'92 D250 Suspension issues/questions

[Dobrien]

We have a '92 D250 HD TD with a suspension issue. I hope I've posted this in the right place. I don't post very often. We have over 210,000 miles on the truck. Except for coil springs, I completely rebuilt the front suspension (bushings, tie-rod ends, ball joints etc. ) about 30,000 - 40,000 miles ago. The left side of the truck "sags" a little. It becomes very noticeable when we have our camper on the truck (2400 LBS). We usually have a fiberglass shell (about 350 - 400 LBS) on the truck when the camper is not on it. The front left wheel well opening is 31 1/4" from the ground. The right side is 31 3/4 from the ground. The rear left wheel opening is 35" from the ground and the right is 35 3/4" from the ground. I also have overload springs installed. These measurements were taken with the fiberglass shell on the truck. I measured it on a level garage floor. I was thinking of adding air shocks to the rear and maybe a shim or coil spring booster, the kind that "twist" in to give more space between coils and "lift" the vehicle. But those seem to just be band aids. I live in Southern California's Inland Empire area. I can replace the rear leaf springs and over load springs my self. But replacing the front coils springs is something left for a shop in my opinion. I am looking for a good reliable place that I can purchase the rear leaf springs from and I am looking for a place that can do the front coil springs. If there is some one in my area that can help replace the coils springs, that would be appreciated. Please let me know what you think.

 

[SierraRam]

The springs will sag over time and the driver side carries the fuel tank and the driver so there is more weight on that side the majority of the time. 1/2" difference seems pretty normal to me. I would put air bags on the rear to adjust for the weight difference especially with the camper on board.

 

[Dobrien]

The springs will sag over time and the driver side carries the fuel tank and the driver so there is more weight on that side the majority of the time. 1/2" difference seems pretty normal to me. I would put air bags on the rear to adjust for the weight difference especially with the camper on board.

SieraRam... . Do you think that will take care of the front suspension sag once the rear is leveled out?

 

[Paychk]

Dodge put out a service bulletin for this issue and the fix was a 1" spacer for the drivers side front coil. It was placed on top of the spring.

 

[Dobrien]

Dodge put out a service bulletin for this issue and the fix was a 1" spacer for the drivers side front coil. It was placed on top of the spring.

Paychk. Thanks, I'll look up the S/B and check it out through my Dodge dealer. If it hasn't been done, I'll get it done. I'm the second second owner, if you don't include the two dealers that owned it prier to me.

 

[NIsaacs]

Since the spring needs to be removed to install the spacer, I would just go ahead and replace the front springs. They all sag over time. I bought mine from Napa. Go on line to Napa's web site and do your own search for the most heavy duty spring available. If you don't, the parts person might sell you a standard heavy duty. If you can replace the rear springs, you can also replace the fronts. They just look kind of difficult, they really are not.



Nick

 

[RedRamAndy]

Howdy Dobrien,

Those front springs really aren't much of a job to do. That is, if you have a lower balljoint press. I have a cheapo one from H Freight that works fine. I replaced them along with shocks (for a D350) when I did the springs. I got my springs from AutoZone delivered to my house. Feel free to check on this topic. https://www.turbodieselregister.com...-front-spring-lower-balljoint-relacement.html