Gen1 Monoleaf pad isolators - damages spring

[crazyd]

So I'm about a year & 10k miles down the road from installing the Moog monoleaf pad isolators on my car, and have made a disturbing discovery. These things are abrasive. There's this white powder all over the spindle, and the nylon has worn away the gelcoat and eaten into the spring.

 

Also, the K6000 "spring helpers" I installed four years ago have developed a damaging quirk as well. The rubber picks up small rocks and compresses it into the spring, breaking through the gelcoat and pitting it.

 

I pulled a replacement monoleaf off a '96 GP sedan in the yard yesterday as insurance in case anything happens to mine, but now I wonder - is the rear monoleaf the same between coupe & sedan? And installing it is gonna be a mofo...

[White93z34]

Same setup between coupe and sedan. It seems that the pre 1992 leaf springs dont seem to sag nearly as much.

 

leaf spring install is not too bad provided you have the correct spring compressor.

[94 olds vert]

This is now the second time I've heard about these Moog monoleaf pads eating or chewing up the monoleaf on one of these cars.

 

I'll have to watch mine and see what they do. Beautiful car by the way.

Edited May 30, 2012 by 94 olds vert
iPhone auto correct fail

[crazyd]

Same setup between coupe and sedan. It seems that the pre 1992 leaf springs dont seem to sag nearly as much.

 

leaf spring install is not too bad provided you have the correct spring compressor.

 

I thought it was the 94+ monoleafs that were better? After having removed one and actually held it in my hands, these things are unbelievably lightweight, easily less than a single coilspring, and the rollbar is also a lot smaller. A coilover conversion must add some significant weight...

 

As for the spring compressor, I didn't know there was one for a monoleaf. That's gotta be a strange-looking tool.

[crazyd]

This is now the second time I've heard about these Moog monoleaf pads eating or chewing up the monoleaf on one of Hester's cars.

 

Who's Hester??

 

I'll have to watch mine and see what they do. Beautiful car by the way.

 

Thanks, these cars can be a real struggle at times, but I think the 7-year resto was worth it. I'm going to try a spray-on rubber coating to see if that helps.

[crazyd]

Come to think of it, gluing a square piece of innertube onto the pad would probably work too.

[Penglii]

As for the spring compressor, I didn't know there was one for a monoleaf. That's gotta be a strange-looking tool.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kent-Moore-J-35778-REAR-LEAF-SPRING-COMPRESSOR-/270941787013?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item3f15639385&vxp=mtr

[White93z34]

Thats the one I have. Awkward tool to say the least but man does it make removing and installing springs a breeze.

[White93z34]

I thought it was the 94+ monoleafs that were better? After having removed one and actually held it in my hands, these things are unbelievably lightweight, easily less than a single coilspring, and the rollbar is also a lot smaller. A coilover conversion must add some significant weight...

 

As for the spring compressor, I didn't know there was one for a monoleaf. That's gotta be a strange-looking tool.

 

All I know for sure is pretty much most 92+ cars are totally dragging the rear at this point where most the 88-91 stuff is still riding where it should be (if not too high).

[topless94style2]

I thought it was the 94+ monoleafs that were better? After having removed one and actually held it in my hands, these things are unbelievably lightweight, easily less than a single coilspring, and the rollbar is also a lot smaller. A coilover conversion must add some significant weight...

 

As for the spring compressor, I didn't know there was one for a monoleaf. That's gotta be a strange-looking tool.

 

Check out my suspension tuning post for weight difference of coil over vs monoleaf. If you need a back up back up i have monoleaf avail

[Penglii]

Thats the one I have. Awkward tool to say the least but man does it make removing and installing springs a breeze.

 

I have one as well, never had to use it yet though.

It is quite large and heavy, but the usage instructions are dead simple and i'm sure it beats losing a finger/face/etc. any day of the week.

$120 shipped for one is a great deal.

[Garrett Powered]

I thought you guys were talking about Schurkey's spring compressor. that thing looks like a ripoff.

 

yeah, there is a guy on here that designed one that can easily be made in a few minutes with a few dollars and a welder.

 

anyway if the springs gelcoat is the only problem. that is EASY and super cheap to re- gelcoat. evercoat has pints and all you would have to do is brush on a couple coats. might have to degrease it quick first. don't know if it would work but its an idea.

[crazyd]

Check out my suspension tuning post for weight difference of coil over vs monoleaf. If you need a back up back up i have monoleaf avail

 

Wow, surprised to see it's pretty much a negligible weight difference... Gotta think though that those massive strut assemblies must give some benefit over the small coilover shock. The Delco gas-charged units I have in there now are heavier than the stock oil units, but they ride & handle way better.

[jman093]

but now I wonder - is the rear monoleaf the same between coupe & sedan?

 

The spring will fit, but the spring rates may be different. Here are the codes. Check the rpo between your car and the one you're pulling from.

 

Transverse leaf spring codes:

Highest

 

RHU

RFL

RFK

RFJ

RFH

RFF

RHN

RDN

RDM

RHH

RDK

RDJ

RDH

RDF

RDD

 

Lowest

[LuminaPower92]

Meh, this is why i purchase a birchmount.

[carkhz316]

Does anyone have the instructions for a build your own compressor?

[Garrett Powered]

http://www.w-body.com/showthread.php/21004-Monoleaf-Pad-Thread-%28Part-Number-and-HowTo-Inside%29/page2

[pshojo]

Wow, and I thought there might have only been 1/2 dozen at most. Good question is how to know which ones would match up to front springs. Or with mono leaf, does it have less effect on under/over steer if rates dont match. ?

[skitchin]

Would imagine it's like any spring where the softer your rear springs are in comparison to the front, the more understeer you'll get. Stiffer bias to the rear = more oversteer(a small amount is a good thing)

[topless94style2]

Wow, and I thought there might have only been 1/2 dozen at most. Good question is how to know which ones would match up to front springs. Or with mono leaf, does it have less effect on under/over steer if rates dont match. ?

 

 

You'd want to know the spring rates of the original set up, and the spring rates of the rear leaf options to determine what the match would look like. Ideal match is probably the stock that came on the car, otherwise, what Skitch said.

[wickedbuick]

I thought someone mentioned a different style isolator and figured this must be it. Dorman p/n 31066 and its $25

 

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Dorman-Leaf-Spring-Insulator/1991-Buick-Regal/_/N-itcyeZ8ijxo?itemIdentifier=365532_13921_2826_

 

[mhildebrand]

Has anyone used the Dormans? My isolators are ready to be replaced now, and if the moogs are damaging the monoleaf, i dont really want to use them.