I have a question about a clunk and some movement. I have a 350 SRW 4x4. I had a set of 2.5in pro comp leaf packs added 5 years ago or more. I am hearing and feeling in the floor a strong clunk when I drop off the pavement into some dirt at the end off the road maybe 3-4in. I lifted the truck and put the prybar under the tire and lifted and there is no movement at the ball joints (replaced at 100k with moog have 125K now). I also replaced the sway bar bushings and there is no play there in the endlinks as well. What I did next though provided some interest. I let the truck down on jack stands but on the frame not the axle allowing the leafs to become unsprung. I put the crow bar between the shackle and the round end of the leafs and pushed up and down and there was a good amount og play in there. I took a video of it to see if anyone else thought this was not normal and what kinda fixes were out there. If its bad should I just replace the entire leaf pack or just replace the bushings. Not sure if they are serviceable. Here is a link to the you tube video of the crow bar in the shackle. Let me know what you think. Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rbm1BdF_Kk&feature=g-upl&context=G2f1ee74AUAAAAAAAAAA

 

hard to see from that angle if the rubber bushing is just deflecting or if its actualy worn out..

that movement might be normal if its just the bushing deflecting.. but if that movement is just "free" movement around the bushing then yea somethings worn.

 

I cant really see inside to tell if the bushing is deflecting that much. I will take another look as soon as I can but it will probably take a few days as its a pain in the neck to test with jacking the truck up and all. IF the bushing is shot and the bolt is moving around inside the bushing are the bushings replaceable? Would you even replace cost wise? Not sure if I would just replace the leaf pack so I have nice new freash springs?
Thanks for the input

 

Unless your springs are showing signs of distress, I would simply install new bushings and be done with it. My '01 is making similar sounds, so thanks for showing your video. I think you have too much play in that bushing, per the video. Even with (soft) rubber bushings, you should not see that much play.

 

thats bad bushings for sure, you can buy new rubber bushings or poly from ProComp , heres a link to summit for them
Pro Comp Suspension Systems 90-3806 - Pro Comp Leaf Spring Bushing Sets - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

funny your having this problem, i just installed Pro Comp 2.5" level springs on my F350 part #22210. And only five months later im having almost the same thud in my front end now? I have all brand new Moog ball joints, shocks, ujoints etc and i still cant find this noise, at least now i have a direction to look at now, my brand new leaf springs!

 

I Just called a shop down the street I use for things like this that I dont feel like laying on my back in the drive way for and labor to install the bushings is $240. I am thinking new leafs though only because he is telling me that like $150 of that is beacause he has to press the bushings and sometimes its a real pain. He said if I buy new leafs for about $130 a side he would install them for like $150 bucks so its like the money I am saving on the bushings I can have new leafs. He said that even though the leafs arent showing alot of wear to remember that they have been holding up that engine and truck for 8 years and 125k mi. They do sag over time and if you are going through having to take them out anyways you might as well use some of the money from pushing bushings to just the new parts. Its final price with just bushings parts and labor is about $300 and new leafs installed is about $460. Thats $140 per pack and $180 for install. Kinda a no brainer to me to not have to be on my back all day. The place is a block away from work. Drop it off in the am and at 5 they bring it over to me cant get much easier.

 

You might even get $50-100 for your old springs on Craigslist.

 

Ok update and questions. The guy is telling me that he has to take off the bumper to get the leafs out because there is no space to get the front shackle bolt out. Does that sound right? I looked last night and it looks tight to get those bolts out but not sure really. How hard is it to take off the bumper? two man job I am sure. Also now I am being told I will need an alignment. There goes another $100. My $325 for leafs with ubolts and all is now up to $690. Because he is telling me its $240 to swap the leafs not $150. Does all this sound about right?

Thanks Almost starting to think maybe its worth my 6-8 hours at home in the drive way but would still need the alignment right?

 

im sorry but your mechanic friend is ripping you off! I did my front leaf springs by myself in about five hours. Yes you have to take the front bumper off but its only four bolts, takes about forty seconds, pick it up and lay it on the grass, it weighs about thirty pounds

 

I agree its alot. I have air tools and every socket imaginable past 3in. I am sure i cam do i was concerned about time verse cost. Also what about alignment? There is. Locating pin in the leaf and the axle. Why wouldnt it be straight. I am not messing with the knuckles or anything really with steering.

 

Also i changed leafs on class 8trucks before so chamging them is a no brainer. But can somone direct me to which bolts take te bumper off i dont count 4

 

Also i changed leafs on class 8trucks before so chamging them is a no brainer. But can somone direct me to which bolts take te bumper off i dont count 4 i count 6? The 4 big ones out front by the tow hooks and one on each side behind against frame? Still not sure

 

im sorry i forgot the two on the inner bumper support brackets, make it six total. I have a 20ton press and when i installed bushings in my 78 F150 i still had to use a torch to heat the bushing a little,then they slid right out with no problem