My old eBay special Sanderson Welding front drop shackle leveling kit was getting a little long in the tooth, more specifically, the front springs were de-arching so I bit the bullet and got a new set of front springs that are also a leveling kit and from Rough Country (I am pretty sure that is who I bought them from). So I dropped the truck off to my mechanic and had him address them and some other issues (new drivers side exhaust manifold,brakes, rotors, a ABS code that replacing the sensor didn't fix, etc) and I stopped by today at lunch to see how things were going.

He showed me the front spring on the drivers side had broken right under the bracket.


Then pointed out one of my main springs in the rear had also broken.



I stopped back by a few hours later, here are a few pics of the new fronts installed. It comes with a new control arm too which should help the truck track straighter.





He is currently trying to source a set of F350 rear springs to put in.

Moral of the story, plowing with an 8 foot Western Ultramount and an in the bed salt spreader and a ton of salt in it, is HARD on these trucks.

 

Looks good.

So how tempted are you to go buy a few cans of black spray paint so the springs don't look so out of place?

 

I feel ur pain I just did front springs on my truck new shocks too

 

Did you have any kind of a rattle from the broken front spring? I have a rattle I've been chasing for a few years, I put a Chassis Ear on it and it is loudest right on the spring where yours is broke.

 

I couldn't corral myself.

 

i snapped the driver front spring driving down the road in the middle of the summer.
new it rite away, because besides the loud noise the driver side dropped almost 2 inches.

 

Not tempted in the least bit Chris. Too much salt going on there in a few months to even think it will last. I didn't notice a rattle specific to that side spring per se, but the front end has had so many things going on it may have been there. I would occasionally get a loud clunk when I would switch from reverse to forward, or forward to reverse and load or unload the front end. I had been wondering what it was, and I am fairly certain it must have been this spring.

Just got off the phone with the shop. The price for a new set of factory rear springs is absolutely stupid at $500 per side so I am going to put a 4 inch Rough Country set on the rear. I was already running a 4inch Superwinch rear block back there. So we will probably have to put a shim in for drive line angle, but other than that, she should be riding nice and handle my spreader and salt better. I may add a set of bags to help out when i load her up. I'll get some more pics when they come in.

 

Have you checked with ATS Spring in PA? I got my rear springs from them. They seem knowledgeable and friendly, and the prices are good.
Leaf Springs and Suspension Parts by Auto and Truck Springs

 

I noticed on pic #3 that your swaybar bushing is hogged out oversize- that and the swaybar end link hole looks huge compared to that mounting bolt!
Maybe while you're there...

 

I have not, but I am going to. I have seen people on here mention them before, thanks.

 

Leaf Springs, Air Springs and Suspension Parts and Service
They have plenty of OEM replacements even higher capacity stock style springs with charts showing arch etc. if you are looking to lift/lower.


43-1263 43-1263 Leaf Spring Assemblys for 99-06 Ford Super Duty F250SD and F350SD; Rear --4/1 Leaf; 4/401 2ND 1/812; 3,000 Lbs $153.95 x 2 $307.90

________________________________________
Subtotal: $307.90
Discount: $0.00
Shipping: $87.48
Sales Tax: $0.00
Total: $395.38

 

Just spoke to both, Stengel Brothers located in Pa., and Bob, the owner of ATS Spring, also located in Pa. They both were very knowledgeable and willing to talk. I think I am going to go with Bob at ATS and get their intermediate spring. The stock F250/350 rear spring is rated at 3100lbs, and is part number 431263 $118.99 each. The intermediate spring is 431263XL and rated at 3400lbs and he said they are a nice upgrade for daily driver, plowing with a salt spreader and they are $174.95 pair plus $93 shipping. The next set up was 4400lbs and he said it is a spring designed more for landscapers that are really loading up. The ride quality would be very harsh. I am not interested in those.

 

When I did the work on the nose parts, I cleaned off the worst of the rust and applied rust converter to the remaining surface rust. This cleaned it up real nice, then I just needed a coating over the new "primer". Chassis Saver might be a good product to prevent the rust from coming back, but I fear it may be too late this season to get it done. You need mild weather for that stuff to dry.

 

Wow, those are great prices for new springs!

 

definitely check out ATS. Junior will take very good care of you.