e250 leaf spring replacement
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e250 leaf spring replacement
So, I'm considering replacing the leaf springs on my van, as i think it's a little more bouncy going down the road than it should be, but i'm not sure. this is the first van i've really driven at length (have had it about 4 months).
my question is: can leaf springs need replacing without sagging?
i've been driving it unloaded, but in a few months it will consistently be under a 600-1000 pound load.
my question is: can leaf springs need replacing without sagging?
i've been driving it unloaded, but in a few months it will consistently be under a 600-1000 pound load.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: NE Tennessee
What year is it? The 3/4 ton and 1 ton vans are a bit bouncy unloaded. Once loaded they tend to settle better. I think EagleFreek is on the right path with some new rear shocks to curb the bounce but it will be stiff with no load.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Fayetteville, TN
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it's a 2001. the springs in the back aren't sagging, but it seems to hit bumps rough.
i did replace the rear shocks 2 months back. was thinking about doing the front, but like i said, this is unloaded. good to know yours rides better when loaded; think i'm going to hold off on considering replacing the leaf springs//coil springs until after i check er out loaded up.
Eaglefreek >> what kind of difference do you notice in gas mileage w a 1000 pound load?
i did replace the rear shocks 2 months back. was thinking about doing the front, but like i said, this is unloaded. good to know yours rides better when loaded; think i'm going to hold off on considering replacing the leaf springs//coil springs until after i check er out loaded up.
Eaglefreek >> what kind of difference do you notice in gas mileage w a 1000 pound load?
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Fayetteville, TN
it's a 2001. the springs in the back aren't sagging, but it seems to hit bumps rough.
i did replace the rear shocks 2 months back. was thinking about doing the front, but like i said, this is unloaded. good to know yours rides better when loaded; think i'm going to hold off on considering replacing the leaf springs//coil springs until after i check er out loaded up.
Eaglefreek >> what kind of difference do you notice in gas mileage w a 1000 pound load?
i did replace the rear shocks 2 months back. was thinking about doing the front, but like i said, this is unloaded. good to know yours rides better when loaded; think i'm going to hold off on considering replacing the leaf springs//coil springs until after i check er out loaded up.
Eaglefreek >> what kind of difference do you notice in gas mileage w a 1000 pound load?
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From: South central, Minnesota
If your complaint is a rough ride. Replacing springs with new ones that are the same isn't going to change the ride much, if any. If you want to change the ride you need to change the spring to a different rate spring. But that will change how the van acts/ handles the loads.
A good quality shock, like Bilsteins can help. A standard replacement shock won't help much unless the old ones are worn out.
On a 3/4 or 1 ton van it's going to ride rougher unloaded then one with a load. A heavier spring needs a load to compress it some to smooth it out. Unloaded it just doesn't work as well for a smooth ride. That's the reason a lot of people with the 1 ton & medium duty trucks ( F450, F550's etc. ) yank the leaf springs and install some kind of air ride system.
You could go to a lighter spring for a smoother unloaded ride and then add some kind of overload/helper spring set up to handle the loads.
A good quality shock, like Bilsteins can help. A standard replacement shock won't help much unless the old ones are worn out.
On a 3/4 or 1 ton van it's going to ride rougher unloaded then one with a load. A heavier spring needs a load to compress it some to smooth it out. Unloaded it just doesn't work as well for a smooth ride. That's the reason a lot of people with the 1 ton & medium duty trucks ( F450, F550's etc. ) yank the leaf springs and install some kind of air ride system.
You could go to a lighter spring for a smoother unloaded ride and then add some kind of overload/helper spring set up to handle the loads.
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