[BDS]

Well...Last night while installing my new tires and wheels on my wifes Excursion I noticed one of my 8" Donahoe Racing rear springs is broke. It's the bottom four leafs in the pack and they really aren't "walking" apart yet but they are deffinately busted. Now I don't tow a house with this thing or sled pull every chance I get...It's basically my wifes grocerey getter. I do tow a camper but it only weighs 7k and I have not towed it since last season and 5k miles ago they where not broke.

U-bolts are tight, Rear is shimmed 4* for pinion angle, I built torque arms so I have no axle wrap, and it's lived a pampered life /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif

Has anybody experienced this with their springs?
I'm calling Donahoe today for the warranty...

Thanks,
Brent.

 

[Overkill]

Brent,

I've sold several hundred of these springs and never seen or even heard of such an issue. When and where did you purchase those springs and please describe the torque arms you are using. Thanks

 

[BDS]

I bought the lift kit from a dealer here in south eastern Pa back in Sep 04'. I installed the 7" excursion lift kit...Basically it's 6" but on the Ex Donahoe called it a 7" kit. I installed the 8" rear springs and eliminated the rear blocks. The torque arms are a copy of basically every torque arm out there... they have no shackle pivot in the front mounting location like the fabtechs and others. They are straight round bars 1.5" inside diameter with another smaller bar slid inside and "rose-bud" welded all along the bars themselves. They are approx 6'-6.5' long with heims joints at both ends.

I hope I explained it OK to you...I understand that the Super Duty rear suspension needs to travel forward as the suspension compresses or the suspension will bind. So with my torque arm design being the non-travel type...binding most likely is going on back there. I just don't understand how my set-up breaks and others don't /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif

Brent.

 

[BDS]

I will post some pics of the torque arms and of the broken springs.

Brent.

 

[BDS]

I called them yesturday and had to leave a message....Hopefully I will here something from them today sometime.

Brent.

 

[caryt]

IMO its you traction arms that are the reason you cracked a leaf. You must allow for the axel movement.

Cary

 

[Overkill]

Correct, as the springs compress they deflect rearward due to the arch of the main leaf. If the traction bars do not allow for this deflection this creates a sheer point at the axle pad. I believe it is possible that the u-bolts on that side may have loosened and allowed for some hammering back and forth. This will be evident if the center pin is broken or bent when the rear is disassembled.

PM me with a number where you can be reached I will contact DR and insure that they contact you.

 

[BDS]

Cary and Overkill...I understand what you are saying about the torque arms being the reason. But not everyone in running the Fabtechs or WAY over priced ORU torque arms that allow the axle to move freely and still stop axle wrap...I guess it's just my crappy luck my bars broke my spring... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

I'm glad no one took my post wrong and figured I was trying to flame Donahoe Racing (Deaver springs). I was just trying to see if anyone else has had my luck.

Overkill...PM sent.

What torque arms do you suggest I run...Fabtechs?

Brent.

 

[caryt]

Not by me, I have seen them have repeated problems granted the truck has a 12" lift and 40". I would recommend Rize..killer but $$ worth every cent.

IMO, Cary