Broken leaf spring damper

[matrophy]

Heard a clunking noise while driving and I see that what I would call a damper on PS leaf spring looks like the welds have broken. Is this something dangerous to leave alone (I would just wire it in place) or should I replace the leaf spring? I don't believe this piece can be replaced by itself as it is welded to the spring.

 

 

 

Edited October 22, 2019 by matrophy

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Well you can't weld to a spring without it cracking, so that's likely why it broke free in the first place.

[matrophy]

You're right. It's riveted to the spring from underneath and then welded to the bracket and the weld broke. Do you know if this is an OEM item or may have been added later? I am just going to replace it with a clamp just in case some kind of extra support is supposed to be there.

[NC85ST]

It is factory. I had one break on my 85 and ran it that way until I parked the truck. Probably 100,000 miles or more. Never caused any problems. I parked the truck with 375,000 miles.

[matrophy]

OK. Good to know.

 

Thanks

[datzenmike]

 

I guess Nissan had a reason for those things. Looks like it might be there if the truck was to bounce up and the rear axle fall away from the body as in going over a hump. It would prevent the leaves separating as much when the top most leaf arches upwards. I mean just look at how thick those are!! Has no effect on compression of the spring as they all stack up below it.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Those clamps are designed to help with axle wrap and wheel hop (both on acceleration and deceleration).