Damaged Leaf Spring Hanger Bracket - Hogged Out Holes

[bulletpruf]

Fellas -

Removed the redneck* rear springs from my '69 yesterday noticed that the holes are hogged out on the frame mount where the front eye mounting bolt passes through. I'm guessing the PO removed the rear springs at some point (or at least unbolted them) and didn't torque the bolt down sufficiently when reassembled, allowing the bolt to walk around a bit, hogging out the hole.

I'm debating my options at this point, but I think I can:

1. Reassemble without repairing it for now; shouldn't get much worse if the bolt is torqued sufficiently.

2. Clean up the hole a bit and weld in a small patch of the appropriate thickness.

3. Is there another course of action here? I can't see JB Weld, duct tape, 100 mph cord or anything similar that might help.

Thanks,

Scott

*I say redneck because the PO did a homemade "add a leaf" with some leaf pieces that were cut with a torch and attached with metal bands, and before any rednecks get offended, I'm a redneck too.

 

[gr8scott]

I know some wave welded on washers of the appropriate size to fix wallowed-out holes.

 

[DirtDonk]

Very common issue on Broncos, even with never-removed stock springs. But usually not quite as bad as yours is on that inner side! Yowza, pretty big oval there. So you're probably right in your assessment of someone leaving them loose.
Or they just wore out and got rode hard after?

Anyway, only two options I see as relatively easy are both using washers. Either some extra thick type, like Grade-8 washers are, but if you can find un-coated versions that would be better than off-the-shelf cad plated Grade-8's I think.

The other is to use "weld washers" which are just for this type of thing. Companies like Ruff Stuff Specialties sell them in various sizes. They have thick flanges and shanks that extend down into the old hole as opposed to just sitting on the surface. So they give the bolt even more purchase than before.

However the correct fix in my opinion is to fill-weld and then re-drill the holes. If you still have stock spring bushings they have a serrated edge that needs that inside surface of the hanger to dig in to. The sleeve stays anchored to the hanger, and the vulcanized rubber bushings twist and flex on the sleeve. A design that actually starts this deterioration progression I believe.
But even with poly bushings and their larger shoulders, I would think that nice flat surface would help them live longer. While leaving a buggered up hole on the inside would encourage the bushings to wear prematurely.

But as gr8scott said, welding washers in place is probably the simple and quick fix.
Unless someone has started reproducing the hangers? https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/s?keyword=spring+hanger

Obviously that's more work and welding than the other methods, but it's certainly a great fix!

Paul

 

[nvrstuk]

I'd go weld in washers.

I've repaired these same oval shaped leaf spring hanger holes with Gr 8 washers and it worked great with my abuse for 15 yrs. I've repaired them by welding 5/16" plate to the leaf spring hanger and drilling them for a new bolt.

Only mentioning this because my amount of wheeling and abuse means I was breaking leaf springs every 3-4 yrs and rear spring hangers yearly (seriously). Just saying this to let you know the more wear surface area between the bolt and the spring hangar the better. Weld on RuffStuff style weld on washers and call it good.

 

[Yeller]

^^^^^^^
Weld washers are fairly easy and a good fix. Brian was just faster than me. Those sloppy holes will negatively affect handling too.

 

[bulletpruf]

Ok, I got some 5/8" weld washers on order from Ruff Stuff.

Thanks for all the input, I really appreciate it.

Scott

 

[nvrstuk]

Brian was only faster because paint I'm sure is peeling off the sides of the houses here in the Valley with a high of 114 just a couple hrs awayk, meaning he is not working outside other than moving irrigation wheel lines and other water lines.

Doing bookwork and of course the CB list is in the background... lol

Stay cool everyone.

I don't know how people can ever live where you get used to burning your hands when you grab the door handle or never getting to lean against your car with some bare skin and not get 2nd degree burns... ugly hot... no bare elbow sticking out the window of the door when cruising??? sacriledge

 

[Yeller]

Your crazy hot and we’re unseasonably cool. Only made it to 80 today but it rains every couple of hours, really mucking things up quite literally.