Lift rollers

[Functional Artist]

I'va been thinkin' about makin' some "rolling lifters" for my flatbed tow truck
...outta some steel rod
...& some angle iron

So, I rounded up a piece of 1" steel rod

I marked it in 3" sections
...then, wrapped some masking tape around the rod
...to "highlight" the cut line

...& to help ensure an even cut

I used a cut-off wheel on the grinder
...periodically spun the piece, while cuttin'
...& it turned out kinda like this

 

[Master Hack]

rolling lifters"

Please 'splain. Wadda they do, besides roll and lift?

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

 

[Master Hack]

I Know!

SP10 Lift Roller

 

[Denny]

They lift and roll?

 

[Master Hack]

Dude! You need a chop saw!
You work too hard!

 

[Master Hack]

Lift and seperate?

 

[Functional Artist]

Please 'splain. Wadda they do, besides roll and lift?

Hey T,

Sorry for the delay (had ta work at my "day job")

Back story:
I wanted to add ~1' of lift, to the rear of my flatbed tow truck

So, I installed some 1" (thick) x 3" x 3" solid steel "blocks" to the helper spring "perches" (I guess ya call 'em)

But, the lateral movement of the springs seems ta be "workin' 'em loose"
...& I ended up loosing (1)

So, I temporarily installed a 1" thick x 3" x 4" piece of Oak, until I could get a replacement

Simply secured, in place, with a couple of 3/4" drywall screws

...& I added some grease in between the "spacers" & the springs, ta help "lubricate" the situation

But/then, the next day, another one went AWOL

So, now I'ma thinkin' that I need some "lifts" that'll "roll"

 

[Functional Artist]

Dude! You need a chop saw!
You work too hard!

View attachment 148102

I had one
...but, I overworked the little fella
...& it died

 

[Master Hack]

So you are talking about “self aligning cylinderical spring rate enhancers”?
what gunna keep (dem doggies ) roll’in?

 

[Rat]

Id just flip the rear shackle so the spring is is below the pivot bushing instead of above, the replace the the overload spring saddle bushings with those of the appropriate hight.

Overload springs (aka helper springs) aren't even supposed to touch anything until you have reached the point the mainsprings have began to sag X amount under load at which point depending on the vehicle the contact a padded saddle or the frame rail itself with a heavy bushing on the leaf ends instead.

That metal on metal bullshıt is not the answer and is going to do little more than one hell of a racket

 

[Functional Artist]

So you are talking about “self aligning cylinderical spring rate enhancers”?
what gunna keep (dem doggies ) roll’in?

Hey T,

That is quite the fancy name
...but, I guess "if" ya wanna call 'em that

Roller Brackets
I'ma gonna use a (2) piece design for the roller brackets
...'cause I don't have the equipment ta bend steel this thick/heavy duty

* Notice we have (2) different brackets
...with the roller "axle" holes on (2) different "planes"

So, when the brackets (left & right) are "stacked" the "axle" for the rollers will be horizontal

Still lots more work ta do (those are only 1/4" "axle" bolts)
...but, I'ma thinkin' we gonna need at least 1/2" "axle" bolts

Something like this is what I have in mind

I doubled 'em up to help spread the "load"

Another view

 

[Master Hack]

’nuther stellar design!

how are you managing to drill, dem rollers on center all the way through?

1/2 bolts for sure. Socket head cap screws, for insurance!

 

[Functional Artist]

how are you managing to drill, dem rollers on center all the way through?

Had ta do some DIY sh*t
...& it's a "work in progress"

First, I just tried measuring, marking, punching
...but, the results seemed kinda "iffy"

So, then I used a DIY center'er
Which is a 1" x 1/4" slug, from some other project

Next, I drilled a 1" hole, in a piece of 1 1/2" MDF
...& "popped" the "slug" in
...for drilling/marking the center

Then, just inserted a roller from the bottom
...& used the "slug"
...& a 1/4" drill bit
...ta "start" the hole(s)
Before

After

 

[Functional Artist]

Id just flip the rear shackle so the spring is is below the pivot bushing instead of above, the replace the the overload spring saddle bushings with those of the appropriate hight.

Overload springs (aka helper springs) aren't even supposed to touch anything until you have reached the point the mainsprings have began to sag X amount under load at which point depending on the vehicle the contact a padded saddle or the frame rail itself with a heavy bushing on the leaf ends instead.

That metal on metal bullshıt is not the answer and is going to do little more than one hell of a racket

Hey Rat,

Thanks for the input
...but, I'd be leary about changing the design of the suspension
...the spring/shackles weren't designed to "work like that"
...& also, looks like that concept would provide too much "lift" (maybe ~3" - 4")

My idea is to not try-n-re-design the suspension
...but, to simply add a 1" "spacer"
...to "trick" the springs into thinking the "roller lifters" are just part of the existing spring helper perches

This truck has a 14,500 GVW
...it rides good & carries weight well

But, when I tow (lets say) an old Caddy (2 - 2 1/2 tons or 4,000lbs - 5,000lbs.) or even a newer Escalade (same)
...the rear of the truck rides a bit lower (~1") than I would like
...&/so, I was thinkin' a 1" "lift" should/would help "level 'er out", when loaded

 

[Master Hack]

This works well for locating center:

How to Find the Center of a Circle

How to Find the Center of a Circle: Finding the centers of things for woodworking is pretty important. Squares and rectangles are pretty easy, you simply draw two diagonal lines from the opposite corners and the point where they cross is the center of your material. Find…

www.instructables.com

The problem might be keeping the bit from wandering as you drill through 3 inches.

But your ingenuity amazes me...

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

So your solution is something like this?

 

[Functional Artist]

So your solution is something like this?
View attachment 148152

Yes, sir!

 

[Master Hack]

So, with the bracket/holder thingy It's going to be 1.25 to 1.50 inches tall? or sumpthin like that? 1" rollers and bottom plate is 1/4-3/8? plus a little clearance. It's getting bolted in the center?
Solid plan, I don't see why it won't work.

Just thinkin out loud....
Would a block of Teflon or Delrin work just as well?

I woulda slapped some grease on that chunk of oak and driven off into the sunset.

 

[Rat]

Just thinkin out loud....
Would a block of Teflon or Delrin work just as well?

Probably, although those would be a bit hard.

It seems to me the issue is the OE bumpers are missing, pretty typical for them to rot away over time. The cushion the ends if the overload leaf sets when there's no load from thumping metal on metal when you hit a pothole, but act as a shim when there is enough load to engage the the overload leaves