Leaf Spring Overhaul
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 2
Leaf Spring Overhaul
Hi all,
I'm back to pick y'alls brains on leafsprings....
On my '77 F250, I think its time to pull them out and give them a goin over.
It looks like someone added a leaf or two in the past, and that's my first question. In stock form, how many leaves are supposed to be in there?
And then from there, are there any tried and true methods for doing this?
My thinking is to take them out, clean them up, replace the bushings, put some good grease on the load bearing surfaces and then put them back together.
Are there any pitfalls that I'm not thinking about?
Thanks in advance.....
I'm back to pick y'alls brains on leafsprings....
On my '77 F250, I think its time to pull them out and give them a goin over.
It looks like someone added a leaf or two in the past, and that's my first question. In stock form, how many leaves are supposed to be in there?
And then from there, are there any tried and true methods for doing this?
My thinking is to take them out, clean them up, replace the bushings, put some good grease on the load bearing surfaces and then put them back together.
Are there any pitfalls that I'm not thinking about?
Thanks in advance.....
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
Hi all,
I'm back to pick y'alls brains on leafsprings....
On my '77 F250, I think its time to pull them out and give them a goin over.
It looks like someone added a leaf or two in the past, and that's my first question. In stock form, how many leaves are supposed to be in there?
And then from there, are there any tried and true methods for doing this?
My thinking is to take them out, clean them up, replace the bushings, put some good grease on the load bearing surfaces and then put them back together.
Are there any pitfalls that I'm not thinking about?
Thanks in advance.....
I'm back to pick y'alls brains on leafsprings....
On my '77 F250, I think its time to pull them out and give them a goin over.
It looks like someone added a leaf or two in the past, and that's my first question. In stock form, how many leaves are supposed to be in there?
And then from there, are there any tried and true methods for doing this?
My thinking is to take them out, clean them up, replace the bushings, put some good grease on the load bearing surfaces and then put them back together.
Are there any pitfalls that I'm not thinking about?
Thanks in advance.....
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 185
Likes: 3
From: Fargo
A while back, I upgraded the leaf springs in my '75. I found that it was on a late '77-79 frame.
2009 F250 Rear Leaf Springs onto a 75 F250 -- OFCC.com
I made this chart using information from SD Springs webpage.
The problem is that '77 was a change over year and you could yave either the C7TE-5560-G springs with 6 leaves plus 3 overload. Or the D3TZ-5560-D with 4 leaves plus 1 overload. You would have to do some measuring to figure out which ones you have.
If you have the later springs 24/31.5" you could easily upgrade to 1999-2007 leaves 25/33.25 and get a little more carrying capacity and height. My local wrecking yard sold me the 2009 springs for $75/each.
Not so much a pitfall, but compare your time and cost of bushings vs 'new' springs. I think SD Springs even sells direct replacements for your truck for under $200 each. A little research now can save you some heartache later.
2009 F250 Rear Leaf Springs onto a 75 F250 -- OFCC.com
I made this chart using information from SD Springs webpage.
The problem is that '77 was a change over year and you could yave either the C7TE-5560-G springs with 6 leaves plus 3 overload. Or the D3TZ-5560-D with 4 leaves plus 1 overload. You would have to do some measuring to figure out which ones you have.
If you have the later springs 24/31.5" you could easily upgrade to 1999-2007 leaves 25/33.25 and get a little more carrying capacity and height. My local wrecking yard sold me the 2009 springs for $75/each.
Not so much a pitfall, but compare your time and cost of bushings vs 'new' springs. I think SD Springs even sells direct replacements for your truck for under $200 each. A little research now can save you some heartache later.
SPONSOR
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 711
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From: Souderton
Hi all,
I'm back to pick y'alls brains on leafsprings....
On my '77 F250, I think its time to pull them out and give them a goin over.
It looks like someone added a leaf or two in the past, and that's my first question. In stock form, how many leaves are supposed to be in there?
And then from there, are there any tried and true methods for doing this?
My thinking is to take them out, clean them up, replace the bushings, put some good grease on the load bearing surfaces and then put them back together.
Are there any pitfalls that I'm not thinking about?
Thanks in advance.....
I'm back to pick y'alls brains on leafsprings....
On my '77 F250, I think its time to pull them out and give them a goin over.
It looks like someone added a leaf or two in the past, and that's my first question. In stock form, how many leaves are supposed to be in there?
And then from there, are there any tried and true methods for doing this?
My thinking is to take them out, clean them up, replace the bushings, put some good grease on the load bearing surfaces and then put them back together.
Are there any pitfalls that I'm not thinking about?
Thanks in advance.....
They came a few different ways from factory. You either have a 6 leaf, a 3/1 leaf spring or a 4/1 leaf spring. All had slightly different arches and different weight capacities.
You basically nailed it on the head. When it comes to putting them back together just make sure you are basically reversing the process of when you took them apart. When you are compressing the leafs a C clamp will be your best friend, don't rely solely on the center bolt to pull everything together, you don't want to strip it. Take a look at the tip inserts when they leafs are apart, it may be a good idea to change them out while you have the leaf spring apart.
Feel free to send me a message on the parts you need and I can hook you up with what you need.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Yes removing the old bushings/installing new can be a PITA, a press works great. Do not forget the one in the shackle also.
If you are planning on trying to reuse the old u-bolts (not recommended) clean the threads VERY well, like with brake cleaner/WD-40 and a wire brush. The nuts can seize up due to being fine thread after a little dirt gets in there.
New u bolts is a good call. And yes put the old leaf pack in a vice before you remove the center pin, same for reassembly time. And yes use a couple of C clamps to start the compression, in case your vice is not big enough.
Insp the leaf spring edges right where they almost touch the ubolt, that is where they crack. And use a torque wrench when doing the ubolts, drive it and let things settle then retorque.
And then again like in 50, 100, 250 miles, they will work loose like crazy. Insp the hanger hole where the leaf spring bolts goes thru for being worn too.
If you are planning on trying to reuse the old u-bolts (not recommended) clean the threads VERY well, like with brake cleaner/WD-40 and a wire brush. The nuts can seize up due to being fine thread after a little dirt gets in there.
New u bolts is a good call. And yes put the old leaf pack in a vice before you remove the center pin, same for reassembly time. And yes use a couple of C clamps to start the compression, in case your vice is not big enough.
Insp the leaf spring edges right where they almost touch the ubolt, that is where they crack. And use a torque wrench when doing the ubolts, drive it and let things settle then retorque.
And then again like in 50, 100, 250 miles, they will work loose like crazy. Insp the hanger hole where the leaf spring bolts goes thru for being worn too.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 2
Ok.... Got some pics today. Thanks for everybody's response.
This is what I'm dealing with. It looks like the original springs were 5 leaf with one on the bottom. But, like I said, it looks like somebody added 3-4 leaves before I bought the truck. As I'm looking at it, it looks like the top brackets that the U-bolts go through, aren't the right ones, or somebody put them in wrong....
So once again, any and all input is appreciated.
I think I know why they lifted the rear end. It looks like the drivers side dual exhaust pipe rubs on the driveshaft, when the suspension is at full bottom now. I can see where it would rub all the time if at stock height.... The more you dig, the more you find.....
This is what I'm dealing with. It looks like the original springs were 5 leaf with one on the bottom. But, like I said, it looks like somebody added 3-4 leaves before I bought the truck. As I'm looking at it, it looks like the top brackets that the U-bolts go through, aren't the right ones, or somebody put them in wrong....
So once again, any and all input is appreciated.
I think I know why they lifted the rear end. It looks like the drivers side dual exhaust pipe rubs on the driveshaft, when the suspension is at full bottom now. I can see where it would rub all the time if at stock height.... The more you dig, the more you find.....
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5th Wheeling
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 185
Likes: 3
From: Fargo
No lift block.
Thats interesting. I thought every old Ford truck had them installed.
I attached a picture of my leaf spring and spring clamp plate as installed.
It looks like yours is upside down and 90degrees off.
Do you have any better picture of it?
I'm wondering if on the added in leaves, should you bevel the ends while you have it apart? Also I wonder if you should add another set of spring clamps?
Thats interesting. I thought every old Ford truck had them installed.
I attached a picture of my leaf spring and spring clamp plate as installed.
It looks like yours is upside down and 90degrees off.
Do you have any better picture of it?
I'm wondering if on the added in leaves, should you bevel the ends while you have it apart? Also I wonder if you should add another set of spring clamps?
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 2
When all they had to do is turn them. Dumb, dumb, dumb....
Does anybody know if the brackets are available? LMC truck calls them spring seats, but they only show them available for 1/2 ton.
I'm thinking some wire wheel,grease, new u-bolts and spring seats and I'm back in business....
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 2
It's two things actually. First, I think the springs are binding. Whenever I come to a hard stop, or take a fast corner you can hear them pop.
The second problem has to do with ride height. I am going to put a receiver hitch on the truck, in order to haul my old tractors around with it.
Well.... The truck is jacked up so high in the rear, it makes the geometry for the hitch look really weird. My trailer tongue height is 16". The bumper height now, is 24" So even after I install the receiver hitch, I would have to use a 6" drop tongue to make it work out.
And then I'm riding with the geometry of the truck's suspension all wrong. Not something I want to do, pulling a 2500-3700 lb tractor....
So... This is actually a two part job. I'm changing the front springs, and then there was the rears which I needed advice on.
And you guys have come through! Thanks!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 185
Likes: 3
From: Fargo
This may not be the answer you are looking for, but...
you may want to consider taking some of the leaf springs from the bottom and moving them to the top, then adding a second set of overload spring brackets.
As long as you have a single through bolt to hold it all together, it should look just like my stock 2005 F250 Camper Package springs (which are similar to the picture I attached)
You will have to figure out what to use for leaf spring stops at both front and rear.
Its just an idea, it would lower your ride, soften your ride, and still maintain the same payload capacity.
you may want to consider taking some of the leaf springs from the bottom and moving them to the top, then adding a second set of overload spring brackets.
As long as you have a single through bolt to hold it all together, it should look just like my stock 2005 F250 Camper Package springs (which are similar to the picture I attached)
You will have to figure out what to use for leaf spring stops at both front and rear.
Its just an idea, it would lower your ride, soften your ride, and still maintain the same payload capacity.