In a spring quandry
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
In a spring quandry
Hey guys,
As some of you may have read from my OTHER THREAD in the Excursion forum my Ex purchase didn't go as smoothly as I would have liked. All four springs are shot; the fronts are riding 1/2" from the jounce bumpers and the rears are exhibiting noticeable sag under the tongue weight of a light trailer. On top of that I can feel the clunking of axle wrap whenever I get on the gas, which is mildly annoying compared to the rest of the problems.
So my question is whether or not any of you guys have been successful at cheating this by installing airbags instead of new springs? I don't think I can get away with this on the front because of how bad they are, my concern is that even if the airbags support the truck the springs are less able to properly locate the axle and may eventually crack and break. But I'm not so sure of this on the rear, as other than an irritating clunk every now and then I'm not sure of any reason not to just install airbags.
This thing needs a good deal more work than I was planning on doing to it, and therefore I'm trying to spend as little as possible. To make matters worse I have to have it ready for a cross country move towing ~12,000 lbs around the first of October!
What do you guys think?
As some of you may have read from my OTHER THREAD in the Excursion forum my Ex purchase didn't go as smoothly as I would have liked. All four springs are shot; the fronts are riding 1/2" from the jounce bumpers and the rears are exhibiting noticeable sag under the tongue weight of a light trailer. On top of that I can feel the clunking of axle wrap whenever I get on the gas, which is mildly annoying compared to the rest of the problems.
So my question is whether or not any of you guys have been successful at cheating this by installing airbags instead of new springs? I don't think I can get away with this on the front because of how bad they are, my concern is that even if the airbags support the truck the springs are less able to properly locate the axle and may eventually crack and break. But I'm not so sure of this on the rear, as other than an irritating clunk every now and then I'm not sure of any reason not to just install airbags.
This thing needs a good deal more work than I was planning on doing to it, and therefore I'm trying to spend as little as possible. To make matters worse I have to have it ready for a cross country move towing ~12,000 lbs around the first of October!
What do you guys think?
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
Quick, cheap band-aid fix that works, especially for towing is adding the RAS.
Riffraff Diesel: Roadmaster Active Suspension Kit
Stewart
Riffraff Diesel: Roadmaster Active Suspension Kit
Stewart
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
I would grab Superduty springs for as little as possible from junkyard AND do the RAS. Once you are settled in new home you can go back and dial in the suspension. You may even like it with SD springs considering you've had 2 SD's previously
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,180
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From: Georgia
I have X/C codes going on mine this week finally! I got them from SD Truck Springs when they had their sale back in May. Just have not had time to put them on yet. If they are that badly worn, I would change them out. My rears are ok, new ones going in anyway, but front ones are shot. I put brand new bump stops on mine a year ago and this is what they looked like last week.
and the left looks like this now
.
I sincerely hope that she will be much better Thursday after she gets her 'lifestyle' lift done
According to guys here, she should be just great.
and the left looks like this now
.I sincerely hope that she will be much better Thursday after she gets her 'lifestyle' lift done
According to guys here, she should be just great.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
This evening I decided to see how the springs handle a known weight. So I took 840 lbs of sand and threw it in the back:
And it actually looked pretty good:
With some room left on the bump stops
So perhaps the fact that my rear bump stops are a little beat up is more a reflection on the **** poor condition of the shocks rather than the springs being as weakened as I first thought. I think I'm going to replace the fronts with whichever spring code is higher than my current ones and throw airbags on the back for the upcoming trip. Can someone get me some info on the spring codes and weight ratings of the various springs?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 627
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From: Orange County, CA
My Ex had airbags so I was able to limp along for awhile. But seriously, dude, you are going to want to do the spring swap. Your kidneys will thank you, believe me. 
I finally got some new leafs and it rides a lot better. Good luck with that. I wish I knew how to do all that stuff myself. You are a trooper!
Take care,
karl.
I finally got some new leafs and it rides a lot better. Good luck with that. I wish I knew how to do all that stuff myself. You are a trooper!
Take care,
karl.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
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I agree with the guys above about using the RAS for your current situation to help with the weak rear springs.
As far as your clunk you may also want to investigate the drive shaft spines that need some special grease.
Here is a link with some more info on it.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...d-splines.html
Tim M
As far as your clunk you may also want to investigate the drive shaft spines that need some special grease.
Here is a link with some more info on it.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...d-splines.html
Tim M
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Super Moderator
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From: Isanti, MN
Thanks Tim, I appreciate you digging the link up for me. Greasing the slip joint is on my list of stuff to do, and I'm hoping that solves the clunking problem. For some reason I was thinking it was axle wrap, and part of that is how beat up the rubber bumper is on the overload spring. But that could also be caused by nonfunctioning shocks.
Got some new shocks on the way though, they arrive on Thursday thanks to TrdLtly.
Got some new shocks on the way though, they arrive on Thursday thanks to TrdLtly.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,254
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I just finished reading your other post and as you mentioned you do have that on your To-Do list, excellent. I hope that solves the clunk.
Looks like you are off to a good start and you seem to know your way around the mechanics of vehicles.
Tim M
Looks like you are off to a good start and you seem to know your way around the mechanics of vehicles.
Tim M
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
I think I got this figured out. After lots of thought and conversation with Stewart, I orderd V-code springs for the front. I'll be ordering airbags for the rear as soon as I get home. It's gonna be a busy weekend! 
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Super Moderator
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From: Isanti, MN
Thanks Tim, I'll be sure to pick some up. My wife will be picking them up with the springs from Tousley tomorrow!