I have been debating buying new leaf springs but am wondering if I need to. None are cracked and the truck isn't sagging. I did look at the bushings though and they are in rough shape. I was wondering what effect just changing the bushings would have on ride quality? Is it advisable to just change them and leave the leafs? It would save quite a bit of money. The truck is pretty old, 2002 5.4l, so I'm not sure if the leafs should be upgraded just on age alone. They are pretty rusty here in ny. I believe there are 2 leafs in front and 7 in back. Most of the hardware would also need to be replaced, so if I can skimp on the springs and just spend on the bolts, hangers, bushings, etc I'd be pretty happy.

 

Two in the front is stock but seven in the rear someone added springs for payload capacity. And it depends on whether you plan to keep the truck or not? You have to remove the springs for new bushings so the work is the same up to that part if the springs are rusted it depends on what stage, surface rust or deep layered rust? You might be better off finding a newer set from a junk yard and just swapping them in

 

Age OLD problem.

14 years old, unknown amount of weight carried.

then weather, rust, fatigue, metal relaxation.

expectation of cost over time remaining of truck

have fun getting the bushings out of rusted springs.




Ride quality .. none. bushings are for spring/truck movement and vibrations... not Ride.

 

Go with SDScalers idea and agree with Chuck. 7 springs is not stock so it had to be beefed up to carry something heavy so there a lot of wear.