Alternative Clevis Spacers

XC204 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:09 pm

After fighting with a clevis lift last Sat nite 3 + hours and nothing acomplished I put things back together and regrouped. My problems were: Spring compressor that would not fit in the springs and was too long to be able to go on our springs. A UBJ that I knocked loose before I had the nut off.
My solutions were:To cut off some of the hook length on the $12 Harbor Freight spring compressors ,cut down the threaded rod length 3 1/2" and to forget about removing UBJ which I only did because the spring comp. wouldnt fit.

The Spacers 2 1/8" muffler clamps Advance Auto 4 @ $2.49 and 4 3 1/2" 3/8-16 bolts and nuts

Remove/loosten clevis bolt, Compress spring, prybar down between clevis and spring. Slip in the clamp 1/2's and bolts and tighten the spacers are 5/8" thick.

45 min total to do both sides on Sun.
I'll bring the tools to the Illinois Lost BBQ Sunday.

Xodius · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:25 pm

I know for the spring compressor that we used, it needed some persuasion to get out of the coils on the OME HD and some persuasion to get in on the OEM. Persuasion was a hammer. Worked great though.

You will have to keep us posted on that clevis lift. Sounds like it wold work, my concern it that it is more bolts to keep an eye on, unless you use some threadlock.

XC204 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:30 pm

Its done works fine used SS nylock nuts

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:31 pm

how much of the strut is down in the clevis now?
pictures/ measurement
also how tight did you tighten the muffler clamps onto the strut?
If too tight they could rub holes through just from movement after some time.
And why use spring compressors ?

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:31 pm

Yeah, I'm not understanding the need for spring compression myself. We separated the clevis from the strut when we installed Jayme's lift. Never needed to compress the springs.

XC204 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:52 pm

The shock body is pulled up about 3/8" from bottom of clevis was about 1/8" out of bottom. The clamps really can't move at all like tha loose fitting codduit nuts could because they are the same inside dia the shock od and are tightned around it with about 340 degrees of contact. The spring comp. is needed because I did not drop UBJ or sway bar link and it relieves the pressure so you can slide the clamp halves in.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:58 pm

Well that's some creative thinking I must say.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 5:22 pm

the rings are NOT loose fitting

but on your setup

we will see :roll:

XC204 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 5:43 pm

Unless you have to pound them on they must be a slip fit IE not gripping the shock body. The spring seat rests on mine in compression like the conduit nuts and also clamps to the shock body double wammy.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:19 pm

but they do not have to grip the body of the strut as a matter of fact you do not even need anything in there , most do it for a reference point is all, with yours its sitting up out quite a bit more than most would like to see.

but live and learn

XC204 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:47 pm

obviously its just a place holder that prevents shift and easer to install. Buginout didnt use anything I just didnt want any Illinois canyons (potholes) or the real stuff in Colarado to shift things out of wack.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:52 pm

I dont see any problems with what he used. Unless he really torqued it down, I dont believe it will hurt the shock.

I only used 2 conduit nuts with my clevis lift and didnt like bringing the shock out of the clamp anymore than that. Thats the only thing I would be worried with.

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:13 pm

I am very confused as to why you needed a spring compressor for this project.

XC204 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:43 pm

Had both sides of front end up on jack stands both wheels off, didnt disc. sway bar link or UBJ. There was still spring load on clevis would there have been more sag if only one side jacked at once?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:25 pm

I had custom made spacers made for my 3/8" clevis lift from DOM tubing,after the machining it only cost me $20 for both and a hour to be made.

XC204 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:06 pm

This was just to do an off the shelf thing that could be done by any one. Didn't mean to insult anyones "nuts" or fabs.

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:43 pm

Well, I think it's a cool alternative.

Alternative Clevis Spacers

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