Been awhile since I have been to this site and posted anything. This past week I had to replace the driver's side leaf spring, as one leaf broke. I have a 2006 XLT F150 4X4 5.4 super cab. The leaf springs are a total of three. Had a heck of time finding this set first, but did. Got both sides and did both right away. I had a fairly tall standing rear of the truck. Now after the install, it seems to be sitting much lower than before the change (even with the broken leaf). Curious if I did something wrong in the tightening stages.

When getting the new leaf spring set in, I tightened all the bolts before lowering the truck down. Someone mentioned that i might have to loosen the front bolt, and the two on the rear shackle while on the ground, let it settle, and then tighten while all weight is on the truck. Will this really make the standing height return?

Any suggestions on what to do after the fact would be appreciated. Truck seems to ride fine, just concerned about the lack of stock height that I had. As long as it goes and drives fine I guess all is good.

Any thoughts?

 

When you tighten everything before the weight of the vehicle is on the ground you are pre loading the suspension making the height of the vehicle differ than what it should be.

-Junior

 

Thanks Junior! Do you have a suggestion of what to do next? My thought is to jack it up, support it on the stands again, loosen the bolts, lower it back down.. then tighten up. Sound about right?

 

Yup! That sounds good! Did you get around to doing it yet? How did it turn out?

-Junior

 

I have not done the third part yet. Just did the second one last night and had that thought this morning. Will attempt it this weekend. Hoping that jacking up the body, and tightening things will do the trick. If not, in either case I am done!

 

How did you remove the front mount bolt on drivers side leaf? I have 36 gal tank and the only way I see to remove bolt is to drop or "raise" fuel tank to clear bolt.

 

I ended up cutting the bolt, and getting a new bolt and installing the opposite direction! I could not get the tank down, one of the strap bolts was rounding off for some reason. The tank was full (of course always works that way), and felt no real reason to drop it. So, took my sawzall and cut away. Get a grade 8 bolt, nut, and washers (Ford wants too much for the replacement bolt). It is easier than lowering the tank. I had to lower a tank in a different truck (37 gallon) and it was not fun.

On a side note, I was never able to get back the original ride height. I believe I have lost 2" in height with new springs. And the springs are Ford. Maybe shocks will help get some of the height back?

 

Shocks have nothing to do with the height of the truck, unless there to short and preventing the springs from expanding. but you would have known that when you put them back on. Something screwy going on here!!!!!

 

That was the avenue I was heading (something fishy) down as well. After talking with a few people and not getting any positive results or answers other than I must have the wrong leaf springs, I just gave up on trying to "fix" the truck. The only thing I thought is that the shocks might be ready for replacement, and are wore out. But, that may not be the answer either, and have completely given up trying to adjust the height. I have loosened and tightened the bolts on the leaf springs so many times it is nuts. The height is 1/2" different on both sides too. Not sure what else to try or do?

The leaf springs were exact replacement, and had 2 leafs and the helper for a total of 3.

 

Alright after 2 months of letting this go, it is really bothering me more. I want to gain some height back, but most of all I want to eliminate the drop I get witjh hooking up a trailer.

What does anyone suggest? Helper springs? Heavier shocks? The springs I installed were 1500 lbs rated. Seem thinner than the stock ones that came off. Will helper springs keep truck from sagging? Allow some height adjustment to the rear height?

 

Well I finally got a hold of the company that sold me the springs. They sent out a different (heavier) set and I installed them. Amazingly the springs took the truck back to the correct height. Before I installed them, the arch was much greater on the newer ones. I still think the springs were wrong from the get go. Either the wrong set up or not the right arch.

All is good with the correct springs in.