Upper spring cup protection

[eToothpaste]

Does anyone have a novel way to keep the upper spring cups clean and/or dry?

I took to cleaning the gravel and mud out of mine last month and wasn't able to do a very good job. I have started hosing them out at home after driving through any mud then drying it out with a rag ... every time I take it out. Would be nice to have a rubber sleeve that would keep the majority of water and gravel out that could be flipped or slipped up in order to clean and dry it out. Something not too unlike a CV boot, or even just a magnum-sized prophylactic...

I've got two new cups on the driver's rear (this just gets better and better), but the passenger side looks like it was being held together with all the gravel and mud. I have actually noticed the right side tipping more and more since I cleaned it out. Time to call SAV.

[berger]

Why not make a cone out of an old inner tube? Cut to shape, then uses rubber cement to join the edges. You can use zip ties to hold it in place.


Sent from my Mobile

[pinzinator]

I clean mine out and add and ounce of oil as normal maintenance, once or twice a year.

[TechMOGogy]

All my rears are being replaced
Pack with heavy grease?

[krick3tt]

Heavy grease...great dirt magnet, I think. Will definitely keep out water.

[Stekay]

It's a little late if you've already installed them but adding a cadmium plating, hard coat, parkerizing or a baked on dry film would be a good route to go. Even just an epoxy primer then topcoat.

[Twin Pinzies]

Why paint or cover them? If they are rusting out, just replace them and fuggitaboutit. They'll last another 37 yrs. no problem!

[krick3tt]

Perhaps the biggest issue is that they were neglected for so long when the military was the responsible party. Apparently not a big issue for them. When I got my pinz they were full of pieces of the Alps as were the tops of anything horizontal like the rear and front diff. Those grooves are for cooling not soil collecting, it is not the Mars rover. The cups collect as well. Cleaning and painting against rust might be a short term solution.
I also found water collecting in the well of the dog house hold downs. There is a drain hole that gets plugged by the undercoating. Might want to check that as well. It is a very small hole and easy to miss.

[eToothpaste]

Interesting ideas.

TwinPinz, that's a good point: if these things are 40 years old then I sure wouldn't worry about it. Has anyone replaced them twice?

I might try taking Berger's and Pinzinator's idea and making a little rubber bootie and put a dose of oil in there.

[Stekay]

Maybe they lasted 40 years in the Alps, but here you need as much corrosion protection as possible:

[mopar]

Nice What beach is that???

[Stekay]

Robert Moses, just east of Jones Beach on the south shore of L.I. Hey Mopar, sorry I missed the MassMog this year. Did you go? I never got the notice.

[Andre]

I just drill 3 holes in the cups to allow them to drain when I wash them out. wax oil will take care of the rest.

[krick3tt]

Such a simple and effective way to solve the issue of water collecting...just drill a few holes. Thanks.

[TechMOGogy]

Found this as I was searching around: