Rear Springs
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: saugus usa
My 96 F-150 XLT shortbed, in-line 6 300cid 104,000 mile:
Truck sagging back left corner. Left rear leaf spring 2nd leaf down from top broke and a piece actually fell out.
Funny thing about this is after it was replaced my slight drifting to the right went away.
2 Questions:
1. I was going to have both sides replaced but mechanic said right side was in excellent shape so I only replaced left side. I thought these should be done in pairs? (I drive light loads almost all the time)
2. $170.00 for (1) spring and $100.00 for labor. I feel the labor was ok but I think the spring was high (4 leaf brand new).
Comments please?
Thanks
Truck sagging back left corner. Left rear leaf spring 2nd leaf down from top broke and a piece actually fell out.
Funny thing about this is after it was replaced my slight drifting to the right went away.
2 Questions:
1. I was going to have both sides replaced but mechanic said right side was in excellent shape so I only replaced left side. I thought these should be done in pairs? (I drive light loads almost all the time)
2. $170.00 for (1) spring and $100.00 for labor. I feel the labor was ok but I think the spring was high (4 leaf brand new).
Comments please?
Thanks
New User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Alberta
I have a 2003 F-150 SuperCrew with a 6750Lb GVRW package and my lowest leaf is twisted to the side as well........ Hmmm. I am taking it to the dealer on the 10th of June to have it fixed. I tow a 5100Lb travel trailer and having this leaf out of alignment really bothers me! Also, there seems to be a snapping sound coming from the rear end while making sharp turns. I think it is coming from this leaf spring. I hope the dealer can perminantly fix this problem.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 1
From: South Texas
My previous 2000 F-150 had the same thing. I told the dealer to check it once when I was getting an oil change, they said it was within specs? My new (to me) 2002 doesn't have it, but I'll keep an eye on it.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Hi smifflin and welcome to FTE 
The overload spring being out of alignment is easy to fix. They will probably loosen the U-bolts and then tap the spring into place and then retighten the U-bolts.
I dont think that is causing a noise though.
Do you have a limited slip rear diff? The clutches in the rear diff could be noisey. The usual cure for that is to add a bottle of Friction Modifier to the oil in the rear end and then drive around in circles for a few minutes to get it into the clutches.
The overload spring being out of alignment is easy to fix. They will probably loosen the U-bolts and then tap the spring into place and then retighten the U-bolts.
I dont think that is causing a noise though.
Do you have a limited slip rear diff? The clutches in the rear diff could be noisey. The usual cure for that is to add a bottle of Friction Modifier to the oil in the rear end and then drive around in circles for a few minutes to get it into the clutches.
Thread Starter
|
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Mine has stayed put every since they realighned it. I noticed the other day that one of the round isolators has fallen out from between two of the leafs though. It isn't making any noise yet, but I will keep an eye on it.
