So I got bored today and decided to dig up my TSB Isolator kit I bought in 04' probably. Decided I'd get rid of the annoying squeak/groan that's plagued my truck so long, I can't even remember it being quiet. This isn't for clunks or "bumps", but will address the "pop" experienced while steering from a dead stand still (like to the locks.)
Here's the kit and its contents.
Here is what was on the truck
Before today, I didn't even know the front of the springs had isolators in there. I recall bringing the truck in for warranty concerning a pop I would experience while stationary and turning left. You could see the two leaves "pop" on the drivers side as they would "slide" on the horizontal axis. WAY back then, this was the problem!
Here's how I removed & replaced the old ones.
Once the truck is supported by jack stands just aft of the front spring pak, you lower the front axle to unload the springs. You can easily "pry" the lower leaf from the upper one gaining access to the isolators. Mine were worn through completely... years ago probably, so I had to work a little harder to remove because I had to push that mounting "button" back up through the hole, and then slide it out. You'll see why that's an issue, because your fingers are in great peril.
Verdict...
Silent as a church mouse now! You could shave in the shiny spots between the spring leafs where the old isolators had worn away. Only took about an hour, and that was with taking some pics. I took no pics of me actually removing or installing the isolators for safety reasons. Not having the services of a production crew, I couldn't pry the leaf, position the isolator, and take the picture... with out risking a digit! Hope this can help someone.
__________________
Casper - Early 99' Upgraded to 99.5' F250 XLT SWB PSD, 4x4, GTP38R, Adrenalin, OE Swamps AD Injs, EBPV Delete, Perf Friction 2-pcs rotors, 4" MBRP turbo back, AFE, 6leaker OEM cooler, Detroit TruTrac, BTS, Lunar Autometer gauges, NVK4 w/(BTS Tunes/DP-F6C) 140vIDM, 238k mi SVO ConversionUpdated SVO stuff
Great write with pics! I did the same thing and man what a difference this makes!
__________________ Danny PAA member #12
SoCal Chapter Member
E99 F-350 Dually Van turbo 4x4 CC LB 7.3L, AFE intake, 3 gauge pillar, 4" Magnaflow SS str8-pipe, DP Tuner, Swamps 175/146 SS inj, ARP head and bottom studs, Comp 910 springs, ITP Ovrbst, CCV mod, SS HPX, home made Reg-return, Foil Del, ZooDad, Air Horns 320hp/704tq
My truck was squeaking as well and after some research I found that the kit you used wouldn't work on my '04. So, I put in some teflon "donuts" on mine until I can get some new spring pads. Hopefully this spring.
Mine's quiet as a mouse again too, for the moment.
A) do they make different isolator kits for different spring codes? i bought a kit once but there was no way it was going to fit my springs. my kit was very narrow and my springs were 2." or 3" wide or something.
B) what tool did you use to shove in there and get the spring packs apart like that? i can see part of the jaws of it or something but am curious on what to get to hold them open to get isolators in there.
C) one person or two person job?
Great write up. would like to do to mine if i could get the proper hold open tool and then draw a pentagram, sacrifice a chicken and summon the demonic strength it must take to get the spring packs to separate far enough to get the isolators in there.
__________________ GRANT 2001 F-250 Lariat CC 4x4 HPX, 6637, DP Tuner, AIH Delete, CCV, WW, CCK, Muffler Delete, Stancor GPR with LED, 03 Projector Headlights, bilsteins 2001 Excursion Limited 4x4 HPX, 6637, DP Tuner, AIH Delete, CCV, WW, Banks Big Head W/G, 03 Projector Headlights, bilsteins
A) do they make different isolator kits for different spring codes? i bought a kit once but there was no way it was going to fit my springs. my kit was very narrow and my springs were 2." or 3" wide or something.
B) what tool did you use to shove in there and get the spring packs apart like that? i can see part of the jaws of it or something but am curious on what to get to hold them open to get isolators in there.
C) one person or two person job?
Great write up. would like to do to mine if i could get the proper hold open tool and then draw a pentagram, sacrifice a chicken and summon the demonic strength it must take to get the spring packs to separate far enough to get the isolators in there.
Thanks, that's funny right there... my little girl got this Halligan type hammer for fathers day some years back.
(love my baby), so I try to use it when I can , even though I'm scared to death I'm just going to break the thing (would never really use it in an extrication) This is certainly a one man job as long as you have strong, pretty tall jack stands. I easily could separate the rear leaves with only that 18" tool, the fronts required my partner, Gorilla! I could separate the leaves with the small tool, but it kept wanting to slide out releasing the spring with a fair amount of hate and discontent. My fingers are just to dear to me, so I called in the bigger guns. Using the REAL crow bar, you will just hold a steady pressure and be able to keep the spring separated. To easy.
Don't know about the different sizes, my springs are "U" codes for a F250, I should be able to go up to the "X"s with no modification, so perhaps they gave you the wrong kit, or it may have been for the rear leaf pack. I've read kits only having 4 pcs in them.
To be fair though, this kit is OLD... I can't even believe I haven't lost it in all the moves. (Army)
__________________
Casper - Early 99' Upgraded to 99.5' F250 XLT SWB PSD, 4x4, GTP38R, Adrenalin, OE Swamps AD Injs, EBPV Delete, Perf Friction 2-pcs rotors, 4" MBRP turbo back, AFE, 6leaker OEM cooler, Detroit TruTrac, BTS, Lunar Autometer gauges, NVK4 w/(BTS Tunes/DP-F6C) 140vIDM, 238k mi SVO ConversionUpdated SVO stuff
I had to use a crowbar too- and one time the damn thing came flying off with a vengeance, hitting me square on te forehead. I tell ya, I was seeing stars!! I also used a lotta ball hitch grease for extra measure.
__________________ Danny PAA member #12
SoCal Chapter Member
E99 F-350 Dually Van turbo 4x4 CC LB 7.3L, AFE intake, 3 gauge pillar, 4" Magnaflow SS str8-pipe, DP Tuner, Swamps 175/146 SS inj, ARP head and bottom studs, Comp 910 springs, ITP Ovrbst, CCV mod, SS HPX, home made Reg-return, Foil Del, ZooDad, Air Horns 320hp/704tq
Hate to re-hash this post for you, It's been dormant for awhile. But where can I get this kit? My local dealer wants to charge $20 each for spacers. This kit seems to have more substance to it. I have a 1994 F250 4x4 I think this kit would be universal for all leaf springs.
This forum is owned and operated by Internet Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation. It is not authorized or endorsed by the Ford Motor Company and is not affiliated with the Ford Motor Company or its related companies in any way. FordŽ is a registered trademark of the Ford Motor Company.
Front Suspension squeak/creak... does yours?
You could shave in the shiny spots between the spring leafs where the old isolators had worn away. Only took about an hour, and that was with taking some pics. I took no pics of me actually removing or installing the isolators for safety reasons. Not having the services of a production crew, I couldn't pry the leaf, position the isolator, and take the picture... with out risking a digit! 
Hope this can help someone.
, even though I'm scared to death I'm just going to break the thing (would never really use it in an extrication) This is certainly a one man job as long as you have strong, pretty tall jack stands. I easily could separate the rear leaves with only that 18" tool, the fronts required my partner, Gorilla! I could separate the leaves with the small tool, but it kept wanting to slide out releasing the spring with a fair amount of hate and discontent. My fingers are just to dear to me, so I called in the bigger guns. Using the REAL crow bar, you will just hold a steady pressure and be able to keep the spring separated. To easy.
I've read kits only having 4 pcs in them.
