Looking for any info on re-arcing leaf springs. Is this something that can be done at home. Thanks in advance.

 

I don't recomend re-arching. It may lift the truck back up but it only lasts for awhile. It's not permanant. Are your springs saging or are you looking for a lift? There is a company in Cali that does re-arhing. It was like $100 per spring pack plus shipping. I really don't think it can be done at home though. I could be wrong.

 

I played with this question for awhile and even went to the junk yard to pull some good used ones. It's tough to get them off once they have been there for years. I opted for Air Lift bags and have been happy. Helps with my fifth wheel load and can be adjucted quick and easy. About $285.00 for the kit and about 2-3 hours for install.

MT

 

Yes, you can arch springs at home. With average use they will hold. There are better options.

 

There are helper springs that can be installed on the rear axle. I had two on my '72 LTD, and they worked like a charm.

 

This is news to me! How do you arch them at home?

Re-arching springs makes them ride a lot stiffer than they do new so if you do have the springs arched expect your ride to be less comfortable. If they're sagging I'd recommend new springs over a re-arch any day. If they just sag with heavy loads I'd second MT's suggestion and get air bags.

 

I stated their are better options. I have had no complaints about stiffer rides. Does not compute. Just happy customers with a level ride.

 

I had my F-53 chassis leveled up today at a local spring company. The passenger side of my 32 ft. motorhome was 2 inches lower than the driver's side. Very noticible in the garage. They re-arched the right rear spring in order to lower the driver corner which was too high. So far it seems very satisfactory. The spring company has experts who decide why and what to do to level the rig. I just left it in their hands, and am happy with the work. About $200. I had thought it would be much more . . . Dick Baxter

 

how could we re-arc springs at home!

 

As an experiment, I took an old leaf and used my press to re-arc the single leaf.
I secured two thick bars to the table of the press, spaced them around 3" apart.
I secured a single thick bar to the moving part of the press.
Layed the end of the leaf on the two bars and pressed the top bar down until it bent the leaf a bit. I made a mark on the press so I could return the press to the same position. I then released the pressure, slid the leaf spring into the press a couple of inches and pressed it again. After I slid and pressed, slid and pressed my way along the length of the leaf, it was most definately re-arced. The spring shop I visited uses rollers in a press to do the same thing I did.
...Terry

 

How big a boy are ya? Nah it takes heat and hydraulics to re-arch springs. my dad has his re-arched on his '77 E150 and they also added 2 leafs to each side. After installing them, it sat more to one side so he had to block one side up. 20 years later they're still sittin fine after pullin a boat every year. As for me and my '73, it sat exactly level front to back but any load on the back would drop it to the ground. So i took some measurments, went to my local yard, found some springs on a f150 that were the same width and snagged them. Then I took the ones off that set and used the leaves that were between the sizes (length wise) I already had on my truck. After installing two leafs more on each side, she sat about 2 inches higher in the rear and squats level when loaded. Not sure about your vehicle but my truck looks me w/ a 2" incline from front to rear. Oh ya, the springs cost $65 from the yard and $5 for two center bolts. Pretty cheap and I learned alot doin it.

 

can you add spring to the fronttill be safe

 

Dear Thread86?
If I were you I would take it to Toledo Spring Co., and let the experts decide.

 

Heat is a leaf springs worst enemy.....I would let the pro's handle it. I live in San Antonio,TX. and found ACE spring company local to re-arch my 1980 Bronco rear springs. They re-arched,re-bushed and painted the 2 rear spring packs for $120 bucks(no shipping). I notice my bronco rides alot better with the re-arched springs because they were worn out before hand (almost flat-no arch). Over the years ive learned not to skimp on some things and your trucks running gear is one of them. Hope this helps! Check out my gallery to see the bronco if you want.

Ron

 

heres a decent video about "how" to do it, not much in the way of details but its sufficient.
this one is from a pro spring shop And this one is mentioned as the inspiration in the first video i posted, even if you dont care about leaf springs this video is absolutely worth the watch just for entertainment, but behind the humor he does a pretty good job of explaining the spring bending process too..