but haven't found a parts number for the front of the spring. Did you happen to replace them? Also did you grab shackles or U bolts?

I ended up just replacing the single spring, and provided the mitsubishi bushings for the shop to throw in. I think they replaced the U-bolt, but not the shackle. It's been running fine for the last ~4000km (need to do an oil change, but soooo wet out there !!)