Bent Front Spring Question

[ASW864]

I'm new to this forum and did a quick search but couldn't find an answer, so here's my situation.

I was out trail riding at Gulches last weekend and got into a fight with a tree. The tree won! Not only did I bend my aluminium rim and destroy the front shock but also bent the front drivers side leaf spring.
I took the spring off and put it in my shop press and 'almost' straightened it back.
Before

After


I know the "Correct" answer is to replace both front spring. But...

What I want to know if anyone else has tried to straightened one and what problems (if any) did they have afterwards.

Eventually I would like to put YJ Springs under it, but funds are tight now.
My Jeep has NT axles from a CJ5 , so I'm a little hesitant about lifting it too much.

The bent spring is 2" wide and has 5 leafs.
Stamped number 5355581 (as far as I know they're stock)

 

[Torxhead]

I had a similiar incident years ago, and straightend out the bent leaf. Turns out that the spring leaf was fatigued and ended up breaking while I was on the trail. I sent the spring back to the manufacturer and it was repaired for a relativly cheap price.

 

[tarry99]

I'm new to this forum and did a quick search but couldn't find an answer, so here's my situation.

I was out trail riding at Gulches last weekend and got into a fight with a tree. The tree won! Not only did I bend my aluminium rim and destroy the front shock but also bent the front drivers side leaf spring.
I took the spring off and put it in my shop press and 'almost' straightened it back.
Before
View attachment 15959
After
View attachment 15960

I know the "Correct" answer is to replace both front spring. But...

What I want to know if anyone else has tried to straightened one and what problems (if any) did they have afterwards.

Eventually I would like to put YJ Springs under it, but funds are tight now.
My Jeep has NT axles from a CJ5 , so I'm a little hesitant about lifting it too much.

The bent spring is 2" wide and has 5 leafs.
Stamped number 5355581 (as far as I know they're stock)

Your wasting your time......those springs were forged with heat.........cold bending will surely end up in another broken spring and maybe at a time that is not good for your health!............next time buy a spring that has the second leaf wrapped around the first..........called a military wrap.... will stop or at least help that problem whenever you run into a rock or tree again.

 

[ASW864]

How badly was yours bent?
My thinking is if there's no hope this will work, I can buy two new stock springs, but it sounds like most are way too stiff and sag pretty quick (poor quality) or I can do a YJ spring conversion but that's a lot of money for me.
I still need to buy a set of shocks, but I need to resolve the springs first.

 

[Old Dog]

I agree with Tarry99, as bad as that was bent, it is probably trash now.
If you don't have the cash for the yj springs you want now, I would try a spring shop in your area, they may be able to replace that one leaf cheap. Craigslist might also be something to try, a lot of people that put lifts on have their old springs laying around. Or maybe a 4X4 shop that does lifts.

 

[ASW864]

OK, I'll Do it

Alright, You guys convinced me. We're talking safety, right!

I did some more research and think I'll do the YJ conversion.
I found a local shop that had a set laying around just like 'Old Dog' said.
I am thinking about getting the Rocky Road Outfitters conversion kit JP7405 for $190 after shipping. (Early Christmas Present )
Comes with UBolt plates, Shackles, and hangers for the front.

Question, is there any reason not to do the front only.
I'm wondering if I should put the 5 leafs under the front and leave the original 6 leafs under the rear. I do have a AMC 304 and the 5's should handle the extra weight.
After I get the springs mounted I can measure for shocks, Anybody use Rough County N2.0?

 

[Old Dog]

The yj springs are a lot softer riding than cj's so I'm not sure how it will handle (drive) with only front springs. Since you have all 4 and the hardware to mount them, I guess you cold try it till you do the rear.

 

[ASW864]

The yj springs are a lot softer riding than cj's so I'm not sure how it will handle (drive) with only front springs. Since you have all 4 and the hardware to mount them, I guess you cold try it till you do the rear.

Yep, that's what I was thinking as well.
Aren't the Rears just a straight swap?
Same width 2.5" , not sure about the length.
If I took the CJ6 leafs out of and put the YJ 5 leafs in I'm sure it will be softer.
Do you think the metal is different?
I'm not trying to be difficult, Just wondering out loud. The real test will be how it rides.

 

[Old Dog]

I think the rear is a straight swap. (I'm running cj springs) There's a couple Threads here about the swap that would tell you for sure though.
The "metal" is the same but it is a different spring rate, if that makes since.

 

[ftwflh]

I bent my driver side spring and shock a couple yrs ago.Went with a new ProComp spring on that side(4in lift springs hadnt been on too long) and a new set of front shock and it is ok.
Had to take a jack and a sledge hammer to bend spring enough to get home.

 

[ASW864]

Slotting Ubolt plate

I have decided to do a YJ OME spring conversion. I'm sourcing my own parts instead of buying one of those kit. Everything should be here Monday. I should save over $500. The most difficult part will be modifying my existing ubolt plates, but that wont be too hard.
Deliberating on whether I should just elongate the holes or weld-fill and re-drill. The plate is 5/16" so I think its strong enough to slot if I use good washers for the ubolts.