Clayton Spring Help?

[rr_sontag]

Hello,
I searched a bit and didn’t find anything (may be the words I used) but I am installing Clayton 3.5” springs and they are not sitting in the center of the upper spring bucket. The driver side is sitting forward and the passenger side is sitting towards the rear. Both are around and 1/8” from contacting the bucket. I’ve pulled them out and reinstalled as well.

I have Rock Krawler correction pads on the bottom and they are seated correctly there. The upper isolator tabs are showing aligned.

Just seeing if anyone has any advice. I’ve done a few lifts before and haven’t run across this.

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[CDNGladiator]

is the a right / left for the rock krawler pad?

 

[rr_sontag]

Good thought. I didn’t see any identifying marks, it I will check.

 

[rr_sontag]

is the a right / left for the rock krawler pad?

They are not side specific.

 

[Marinertom]

Here are some pictures of mine. Just installed 2.5” diesel springs after running 2.5” for a year. A lot more bow.

@Clayton Off Road feel free to jump in.




Passenger

Driver

 

[rr_sontag]

Here are some pictures of mine. Just installed 2.5” diesel springs after running 2.5” for a year. A lot more bow.

@Clayton Off Road feel free to jump in.




Passenger

Driver

Yeah, looks just like what I’m dealing with. Always had great luck with Clayton, but this cannot be right. My wife’s 392 doesn’t look like this and I had a Mojave with Clayton 3.5” and had no issues there either. Not sure hopefully I’m missing something…

 

[Marinertom]

From What I understand springs should have some bow. The ones I took off had a little, but towards the in board of the JT. Went from 2.5” springs to 2.5” diesel springs front and 3.5” to 3.5”
Hd springs in rear. Not much change other than stiffness of spring and free length. Surprised the rock krawler correction pads did nothing. Going to reach out to Clayton and see what they say.

 

[rr_sontag]

I planned to call them as well. Are you running the factory lower pads? I read where some indexed the upper isolators to help with bowing. Not sure if that would help with the spring being off center from the bucket. It’s almost like the coil isn’t centered at the top.

Really hoping Clayton has some advice. I was switching from RK springs for the firmer Clayton springs. I guess worst case I will switch back to RK.

 

[aevgladitorrubi]

Hello,
I searched a bit and didn’t find anything (may be the words I used) but I am installing Clayton 3.5” springs and they are not sitting in the center of the upper spring bucket. The driver side is sitting forward and the passenger side is sitting towards the rear. Both are around and 1/8” from contacting the bucket. I’ve pulled them out and reinstalled as well.

I have Rock Krawler correction pads on the bottom and they are seated correctly there. The upper isolator tabs are showing aligned.

Just seeing if anyone has any advice. I’ve done a few lifts before and haven’t run across this.

Metalcloak spring seats

 

[rr_sontag]

Metalcloak spring seats

Are you suggesting we try Metalcloak seats?

 

[Marinertom]

I planned to call them as well. Are you running the factory lower pads? I read where some indexed the upper isolators to help with bowing. Not sure if that would help with the spring being off center from the bucket. It’s almost like the coil isn’t centered at the top.

Really hoping Clayton has some advice. I was switching from RK springs for the firmer Clayton springs. I guess worst case I will switch back to RK.

That is correct running factory lower pads. Have about 30k miles on them. From what I can tell from the install no issues. Seem to be in good shape to me.

 

[rr_sontag]

Talked with Clayton this morning. It’s hard to diagnose over the phone, so he asked me to email the pictures. His initial thoughts were control arm/track bar adjustments. But I have adjustable arms, and track bar. Also have Metalcloak geometry brackets, and explained I installed the arms with and without the brackets.

Just sent the pics over, so hopefully I hear back soon. We’ll post when I do.

 

[hjdca]

Assuming control arm dimensions are right, check the control arm orientation. I seem to remember some kind of orientation issue with one of my front control arm when I installed it a few years ago. There was some interference or something when articulated. I had to switch them or re-orient them.... I do not remember exactly what the issue was or what I did...

 

[Marinertom]

Talked with Clayton this morning. It’s hard to diagnose over the phone, so he asked me to email the pictures. His initial thoughts were control arm/track bar adjustments. But I have adjustable arms, and track bar. Also have Metalcloak geometry brackets, and explained I installed the arms with and without the brackets.

Just sent the pics over, so hopefully I hear back soon. We’ll post when I do.

They told me to check my caster etc. and then adjust accordingly to have 5°. Pretty close. It looks like I have about 2° + on passenger side and -5° driver. So going to adjust my driver side control arms a little. That is the side that has the weird it’s angle.

 

[Wet Willys]

There's no way you have negative 5 degrees on one side and positive 2 degrees on the other, that's a 7 degree caster split. You can't really adjust caster split on a solid axle. Your readings should be pretty close to the same from side to side, otherwise your measurement method is flawed or your axle housing is twisted (unlikely). Are you sitting on level ground when taking the measurements?

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