Leaf Spring Help?
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Leaf Spring Help?
I drive an 88 f350 long bed 4 door 4x4. The previous owner owned it for a short period of time, then sold it to me. From what he knows, its got an added leaf front and rear. From what i can see, that seems to be the case, and also there are air bags in the rear that are inflated with schrader valves located in each fuel cover. The shocks on it are rancho. I dont know if theres a lift or not.
I think the left rear leaf spring is worn out or something, because its sagging a little and when i drive it its considerably softer in the left. I also was driving the other day and felt crazy, when i got home, the left side U bolts were LOOSE like you could move them both with your hand..
im trying to get a handle on the situation, i think that i need new leaf springs.. im trying to figure out what to do, if i need special leaf springs because of the trucks height, and if i replace the shocks too, how to make sure that theyre long enough.. any help would be appreciated.
I think the left rear leaf spring is worn out or something, because its sagging a little and when i drive it its considerably softer in the left. I also was driving the other day and felt crazy, when i got home, the left side U bolts were LOOSE like you could move them both with your hand..
im trying to get a handle on the situation, i think that i need new leaf springs.. im trying to figure out what to do, if i need special leaf springs because of the trucks height, and if i replace the shocks too, how to make sure that theyre long enough.. any help would be appreciated.
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Michigan
Do you by chance know what pressure is in the right bag versus the left. If the left one was leaking and the right one had a lot of air it would make truck appear to be sagging on one side.
This however wouldn't explain the loose bolts. Just wanted to throw it outthere as a possibility.
This however wouldn't explain the loose bolts. Just wanted to throw it outthere as a possibility.
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it also sounds like one of your leafs broke and fell out. i have had this happen. they crack right along the center and split around the bolt then eventually wiggle out. no you don't need special leafs or bigger shocks. count the leaf springs on each side and make sure they are the same. if one is missing measure how wide. i believe they are 3 inches and go the junk yard and buy one. take your center pin out and install new leaf then put back together
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it also sounds like one of your leafs broke and fell out. i have had this happen. they crack right along the center and split around the bolt then eventually wiggle out. no you don't need special leafs or bigger shocks. count the leaf springs on each side and make sure they are the same. if one is missing measure how wide. i believe they are 3 inches and go the junk yard and buy one. take your center pin out and install new leaf then put back together
also, yes i have equal air bag pressure, i plan on changing the system to a single nipple that evenly distributes the air pressure so i dont have to worry about that. thank you for the imput.
oh and let me know if anyone thinks this is a bad idea.. for any reason. i dont think it will be becuase i dont pull too often but yea..
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: 8600 ft in Colo
Don't hook the airbags together. When you go around a corner, the one on the outside compresses and the one on the inside expands. If you connect them together, air will travel from the outside one to the inside one, increasing body lean...
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