Painting your leaf springs......

[Big Red 94Ram]

I'm looking at trying to make my ride in my '94 2wd reg cab ride smoother.
Has anyone added graphite powder to paint, so it gives a smooth anti-slippery surface so the springs move more freely?
I've seen graphite paste, but don't think it'll hold up the weather.
I'll be replacing the spring pucks, adding the Teflon sprint liners, new polyurethane bushings and the Sulastic rubber spring upgrade.
Any thoughts?
Thank you.
-Todd-

 

[The patriot]

Never heard of anyone doing the paint thing. At least not specifically for a better ride quality.
Google gunkoat and DuraCoat. Both are made for guns.
I dont know about gunkoat, but I know you can add liquid "lube" to DuraCoat's coatings.
The DuraKoat requires heat to properly cure....at least the coatings I"ve used does. It's been a few years, they may have air cured coatings now. I dont know...
As far as "how much would they help ride"? Who knows....

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I think the items you're adding to the spring packs will most likely improve your ride.

I'm assuming that you are dissembling the entire spring pack before painting, right?

 

[Big Red 94Ram]

That is correct JHawes.

 

[S.Morris]

IF you google Old Man Emu springs (austrailian made) on of their design used a greasable puck above the spring tip of each pack. It is the dia of the spring width and is greasable from underneath each leaf. Used these for years on a LandCruiser and made a huge difference in on road ride.

 

[Big Red 94Ram]

Sounds like a good option, but they don't list Dodge.

 

[Superdawg]

A possible option might be Slip Plate, graphite lubricant. Comes in aerosol and brush on paint. Dries quickly. I used it on my 5th wheel hitch. Of all the graphite sprays, I like this one the best. Get it at Grainger. Quieter yes, smoother, not so sure.

 

[AEdelheit]

I have used a few types of lube for leaf springs, end of the day a thin layer of synthetic grease worked well and havent had any issues with dust. It can help the ride by reducing friction as getting the initial movement is the hardest part but the leaf packs still have a stiff spring rate and no amount of grease can help that.

There is no need to take the packs all the way apart, a chisel works good for separating the tips, with the rear axle off the ground, then use a small putty knife to apply the lubricant.

 

[Big Red 94Ram]

This is what i went with,
http://www.por15.com/FLEXCOTE_p_39.html