To Those with Hellwig Traction Springs

XterraChad · 04-15-2007, 05:48 PM

I'm installing my heavy duty hellwig traction springs today... And I just want to make sure this is right....

Does anyone have pics of the red helper spring towards the front of the truck? All the pics I've seen just show the spring torwards the axle, and not how it looks towards the front of the leaf.

It seems that the front piece of the spring is getting real close to the clamp towards the front of the factory leafs, is the ubolt supposed to go in front of this clamp, towards the front of the truck, or behind the clamp towards the rear of the truck... I can't really get the rear piece of the spring any closer to the axle, as its almost touching the factory ubolt mounts. attached are some pics:

Thanks for the help...
Chad

sudden urge · 04-15-2007, 07:06 PM

You made good decision going with the Hellwigs. Retighten them after a few days, and make sure you have rear mounting clamp as close as possible to the axle. Here are some of my pics:

Edit: I just noticed you have a 1" spacer block. I'm not sure if that moved your mounting point forward by a 1/2". Look at my pic of the front, and you will see that my front clamp is just before the factory spring clamp thingy, the curved end of the Hellwig actually pushes up against it, not on top of it, when tightened down. I do have the HD Hellwigs and wonder if mine are a 1/2" shorter than your set. Also, you should use the extra locking nuts they gave you.

sudden urge · 04-15-2007, 08:03 PM

I just went in the garage tonight and took two pics of the front clamp mount to give you a better idea.

XterraChad · 04-15-2007, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudden urge

You made good decision going with the Hellwigs. Retighten them after a few days, and make sure you have rear mounting clamp as close as possible to the axle. Here are some of my pics:

Edit: I just noticed you have a 1" spacer block. I'm not sure if that moved your mounting point forward by a 1/2". Look at my pic of the front, and you will see that my front clamp is just before the factory spring clamp thingy, the curved end of the Hellwig actually pushes up against it, not on top of it, when tightened down. I do have the HD Hellwigs and wonder if mine are a 1/2" shorter than your set. Also, you should use the extra locking nuts they gave you.

I didn't really think about that 1" block... maybe that kinda changed things a bit. I have the HD ones too, so they should be the same... Hmm...
Thanks for taking the pics....

TitanHigh · 04-15-2007, 08:44 PM

what is the part number of the helper springs you bought. reason i ask is every time i have called hellwig they tell emthey do not offer a heavy duty set up for the titan.

sudden urge · 04-15-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanHigh

what is the part number of the helper springs you bought. reason i ask is every time i have called hellwig they tell emthey do not offer a heavy duty set up for the titan.

They are traction springs, not helper springs. Their only purpose is to eliminate axle wrap. They are sold exclusively at JC Whitney and made by Hellwig.

TitanJim · 04-16-2007, 09:07 AM

I am having the exact same problem...I also have 1" blocks. I was thinking about grinding about a 1/4" off the front and rear of the traction springs.

XterraChad · 04-16-2007, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanJim

I am having the exact same problem...I also have 1" blocks. I was thinking about grinding about a 1/4" off the front and rear of the traction springs.

Good idea... I'm going to play around with them again this weekend... I guess you can just get some red spray paint to paint the exposed ends once you grind them....

More than likely, its probably because they aren't exactly installed right, while they did reduce axle wrap, I still have a little from a dead stop.... I'm pretty confident that when I get them in there right, it will eliminate it completely.

sudden urge · 04-16-2007, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XterraChad

Good idea... I'm going to play around with them again this weekend... I guess you can just get some red spray paint to paint the exposed ends once you grind them....

More than likely, its probably because they aren't exactly installed right, while they did reduce axle wrap, I still have a little from a dead stop.... I'm pretty confident that when I get them in there right, it will eliminate it completely.

Once you get them in right, you won't have any axle wrap. You have to get them in so they are touching the upper spring on both ends, then it will act like another leaf was installed.

Herbpov · 04-16-2007, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XterraChad

I didn't really think about that 1" block... maybe that kinda changed things a bit. I have the HD ones too, so they should be the same... Hmm...
Thanks for taking the pics....

I think the HD ones are a bit longer. I believe it is about 2 inches longer. I have the standard ones and I am about 2 inches from the clamp.