Coil spring replacement?
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 53
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Coil spring replacement?
I have an 80 flare side that's in great condition but I bought it to tinker with and keep busy when bored. I'm starting with a complete brake overhaul then suspension then I will go up top snooping around. My question is since I plan on removing the coils to replace the radius arm bushings do I need to or should I put new coils back in? The original ones have no issues, ride is good, stance is good etc. and if i do that do the rear leafs need to be changed to match? I don't see the need to replace something just because it's 40 yrs old if it still functions as it should. Maybe just a buff and repaint.Then again coils and leafs are cheap to replace. But I wanted the experts to chime in. Thanks guys..
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 928
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I’m a fan of the “ain’t broke, don’t fix it”
however I’d take a good look, eye bushings and the spring perches deteriorate. Springs do sag and wear over time, maybe a good once over would be fine.
if I’m spending your money, heck yeah, replace it all!
however I’d take a good look, eye bushings and the spring perches deteriorate. Springs do sag and wear over time, maybe a good once over would be fine.
if I’m spending your money, heck yeah, replace it all!
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,830
Likes: 4,096
From: Angier, NC
When I rebuilt my 81 F100 flare side I also had a 81 F100 LB style side for parts.
On the springs (both were the same weight of 4700) I took what looked like the best, cleaned & paint and if the bushings looked bad they got replaced.
The rear bushings looked good on both pair of springs so did not replace them.
The front had poly radius arm bushing so I cleaned and reused.
The pivot bushings on the suspension I had to use, kingpin and wheel bolt pattern size, did not look good so I replaced with poly bushings.
As for how the truck rides with poly and with out I cant really cant say as I never drove the truck with rubber bushings.
I don't think it rides ruff at all with the poly bushings and would run them again. I also running KYB gas shocks and 235 / 75 / R15 tires but because I don't carry heavy loads they are not pumped up to max PSI and this will help on how it rides. I have almost 4000 miles since Nov of 2019, if it rode bad I would not use the truck everyday.
Hope this helps
Dave ----
On the springs (both were the same weight of 4700) I took what looked like the best, cleaned & paint and if the bushings looked bad they got replaced.
The rear bushings looked good on both pair of springs so did not replace them.
The front had poly radius arm bushing so I cleaned and reused.
The pivot bushings on the suspension I had to use, kingpin and wheel bolt pattern size, did not look good so I replaced with poly bushings.
As for how the truck rides with poly and with out I cant really cant say as I never drove the truck with rubber bushings.
I don't think it rides ruff at all with the poly bushings and would run them again. I also running KYB gas shocks and 235 / 75 / R15 tires but because I don't carry heavy loads they are not pumped up to max PSI and this will help on how it rides. I have almost 4000 miles since Nov of 2019, if it rode bad I would not use the truck everyday.
Hope this helps
Dave ----
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