I have a 1989 E 350 motorhome chassis, GVW 11,000 pounds. Can anyone provide the specs for the height of the rear axle? Mine see to be taking on a reverse arch, leaving about 2.5 to 3 inches between axle and rubber bumper on frame. Is this about normal, or are the springs sagging? No cracks showing, but after 26 years may be time for new ones. Any help appreciated, thanks

 

If the rear leaf springs have assumed a reverse arch then you have problems back there.

I'd contact a local big truck spring shop for their best recommendation. Avoid RV specialty shops as they're probably not as experienced nor as fairly priced as a higher volume outfit would be.

I myself wouldn't be a bit surprised to find the rear springs in an almost constant overload (or close to it) condition. Some RV converters just weren't that contentious with matching chassis specs to the real everyday loads they'd experience.

HTH

 

Are the springs flat or are they actually arching backwards?

 

I'll agree with JWA on finding a local Big Truck Spring shop in your area for having them checked out, and possibility repaired.

The leaf springs will sag over time, and one of the most noticeable items would be in the handling of the van, at high speeds, do you get bad body roll, side to side, and have problems with the keeping the steering straight??
Sure sign that the rear leafs are shot.

I had a cube van with the above problems, and went to a truck spring shop, and they added 2 new leafs in the pack to counter the sagging, it worked fine, but the ride got much stiffer.
The Cube van I'm using now, I went with the Timbren's helpers, and not only it solved the rear end sagging, it added to a smoother ride and load carrying compactly. Less cost also.

 

Sorry for the delay in replying. Yes, the rear springs have taken on a slight reverse arch, the main leaf where is rides on the axle is slightly above a line drawn between the 2 spring eyelets.
As far as weight goes, you are quite correct m/h manufacturers load ( or even overload) the rear axles on a regular basis. Mine has a 7500 pound Dana axle, which is loaded to the max, or even on rare occasion, about 100 to 150 pounds over.
I do suspect that after 26 years, the springs have sagged, and I just wanted to confirm that they should be configured in the normal manner ( ie, not a reverse arch style as some trucks do have) or find out from other owners what clearance they have between the rubber bumper and the axle ( mine only 2.5 to 3 inches, doesn't seem very much)
Thanks again

 

Just reading this thread today. I have an '84 E350 XL Motor-home with sagging rear springs as well. I can take the 'beast' to a local truck shop to get an opinion/options. But I am curious what, if anything, the OP did with their '89.

Here's a photo of the right-rear leaf spring on our MH.

 

Those look like they are in a negative arch too! I have a 88 e150 conversion van and it is sitting level but I am having trouble with front tire wear and a vibration around 60 to 70 mph. A couple of the guys here said that with the rear end sitting lower it will raise the front end throwing the camber out of spec causing tire wear on the outside edge as well as handling problems. My spring bushings and shackles are worn too because i hear a noise sometimes from the rear like something might be lose when I stop and then let of the brakes. How that relates to the vibration from what i have read is that it allows the rear axle to tilt and can throw the pinion angle out of alignment with the transmission. So there are lots of things to think about when your springs are worn out.
Here is an exaggerated example of this.

 

From your picture jrloucks, those springs are gone. The frame should be above the spring arc, not below it. Unless you have tons of weight in the back of that thing?

Best if you do take it to a good big truck shop and have it checked out.

 

Definitely worn out pretty good. Your spring should have a free arch of 4-3/4", that is not a huge free arch but enough for that tapered spring to sit more flat than have that significant of a reverse arch.

 

Jrlouks, my springs look somewhat similar, perhaps not quite that pronounced. I did discover that the springs installed om my mh are not the proper ones. It is a 7500 pound axle, yet the springs are rated at only 3400 pounds each, or about 700 pounds under the rating of the axle. I presume they left the factory that way, why they were undersized is a mystery.
The next size available locally is 4000 pounds. Health reasons have prevented me from investigating further, but I am planning on getting it looked at this spring, and see what the spring shop recommends

 

talking to a few local shops, it appears that this style of m/h uses springs that should sit, when loaded, more or less level. The unit handles reasonably for a m/h, no abnormal tire wear, although it has always ridden rough in the back
ATS Junior, am I correct in understanding that, at full load, or nearly full ( which is what the m/h is even just sitting empty) that there should be about 4-3/4 inch clearance from the axle to the rubber bump stop
Thanks

 

Ok, took the van into a shop experienced with this type of e350. The tech advises that the springs are set up to be just about flat when van empty; on a motorhome they are always loaded as compared to say a delivery van, and reverse arch is to be expected. With no items in the coach I have about 2.5 to 3 inches clearance between axle and jounce bumper, and the tech says even if it drops a further half to three quarters inch it still normal when fully loaded

 

Makes sense, as the RV has a dead load weight of the body, and build in equipment, where as a cargo van is loaded/offloaded of its cargo.

 

I finally got my '84 E350 XL motor-home into a truck specialty shop. They had a look and said they could not install helper leaf springs because the original leaf springs are tapered. A helper spring would've raised the rear end about 1".

They did quote me some new heavy duty leaf springs that would raise the back end, and give me another 800lbs of carrying capacity, plus not end up with a stiff ride. Price was $1000 for the springs & h/w, plus $400 for the installation. (All CAD and before taxes.)

So my options are:

1. Pay the truck service guys and have it installed.
2. Source the springs elsewhere and have a local garage install them.
3. Source the springs elsewhere and install them myself.
4. Do nothing. (As maltondhc reported "Reverse arch is to be expected")

Some things to sleep on.

 

You should be able to get 4000lb springs for around $225 to $300 USD or a complete spring kit with bolts and hangers for around $500