2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rear Leaf Springs

[WDaniels]

Has anyone ever had to replace their rear leaf springs because they are worn out? Do they wear out? When I drive and the rear goes over a bump, the top helper springs will slap the stops on the frame. Drives me crazy. If I put some weight in the back, it of course gets worse until I load up the back until it seats the springs on the stops. Would love to hear about anyones experience with this problem.

WD

 

[bheiting]

Take a gander at the TDR BuyersGuide (link on homepage) Somewere in it is
mention of a rubber pipe connector with hose clamps. Sounds like the ticket to me.
You just slide it over the leaf and tighten the clamps.

 

[SnoKing]

Maybe you need not shocks! SNOKING

 

[fest3er]

Old springs can lose their temper. It's why you see old cars 'squatting' down low to the ground. Mine are still the 'right way' unloaded, but they do tend to invert with a load; that tells me they are weak.

Unladen, are the leaves still somewhat U-shaped? If the U shape is inverted, they're shot. If they invert with a light load, they're far too weak. If they invert with a moderate load, they're tired.

It might be possible to re-temper the leaves. Or as a stop-gap, you might get away with adding a leaf, which fixed my slouching F150 15 or so years ago.

Oh, and congrats on hitting 1,000 posts!

 

[kenny61]

Did you check the rear spring hangers? they rot and and cause a bang

 

[WDaniels]

SNOKING, Shocks are fairly new and it will do this with brand new shocks.



Fest2er, Lots of arch on these. This is the only truck I've had that the springs slap the stops.



kenny61, good idea, didn't think of that before so I went out and checked, they are good.



I don't think that it is anything that will hurt the truck. It just drives me crazy to listen to it.

WD

 

[DMcLeod]

bumps

It could just be these Fairbanks roads! I drove outside last year... . what a diff.