All sports super sport lift too stiff

[mnealuf]

Last year installed a 4”all sports on my club car DS and it rides like a covered wagon. Either geometry sucks or the spring rate is wayyyy too high. Anyone me ever find a source for custom leafs ? I wonder if I could get a softer spring or even modifying the existing leaf.

[slonomo]

Leaf spring suspensions are notorious for rough ride. Usually if you use a softer spring you'll have alignment issues and steering will be irratic. The suspension design is the fault here.

[dundeebarnbuggy]

While all of the above is true in theory, there is still a lot you can do to "dial in" our suspension to our needs. First question. Which end of the cart is the biggest problem?

[Springbok]

I have the same kit in a 6" on my 1987 Club Car and it rides very comfortably in my opinion. Been on the cart with pretty frequent use both on and off-road since January 2013 and I would gladly buy another one. I do have 8" wheels with 22" tires (plenty of sidewall cushion). Maybe that makes a difference?

I have a 1990 Club Car with a Z-lift (uses stock front suspension) and it rides like a covered wagon. Every bump seems to throw you out of your seat.

[dundeebarnbuggy]

Well Springbok, looks like his radio went dead.

[mnealuf]

The front is definitely the worst. Rear is little stiff since I did Li conversion (had dual action springs), I may put stock leafs back in the rear at s9mw point to try but for sure the front is the primary offender.


QUOTE=dundeebarnbuggy;1870931]While all of the above is true in theory, there is still a lot you can do to "dial in" our suspension to our needs. First question. Which end of the cart is the biggest problem?[/QUOTE]

[dundeebarnbuggy]

Here's what you need. The front main leaf is OK. You need to find a lighter [read thinner] helper to go with as you can't just run the main by itself. Early 80s DS had a three leaves in the front if you can find them, the middle works great. Now, it still needs a little extra support where it bolts to the frame. A peice of 1/4 or 3/8" flat bar with the ends bent down to form a bit of a saddle against the spring. You will have a bit more body roll if you want to corner at stupid speeds but lifted carts are not made to corner. It really helps off road as it allows a little more movement in off camber situations allowing the rear wheels more equal traction. What size tires?

[mnealuf]

I wonder if I could find the dimensions of a softer spring such as you describe and get a spring place to bend one up for me. I have 22” X 10 tires.

QUOTE=dundeebarnbuggy;1871675]Here's what you need. The front main leaf is OK. You need to find a lighter [read thinner] helper to go with as you can't just run the main by itself. Early 80s DS had a three leaves in the front if you can find them, the middle works great. Now, it still needs a little extra support where it bolts to the frame. A peice of 1/4 or 3/8" flat bar with the ends bent down to form a bit of a saddle against the spring. You will have a bit more body roll if you want to corner at stupid speeds but lifted carts are not made to corner. It really helps off road as it allows a little more movement in off camber situations allowing the rear wheels more equal traction. What size tires?[/QUOTE]

[dundeebarnbuggy]

If you are not going to get a factory CC leaf, just take your main to a decent spring shop, they will know what you need. The saddle, however you will have to make yourself as You need the cart's weight sitting on the spring [assembled] to figure out the amount of "step" needed at the end to just touch the spring without forcing it.

[slonomo]

Not many spring shops left anymore. We used to get springs re-arched all the time. That's a good suggestion though, there's usually at least one in every bigger city. I've heard some trailer springs are the correct thickness and width, have considered looking at those before.