Kagama Installed LeeSpring and steering is sh*te

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Trucking in space

Trucking in space

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The much discussed LC 085J 0 M spring arrived today. Got it installed and my steering is binding terribly.
The only thing I can think of is with the new spring installed and the servo saver left as "loose" as possible, the saver assembly seemed to be higher than it was with the stock spring.
Wheels are very hard to turn by hand and with truck powered up, my servo no longer returns to center after steering.
I just had my truck out earlier today and there were zero issues with my steering and centering.
Last night I even installed an aluminum servo saver lower piece (the part that attached to the steering link coming off of the servo horn), and the spring replacement today was the very same process of teardown and installing 90% of the same components that I did flawlessly last night. I installed all the parts and rebuilt them today in the same manner. Everything went back in place just fine.
Do I need to tighten the saver more so that it is not taller than it was previously?
That's the only thing I can think of that's different: the saver assembly is definitely higher up because it's taller with the new spring.
Any insight would be superb.
I guess I'll take it apart again and tighten the saver more. I just didn't want it over tight.
 
Last edited:
Some pics might help. I sounds like you made a small mistake somewhere because I can't think of how the spring would cause problems. And what do you mean that the saver assembly is higher up? The only thing that should change when thightening and loosening the spring is the height of the retaining nut.
 
Trucking in space said:
The much discussed LC 085J 0 M spring arrived today. Got it installed and my steering is binding terribly.
The only thing I can think of is with the new spring installed and the servo saver left as "loose" as possible, the saver assembly seemed to be higher than it was with the stock spring.
Wheels are very hard to turn by hand and with truck powered up, my servo no longer returns to center after steering.
I just had my truck out earlier today and there were zero issues with my steering and centering.
Last night I even installed an aluminum servo saver lower piece (the part that attached to the steering link coming off of the servo horn), and the spring replacement today was the very same process of teardown and installing 90% of the same components that I did flawlessly last night. I installed all the parts and rebuilt them today in the same manner. Everything went back in place just fine.
Do I need to tighten the saver more so that it is not taller than it was previously?
That's the only thing I can think of that's different: the saver assembly is definitely higher up because it's taller with the new spring.
Any insight would be superb.
I guess I'll take it apart again and tighten the saver more. I just didn't want it over tight.
Click to expand...
If it’s binding I’m guessing the Ackermann is hitting the diff case something not lined up right though there’s not great clearance myself & others have gound off some material there. Pic of my buggy servo with stock spring wound pretty tight, and Kronos with upgraded hpi hard spring if it helps.

IMG_7462.webp


IMG_7461.webp


IMG_6781.webp


IMG_6780.webp


IMG_6777.webp
 
Trucking in space said:
The much discussed LC 085J 0 M spring arrived today. Got it installed and my steering is binding terribly.
The only thing I can think of is with the new spring installed and the servo saver left as "loose" as possible, the saver assembly seemed to be higher than it was with the stock spring.
Wheels are very hard to turn by hand and with truck powered up, my servo no longer returns to center after steering.
I just had my truck out earlier today and there were zero issues with my steering and centering.
Last night I even installed an aluminum servo saver lower piece (the part that attached to the steering link coming off of the servo horn), and the spring replacement today was the very same process of teardown and installing 90% of the same components that I did flawlessly last night. I installed all the parts and rebuilt them today in the same manner. Everything went back in place just fine.
Do I need to tighten the saver more so that it is not taller than it was previously?
That's the only thing I can think of that's different: the saver assembly is definitely higher up because it's taller with the new spring.
Any insight would be superb.
I guess I'll take it apart again and tighten the saver more. I just didn't want it over tight.
Click to expand...
You've installed it incorrectly. If the steering is binding, it has nothing to do with any of the springs, given that the spring in either case is retained by the collar.

The details of how to fit the spring are detailed in the threads that you have already had links to.

The position of the steering assembly does not change.

Once the spring is fitted, it should look like this:

IMG_20220629_183525~2.webp


Note the collar. Pressure has to be applied to the collar whilst it is lined up with the threads, as the spring is longer than stock by a few millimetres.

This does not alter the size of the servo saver or change the geometry.

If something is higher with you or rubbing - it sounds like an assembly issue or something is bent. Possibly both.
 
Horatio said:
You've installed it incorrectly. If the steering is binding, it has nothing to do with any of the springs, given that the spring in either case is retained by the collar.

The details of how to fit the spring are detailed in the threads that you have already had links to.

The position of the steering assembly does not change.

Once the spring is fitted, it should look like this:

View attachment 7722

Note the collar. Pressure has to be applied to the collar whilst it is lined up with the threads, as the spring is longer than stock by a few millimetres.

This does not alter the size of the servo saver or change the geometry.

If something is higher with you or rubbing - it sounds like an assembly issue or something is bent. Possibly both.
Click to expand...
I also made mistake of installing Ackerman upside down that will also cause it to bind

IMG_6720.webp
 
Please remember that you're dealing directly with a manufacturer - they're not a retailer - so they generally are geared up for bulk orders. Whilst it is possible to buy single springs, to do so is not cost effective. The correct spring is £3.66 per unit. Admin fee for orders below £30 is £12.50.

So it makes much more sense to buy 10 springs and sells/trade the ones which you don't require.

All the new Kagama LE's will need them and there are already reports of steering issues where the thumbscrew is loose out of the factory.
 
Horatio said:
Please remember that you're dealing directly with a manufacturer - they're not a retailer - so they generally are geared up for bulk orders. Whilst it is possible to buy single springs, to do so is not cost effective. The correct spring is £3.66 per unit. Admin fee for orders below £30 is £12.50.

So it makes much more sense to buy 10 springs and sells/trade the ones which you don't require.

All the new Kagama LE's will need them and there are already reports of steering issues where the thumbscrew is loose out of the factory.
Click to expand...
Is it a ‘heavy’ spring for heavy cars with big tires only? Thinking about putting it all (TC) cars, also a more ‘lightweight’ Spark.
 
Sandracer_NL said:
Is it a ‘heavy’ spring for heavy cars with big tires only? Thinking about putting it all (TC) cars, also a more ‘lightweight’ Spark.
Click to expand...
It's a 24N/mm spring, which is ideal for 1/8th trucks and buggies. Might be a bit much for lighter weight TC, but if you like very direct steering, you will probably love it either way. If you clip dots in touring car, you might be more prone to breaking anything fragile in your steering.
 
Horatio

Kagama Thread 'Lee Spring Servo Saver Spring - What you need to know'

I've started this thread to make it easier to find all the info in one place.

It all started here with DaniC's post - how to adjust servo saver:
https://www.corallyforum.com/threads/easiest-way-to-adjust-servo-saver.459/

Back in the day, around 2022, Danny and myself measured up our springs and looked for spring manufacturers that can make bespoke springs.

Lee Spring were selected as the manufacturer of choice. Primarily because they make the right spring, but also because they have global reach.

Speccing a simple compression spring is more technical than people realise...
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Horatio said:
Please remember that you're dealing directly with a manufacturer - they're not a retailer - so they generally are geared up for bulk orders. Whilst it is possible to buy single springs, to do so is not cost effective. The correct spring is £3.66 per unit. Admin fee for orders below £30 is £12.50.

So it makes much more sense to buy 10 springs and sells/trade the ones which you don't require.

All the new Kagama LE's will need them and there are already reports of steering issues where the thumbscrew is loose out of the factory.
Click to expand...
If you order from their USA website the "optimal" number is 5 springs for $40-ish, 4 springs is $60-ish, beyond 5 the price simply increases by the cost of one spring per unit added to the order. Springs are $8.96 per unit.

Steering with the stock spring on pavement is absolute garbage at high speed and I have no idea how anyone at Corally could think it is acceptable.
 
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