Can I trim this leaf spring? (1 Viewer)

[drpeej]

I have recently fitted a solenoid waste valve to my Peugeot Boxer PVC.

The concern I have is that the rear few cm of the leaf spring may foul on the waste pipe and damage it.

I have air assist suspension and if I inflate the pressure above 2 bar the body is raised high enough that it is very close to the lower spring leaf.

What I am wondering is whether it is possible to trim a few cm off the lower spring leaf so it doesn't foul on the pipe.

I attach a photo and have arrowed the part of the spring I am referring to. It is just dangling free and doesnt seem to have any function

I dont intend to cut it myself. I will probably ask a mechanic to do it but I dont want to make a fool of myself by asking for something that is impossible.

(I'll just make a fool of myself on here instead!)

 

[Googlebot]

I would say not a chance.

You will be introducing stress into an area not designed to take it and could cause all sorts of very expensive issues.

I can’t see a mechanic chopping a leaf spring either. It would be disastrous from a liability point of view.

If it smacks your waste pipe, it just damages the pipe. Hit a large bump with less leaf spring than you should have and the whole suspension could collapse with catastrophic consequences.

 

[David and Sally]

Surely easier to reroute the pipe?

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[Lenny HB]

I wouldn't it's that length for a reason.
Why not just re-route the waste pipe it would be much easier.

 

[Al-Di]

would probably fail MOT

 

[drpeej]

I wouldn't it's that length for a reason.
Why not just re-route the waste pipe it would be much easier.

Well yes, that is the obvious solution but I've already done that and no pipe bend actually clears the area as it quite close.

I may replace the section under the spring with a piece of flexible pipe.

The problem only became apparent after getting air assist added which lifted up the body and attached stuff (eg waste tank and pipe)

It's not a problem if the air pressure is kept low.

Ah well - it was just a thought

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[drpeej]

would probably fail MOT

OK thats a 'no' then. I still dont understand what the function of this is as its not attached to anything.

 

[David and Sally]

OK thats a 'no' then. I still dont understand what the function of this is.

It has a rubber pad on the top by the look of it. Is it to add some spring under that bodywork mounting on extreme suspension compression?

 

[funflair]

OK thats a 'no' then. I still dont understand what the function of this is as its not attached to anything.

I think you will find that the lower spring comes into contact with the upper one when the suspension compressed, if you chopped it shorter it would act as a point load high stress area on the upper spring.

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[David and Sally]

I think you will find that the lower spring comes into contact with the upper one when the suspension compressed, if you chopped it shorter it would act as a point load high stress area on the upper spring.

Bit like wot I said but makes more sense

 

[68c]

It looks like a bent spring to me. There appears to be a mark on the leaf above. Perhaps by being bent it had lowered the ride height and may be why you have chosen to fit air assist.

 

[PP Bear]

Far better to reroute the pipe.

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[pappajohn]

OK thats a 'no' then. I still dont understand what the function of this is as its not attached to anything.

It's effectively a progressive spring, a bit like a spring assister
When the main spring compresses it contacts the second spring increasing resistance to compressing much further.

As for the pipework, I see no reason why the pipe can't be extended horizontally to the right to go around the end of the spring.
Replacing with flexy won't be any use as if it's in contact with the spring it will only rub through

 

[Lenny HB]

Well yes, that is the obvious solution but I've already done that and no pipe bend actually clears the area as it quite close.

I may replace the section under the spring with a piece of flexible pipe.

The problem only became apparent after getting air assist added which lifted up the body and attached stuff (eg waste tank and pipe)

It's not a problem if the air pressure is kept low.

Ah well - it was just a thought

If there is not room to re-route it why not blank off the outlet and fit the outlet in a diffent place on the tank.

 

[drpeej]

Thanks everyone. I think I've got the message.

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[L' Hobo]

I don't think the pipe that you have arrowed will not go any lower especially now you recently appear to have had fitted, air assist.

It function was to help the other leaf in the spring so now that job has been taken over by you airbags to a large extent, this is now redundant. One can see, from the rusty patch on the upper leaf, where it has been in contact.

Just leave it, load up and see how it looks, I think the clearance to the pipe will be about the same?