Front Leaf Springs Arc
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Ft. Worth
Front Leaf Springs Arc
Hello All, Anybody know what the front leaf spring arc is supposed to be on a stock F-250 xlt. On my truck...the leaf springs are flat or sag below the axle and I only have 1/2" clearance between the bump stop and axle. I put on front air bags and new shocks, but I think I should have put on new leaf springs as well...What do you guys think? I am thinking new springs but don't know what to get...Seems like I should get something in the 3000 lb range cuz I pull 5th wheel.
Any advice or suggestions welcome...Thanks
Any advice or suggestions welcome...Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
Supposedly, thats about right for an older F-250 (going by the year in your signature... 1986) I know it seems weird, but they are a flat to reverse arc normally. I'm a little confused though, normally people add air bags for extra weight capacity or to level out loads (more so in the rear). With air bags, you shouldn't need new springs to handle the loads. Also a 5th wheel puts most of the load on the rear axle. Yes some will go to the front, but again the air bags are there for that...
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,250
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The F-250s from this era are supposed to have a flat front spring when the off the truck, so with the weight of the truck on it, it should have a negative arch. How much exactly, I don't know. I have a feeling mine have sunk with time as yours have as well.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Ft. Worth
Front Spring Arc
Yeah...it seems like every elder f250 I see has flat to slightly reversed arcs...I was worried about only having 1/2" to 1" distance between the bump stop and axle...But I installed the air bags to help lift the front end a little to help the new shocks out some to stop that evil bottoming out on our rough hiways...
They (air bags) really do help...With about 10 psi it has really smoothed out the ride with and without towing my 5th wheel...not rough riding at all...I suppose if someone was to pump em up to 30, 40, 50 psi or more the ride would be rough...
They (air bags) really do help...With about 10 psi it has really smoothed out the ride with and without towing my 5th wheel...not rough riding at all...I suppose if someone was to pump em up to 30, 40, 50 psi or more the ride would be rough...
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Ft. Worth
Year of truck
If your asking BeerCan 500 (me), the year is in my signature at the bottom of this message...
But, for ease...I have a 1986 F-250 XLT 4 X 4...
But, for ease...I have a 1986 F-250 XLT 4 X 4...
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 148
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From: Holland, VA
I have a 1987 F250 4X4 with the 460 and a 1990 F250 4X4 with the 7.3 idi...both trucks need leveling kits due to excessive front-end sagging. Does anyone know of leveling kits for either of these trucks? It looks like a replay of The Snake vs The Mongoose in my driveway!
Thanks
Thanks
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 861
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From: AZ
Yes the negative sag is normal, how much ???? Would you be interested in having them re-arced that's a cheap and easy way to fix it as long as there's a suspension shop near you that can do it.
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From: Southern California
The correct repair is to have them re-arc'ed (hot not cold process) which any good spring shop can do...they will be restored to oem specs and function excellent!
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Leveling kit for OBS ford
Hello All, Anybody know what the front leaf spring arc is supposed to be on a stock F-250 xlt. On my truck...the leaf springs are flat or sag below the axle and I only have 1/2" clearance between the bump stop and axle. I put on front air bags and new shocks, but I think I should have put on new leaf springs as well...What do you guys think? I am thinking new springs but don't know what to get...Seems like I should get something in the 3000 lb range cuz I pull 5th wheel.
Any advice or suggestions welcome...Thanks
Any advice or suggestions welcome...Thanks
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