Rides very rough new 285 16 tires 8 ply 50psi new front shocks, 140,000 miles on truck. aprox 2 inches between front springs and bump stops. Negetive arch in front springs. Ive been told i need new front springs and i believe it but how do i know for sure? 7.5 and auto thanks

 

I believe thats your sign.

Also, is it possible to mount these upside down? I'd check that too....

 

most F250s i've seen have the negative arch...seems normal to me. Every 250 I've ever riden in rides rough...

 

The Dana 50 TTB axles have negative arch springs. Don't worry about that. If you mean that it seems like it lunges when you hit bumps, thats what those axles do. Personally I hate the design of them and I find them to be really weak, so I swapped to a Dana 44 straight axle. That spacing isnt a big deal either. A big block weighs more than a small block and they used the same springs for both so thats typical. Its all just the design...the terrible, TERRIBLE design.

 

F250's ride rough, that's how they are. IIRC the tire pressure should be 55 front 80 rear. Negative arch is normal for these trucks, the front springs are fairly long.

 

I have a 1978 Bronco with 4 inch lift that rides better than this truck, i mean it is bone jarring rough feel every bump in the road .this cant be normal and im looking for answers. i was told the front springs have to much neg arch how do i measure or know for sure? ?

 

Do you have pictures of the arch or the stance of the truck?

 

Not at this time but truck looks normal and i replaced front spring bushings and pivot bushings. This truck looks beatiful like its always been garaged and never off road.

 

Mine hits pretty good on bumps too, so much so that having an open cup in the cupholder is a bad idea. Mine sat level with a 28' 7500# trailer hooked up to it, the same trailer made an 08 Chevy 1500 sag really bad. 250HDs are designed to haul and pull so they have thicker, harder spring packs. The Bronco isn't designed to be a hauler, so it has lower spring rates for a better ride.

 

My F250HD 4X4 has reversed arch front springs, too. That's normal.

With 235/85-16 Duratracs, it has been known to skitter when crossing bad sections of pavement on 680 freeway, empty or lightly loaded. Those are ones that would swallow a VW bug whole. Rough ride is normal, too. These are not sissy trucks to cruise the mall with - they are real trucks meant to work hard.

Admittedly, the reversed shackles in front do not contribute to a smooth ride and the TTB having to twist the leafs to articulate doesn't help, either. Of all the Fords, this is possibly the roughest riding one of the lot. Still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe Deville.

You do have to work with the tire pressures because running the recommended (full load) 50/80 frt/rear will wear the centers of the tread badly running light or empty. I'm running more like 40 frt and 55 rear. Tread wear looks good, too.

Ray

 

I would have repped you for this, if I could!!

It took me awhile to figure out the tires, and I'm still playing with the pressure. I'm on my 3rd set of used tires because my fronts kept wearing funny. My latest set are in great shape, and I'm hoping I have the pressure right, because I like these tires. Once I can confirm they are wearing right, I'll buy a brand new set, just like these.

If I had wanted a truck that rode better, I would have found a 150, or a Dodge...But we needed a stronger, more capable truck that we didn't have to worry about killing the suspension with overloading.

My old farm truck, which is still in service in southern Ohio, is a GMC K3500 flatbed. If you think the F250 is a horrible ride, you need to ride in one of these! The only time it's smooth is when it's towing a load of livestock...even then, it's not a friendly truck. That was back when GM actually made a decent work truck! I've had it loaded with over 2-ton of payload and it still doesn't squat much.

Basically, if you want a softer ride, you'd be giving up load capability.

Replacing all the bushings won't soften the ride, it will actually stiffen it up a bit.

Air down the tires a bit, and keep about 800 pounds of sand or concrete bags in the bed, and it WILL be more comfortable...just keep an eye on tread wear.

 

I too have only about 2" between the springs and the bump stops.
It's been this way since day one.

Running stock sized E-rated 235/85 R16's I find inflation pressures of 50/70 best compromise between ride and load carrying with the amount of tools I have in the bed at all times.

 

I had somebody look at the truck he said I over tighten the spring hangers when I replace the bushings it seems to ride better now thanks for your input

 

I run much less air pressure in mine-45psi front and 35psi rear
It still rides rough, but it's a big improvement.
If you're hauling a lot of weight or towing anything disregard this.

 

My F350 4X4 is dubbed "kidney-buster". Not as rough as an old WWII era Harley I had, though. Now that's a real kidney-shatterer.

I run 60? PSI front, 80 rear.

Buy a car if you want ride. Or a F150 2wd.