Changing Front Springs E150
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 26
From: Bay Area
Changing Front Springs E150
My front coil springs are weak. I compared them with other similar years. My van rolls and sways around corners. I installed new shocks with no significant difference.
Has anyone replaced front coil springs? I know I can rent the tool for free from AutoZone. Can I replace with E250 coils? What other parts should I replace? I live in California, so the van is free of any rust.
All my small repairs are adding up. I am seriously considering buying the heavy duty E350 rather than throwing money at this light duty van. We use it for family camping and tend to fill it up with gear. These vans are not known for scoring high in agility tests when everything is working properly.
Springs are about $200 for a pair. If it's an easy install, I may as well do it for safety and better handling.
Has anyone replaced front coil springs? I know I can rent the tool for free from AutoZone. Can I replace with E250 coils? What other parts should I replace? I live in California, so the van is free of any rust.
All my small repairs are adding up. I am seriously considering buying the heavy duty E350 rather than throwing money at this light duty van. We use it for family camping and tend to fill it up with gear. These vans are not known for scoring high in agility tests when everything is working properly.
Springs are about $200 for a pair. If it's an easy install, I may as well do it for safety and better handling.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 286
From: Eastern TN
What year E150? In general you can replace the springs without a compressor. Once you release the shock and possibly the brake caliper, there's enough travel in the suspension to fully extend the spring. Hence they're bolted to the suspension.
Last I checked, ATS and SDTruckSprings don't have HD coils for the front. SDTrucks has air bags that fit inside the front coils and something called Sumo Super Springs that are external helpers.
I think E250/350 springs are longer not just for load but because those vans sit higher.
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 191K miles boulevard ride
Last I checked, ATS and SDTruckSprings don't have HD coils for the front. SDTrucks has air bags that fit inside the front coils and something called Sumo Super Springs that are external helpers.
I think E250/350 springs are longer not just for load but because those vans sit higher.
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 191K miles boulevard ride
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 487
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
I have changed the springs on mine. I recommend to change the lower spring isolators that keep the springs from making metal to metal contact with the I-beams.
1 Loosen lugnuts.
2 Raise the van and remove the front wheels.
3 Disconnect the front shock absorbers at the bottom bolt.
4 Remove the spring retainers at the top mount.
5 Remove springs and lower spring isolators.
Reverse to install springs
1 Loosen lugnuts.
2 Raise the van and remove the front wheels.
3 Disconnect the front shock absorbers at the bottom bolt.
4 Remove the spring retainers at the top mount.
5 Remove springs and lower spring isolators.
Reverse to install springs
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Its doubtful you can use the E250 or E350 springs on an E150---of course having the actual year of manufacture impacts this quite a bit.
Moog and almost any other spring manufacturer will have a heavier duty spring but you won't find many of any equal to the front axle rating of E250 and higher rated chassis. Front suspension pieces and the frame aren't rated to carry those sorts of GVW.
Moog and almost any other spring manufacturer will have a heavier duty spring but you won't find many of any equal to the front axle rating of E250 and higher rated chassis. Front suspension pieces and the frame aren't rated to carry those sorts of GVW.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 26
From: Bay Area
Its doubtful you can use the E250 or E350 springs on an E150---of course having the actual year of manufacture impacts this quite a bit.
Moog and almost any other spring manufacturer will have a heavier duty spring but you won't find many of any equal to the front axle rating of E250 and higher rated chassis. Front suspension pieces and the frame aren't rated to carry those sorts of GVW.
Moog and almost any other spring manufacturer will have a heavier duty spring but you won't find many of any equal to the front axle rating of E250 and higher rated chassis. Front suspension pieces and the frame aren't rated to carry those sorts of GVW.
When I say that we are fully loaded, it's not like a courier company loads the vehicle. We have light weight sleeping bags, carry a Coleman stove, 10 gallons of water, 200 pounds of food including the cooler/fridge weight, spare battery. It starts adding up. Fuel economy does not change at all. Van seems to roll less with more weight. But it's noticable.
I found Moog coil springs at my local auto parts store. I will check Amazon just like JWA for a better price and free delivery. With that said, I have my eyes on some E350 vans that already have the heavy duty equipment installed. Since we use our van every week for picking up food for the needy, it's worth it find a van made for heavy loads.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 487
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Well one can't go too heavy with spring rates, if the spring rates are too heavy then the truck will bounce around and give a harsh ride. That is also unsafe.
If you just replaced your shocks, then I hope you got the right ones. If your van has the handling package it has special springs and uses shocks from the E350. Check that out.
If you just replaced your shocks, then I hope you got the right ones. If your van has the handling package it has special springs and uses shocks from the E350. Check that out.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 26
From: Bay Area
Since you have a nearly identical vehicle with the exception of my light beer V6 engine, how is the handling of your van with new springs? I could use the extra power of the V8. I bet your van gets better mpg on the highway. I average 15.5 over all after logging in 26k miles. Sometimes I get 16-17 on the rural country roads where I do a lot gliding. On a open freeway, it's always 15.5. What mpgs do you get with your rig? We traveled over 4000 miles this summer and I would rather pay the extra $300 in fuel cost because we travel comfortably in the van.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Chicago
The handling is decent. It is not spectacular like a planted sports car but it is way better than it was. I'm sure the extra weight up front has something to do with it. My van is pushing 215k and is still going. I am planning to buy a long block from Ford and I will do that once the original engine kicks the bucket. I get anywhere from 13-16 mpg depending on how heavy my foot is. I don't mind the extra fuel as long as it is comfortable.
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 26
From: Bay Area
Well one can't go too heavy with spring rates, if the spring rates are too heavy then the truck will bounce around and give a harsh ride. That is also unsafe.
If you just replaced your shocks, then I hope you got the right ones. If your van has the handling package it has special springs and uses shocks from the E350. Check that out.
If you just replaced your shocks, then I hope you got the right ones. If your van has the handling package it has special springs and uses shocks from the E350. Check that out.
I found some at Amazon for under a $100. I am confident that I can do the install myself.
My friend engineer Dan who assists me in auto repairs said the van drives like a pogo stick. He suggested that I change the front shocks. I already had KYB gas adjust shocks and they seemed in top shape with only 20k on them. We both think it's worn coil springs as this van was used to carry food to homeless shelters in San Jose Ca. It had 85k on on it when I bought it and everything on the steering was worn. I replaced ball joints, tie rods, and brake calipers.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 26
From: Bay Area
The handling is decent. It is not spectacular like a planted sports car but it is way better than it was. I'm sure the extra weight up front has something to do with it. My van is pushing 215k and is still going. I am planning to buy a long block from Ford and I will do that once the original engine kicks the bucket. I get anywhere from 13-16 mpg depending on how heavy my foot is. I don't mind the extra fuel as long as it is comfortable.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 26
From: Bay Area
The handling is decent. It is not spectacular like a planted sports car but it is way better than it was. I'm sure the extra weight up front has something to do with it. My van is pushing 215k and is still going. I am planning to buy a long block from Ford and I will do that once the original engine kicks the bucket. I get anywhere from 13-16 mpg depending on how heavy my foot is. I don't mind the extra fuel as long as it is comfortable.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 487
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
I see, a basic can with a 4.2 Essex is most likely not going to be upgraded by the person who ordered it.
This is an obvoius question. Have you checked the sway bar? The bushings for it that mount it to the frame? I beam?
I am going to do a 4.6 Windsor long block and transfer over the bolt-ons. I got some smoke on start up sometimes and a knock that comes and goes.
This is an obvoius question. Have you checked the sway bar? The bushings for it that mount it to the frame? I beam?
I am going to do a 4.6 Windsor long block and transfer over the bolt-ons. I got some smoke on start up sometimes and a knock that comes and goes.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 286
From: Eastern TN
Here's a thought - as easy as it is to swap springs, hit the pick-n-pull on Commercial or Monterey Rd for front springs off an E350 (~$30 each tax and fees included). Measure the relaxed height of your springs and coil thickness. Also spring diameter and bring pictures top and bottom to make sure they fit your perches. Look for something with a thicker coil and not much taller (or how will you install them?). You can't bring your spring as a sample but maybe keep one in the parking lot.
As I write this, I'm checking if a guy I know kept the front springs of his '06 E350 when he got taller springs.
You said nothing about rear springs. Does is not oscillate as much when you shake the rear?
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 191K miles
As I write this, I'm checking if a guy I know kept the front springs of his '06 E350 when he got taller springs.
You said nothing about rear springs. Does is not oscillate as much when you shake the rear?
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 191K miles
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
You need to compare ride height of similar model vans from the same year or have a good suspension shop measure the ride height before thinking of doing the springs.