Overload Spring Bump Stop Issue
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Overload Spring Bump Stop Issue
I have a 2008 F450 that when I put my camper on, I have a major squeak in the rear suspension. It has been tracked down to the rear bump stop on the overload springs. With the camper on (and fully loaded), the front bump stop of the overload is not touching but the rear does and because of the curve of the spring, it misses the rubber portion and touches the rear portion of the bracket. This means there is metal on metal and thus the squeak. It is the same on both sides. After researching, have not seen anything mentioned like this. Any ideas as to a solution - is there a different bracket available, can the bracket be remounted at an angle. Can the bracket be modified? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
Sounds like you're right in between where you do and don't need the overloads. Probably the best solution would be to put on a set of airbags and then remove or leave the overloads since they wouldn't be needed any more.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
The bump stops are designed to hit the spring flat when it is compressed, so when not compressed it hits at an angle. Every truck will be a little different, sounds like yours is the extreme.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
Your overload seems to have a lot more curvature than mine do, could be the cause of the problem. Are they definitely factory or could they be aftermarket? Reason I ask, is my overload bump stops are riveted on and yours are bolted.
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Banned
Joined: Aug 2003
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They are definitely factory. I think the 2008 450 was the first with this suspension and the springs might be curved too much. The front of the overload spring is about 1 1/2 inches away when the back is touching.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
You could ovalize the bracket bolt holes a bit so the bracket is rotated a bit to the rear and makes a more parallel contact...
But I also recommend the air bag solution. Triple benefits:
1) Let's you keep the truck off the overloads, no squeak.
2) Let's you level the truck so you don't have to adjust headlights when loaded.
3) If you carry a little compressor, you can use the bags to level the truck and camper when camping. I get about 3" range I can lift or squat my truck... If you have separate valves for each bag, you can level side to side as well as front to rear.
But I also recommend the air bag solution. Triple benefits:
1) Let's you keep the truck off the overloads, no squeak.
2) Let's you level the truck so you don't have to adjust headlights when loaded.
3) If you carry a little compressor, you can use the bags to level the truck and camper when camping. I get about 3" range I can lift or squat my truck... If you have separate valves for each bag, you can level side to side as well as front to rear.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver BC Canada
I would check the other side of the frame where those bumpstop bracket bolts come through. If the bracket had one set position, then you would expect it to be rivited or have a different looking bolt. Maybe the frame has an indexed hole and the brackets have shifted. You can see by the wear mark on the spring that there was contact being made on the pad of the bump stop at some point.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 843
Likes: 6
From: Jessup, PA
It's hard to believe that is a factory setup. Like mwsF250 was saying, the bracket should be rotated so it is parallel with the leaf.
Here is a pic of mine. Notice how the stop is rotated to hit the leaf square (90*). My stops are also riveted on like someone eluded to with the factory setup.
Here is a pic of mine. Notice how the stop is rotated to hit the leaf square (90*). My stops are also riveted on like someone eluded to with the factory setup.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,671
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From: Itinerant
It's hard to believe that is a factory setup. Like mwsF250 was saying, the bracket should be rotated so it is parallel with the leaf.
Here is a pic of mine. Notice how the stop is rotated to hit the leaf square (90*). My stops are also riveted on like someone eluded to with the factory setup.
Here is a pic of mine. Notice how the stop is rotated to hit the leaf square (90*). My stops are also riveted on like someone eluded to with the factory setup.
