In a message dated 2/28/99 4:51:26 PM Pacific Standard Time, laifman@flash.net
writes:
<< Next question: Can you really tighten it enough to prevent
sliding on the leaf spring? What keeps the clamp from
sliding on the leaf spring on high torque applications?
How does it return? Should it slide?
If it's clamped hard enough, does it distort the leaf
spring., causing premature failure (hard to get new
springs).
Does the continual flexing fatigue that leaf spring?
Of course the weld-on type is unequal length with the spring
arc, which causes it's own problems, but the front weld can
be cured with a doubler.
Your thoughts?
Steve >>
Steve-
I'll give your questions my best shot, but as you probably know by my other
posts to this list, I'm kind of a seat of the pants guy; i.e. no engineering
expertise.
Anyhow, the front clamps are just tight enough to keep them from rattling.
Mine don't seem to move around at all, at least that I can see by inspecting
them. I have never considered fatigue of the leaf, but I run two primary leafs
(a crude way of stiffening the rear springs) and don't see that as a real
possibility. I'm not sure how to account for the lack of fore/aft movement, it
would seem that either the clamps are tight enough to prevent it or maybe with
my stiffer spring set-up (with the back of the leaf pack unclamped, which I
copied from the old Mopar "Super Stock" springs) the pinion angle doesn't
change much. After 6 years of use, including lots of autocrosses and track
work, I haven't encountered any problems.
Now a question for you: Were the Jag/Salisbury posi's labeled "PowrLock"? Or
was that a Spicer term? I was trying to remember when I responded to the
original question. I do know that when I got my posi, it was NOS Rootes, still
in the box. I just can't remember who made it or what it was called...I do
know I got stabbed, paying $350 for the piece!
Mike
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