'82 Sandtana Leaf Springs / Suspension

[momono]

Hello! I just found this place, was referred by some nice folks at the RVers Corner..

In April a year ago I bought my first vehicle, a '82 Sandtana on a toyota pickup (22r 4cyl, automatic) for $600, and so far it's shown to be worth it and then some.. it's had its share of mishaps, so far I've had to replace the fuel pump, alternator, both batteries, much of the under-hood electrical system including the voltage regulator and isolator solonoid.. I'm glad it's had these things, though, they were in worse shape when I bought it..

So recently my back left leaf spring went out.. not the whole spring, just the top-back hooked leaf (looks like a J or a question mark), and I've heard from some places that it is an aftermarket addition to the standard toyota springs, from other places that the entire kit and caboodle was put in by sandtana. When I first bought the rig it came with a little pamphlet about the suspension and axle failures that happened to some of these things way back when (one of the reasons sandtana isn't around anymore I guess) and it worried me at the time but nothing showed up.. now I would like to replace both springs and the shocks and seal it up good.

I wondered if any of you experienced folks would know what it is I'm looking for, some places to get them, and maybe some guides to putting them on?

Thanks in advance!

-momono

[WME]

I'd head to a wrecking yard and get a spring stack from an 82 pickup. Use what you need to put yours back together. install airbags to get it to ride level and use good HD shocks.

Spring breakage is rare, but if you just gotta have new stuff, just look in the phone book under truck springs. Most cities have suspension shops that can order/build correct spring stacks

[momono]

It's been hard describing this thing to people, so I drew a picture - the "curly cue" that I've labeled is the piece that's broken, and it looks to be simple enough to replace if someone could only tell me what it's called!

Here it is:

As you might be able to see, the regular leaf spring seems to be o.k.. even though it's something like 5 or 6 feet long. Imagine that the curly-cue is broken in half and the part connected above the axle is hanging freely..

Thanks again!

-B

[Gulfstream Greg]

That looks like an after market spring helper. I do not think you will just be able to replace the one. Probably will have to purchase a pair from an auto parts store.

Here is a link to some at JC Whittney http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Search?...u=spring+helper

Here is a link to the facts regarding the rear axle problems http://www.toyotamotorhomes.com/files/Axle_FAQ.pdf

[momono]

Thanks for all the advice so far; my thoughts are on a similar tangent, many people have told me to look into a spring shop, it's just the nearest one is 60 or so miles away, and I'm not confident driving all the way down there with a lopsided vehicle .

So I snapped some pics of the area with my cell phone camera, I'm gonna send 'em off to that shop if I can and see if they can tell me what the part is and how much it might cost..

top-down towards front (broken side, left):

side-long (broken side):

top-down towards front (good side, right):

side-long (good side):

back curl-over broken side:

The axle seems to be OK, not looking to be cartoonish or anything, but the tire definitely shows extra bulge on the side with broken support.. they're probably something we can put on ourselves, but we gotta find the place to order from.. if not this shop. I'll appreciate any more insight's y'all have!

Great Thanks..

[WME]

Its a helper spring. The double nut is the preload adjustment.

JC whitneys has lots, so does PEP Boys. Most off roading 4x4 places too.

WME

[turtle]

Your best bet would be to put in an extra ride spring. Downy off road sells these and I have put them in both of my motor homes and Toyota trucks. They are very nice and permanent as they are just an additional leaf sandwiched in the stock grouping.

http://www.toymike.com/sunrader/pics/frictionPads.jpg

The Downey spring is the powder coated silver one at the end of the right arrow.

You could might also look into getting a Firestone Ride Rite air suspension kit. These are also nice and an easy install

http://www.fsip.com/riderite/products/rrinfo.shtml

My 91 sunrader has both the extra Downey ride spring AND a Ride Rite air suspension. No complaints about how it rides and handles from me.

[momono]

Thanks for all the responses guys! I sent the pictures to a local spring shop, and a local guy who works on trailers and RV's, and both said it was a hellwig helper spring.. we had already been on JC Whitney looking at some, just couldn't find one that fit over the top like the last two.. until we found these (now on the way):

HELLWIG LEAF SPRING ADJUSTABLE HELPERS - JCWhitney Auto Parts

When I get back on the road and start making s'more money, I'm gonna add some of these:

Heavy-duty Performance Traction Control Spring : JC Whitney: Auto Parts & Accessories

The ones the trailer-RV guy recommended were these ones, but we don't want to have to tweak with anything around the axle and these have these great big black things above -

HELLWIG PROGRESSIVE RATE HELPER SPRINGS - JCWhitney Jeep Parts

So looking at the form and function of this one he suggested, I think a combination of the first two will serve pretty much the same function and reduce some of the twisting pressures on the axle.

Thanks for that pdf about the axle failures as well! It looks like mine is one of the oldies, but it isn't showing any signs of breakage or tweaking so far.. thanks to these hefty springs methinks.

Edited December 6, 2007 by momono

[turtle]

Thanks for that pdf about the axle failures as well! It looks like mine is one of the oldies, but it isn't showing any signs of breakage or tweaking so far.. thanks to these hefty springs methinks.

The first sign you have problems is when one of the rear wheels comes off and the body is resting on the pavement. If you are traveling at a high rate of speed when this happens tuck your head between your legs and don't open your eyes until the dust settles.

It is the internal axle half shaft and wheel bearing that fails and there is no visible indication before the failure, just the collapse of once side as the wheel leaves the vehicle.

You might want to start calling salvage yards near you to locate a replacement 1 ton full floating axle.

[WME]

How many tires on the back axle 2 or 4???