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Hi, newb here, please be patient.
What is the name of the part in the picture below that is cross-hatched red ? Is it the "block" ? Notice how it seems to perform 2 functions: 1) as a spacer between Axle and Leaf Spring, and 2) full travel bumper.
The spacer portion of the part seems straight forward, however the inboard protrusion, the bathtub shaped, hollowed out beam, whatever, is peculiar.
When folks talk about removing the block in order to lower the rear end, is this the part they are talking about ? And if so, what happens if there is a severe jolt and the suspension totally bottoms out ?
(2008 F150 4WD)
BTW, that block with its side extension is designed to maintain the severe jounce protection as it will hit the bumper under extreme compression. If you take it out, the bumper would then hit the axle housing as originally designed. Another factor that will come into play is if they put on longer shocks when it was raised. if you then drop it, the shocks will be too long and bottom out. This kind of thing is not 'rocket science' but it does take some thinking and planning.
That is a factory block, the "bathtub" shape is to catch your rubber bump stop. The block can be removed to lower the rear end, on the 2wd trucks (except for the FX2) the factory didn't install a block. I recommend going to the 2wd rear shocks and 2wd Ubolts if you are going to pull the block because the shocks and Ubolts are shorter.
That is a factory block, the "bathtub" shape is to catch your rubber bump stop. The block can be removed to lower the rear end, on the 2wd trucks (except for the FX2) the factory didn't install a block. I recommend going to the 2wd rear shocks and 2wd Ubolts if you are going to pull the block because the shocks and Ubolts are shorter.
I removed mine, used Stengle Bros. shorter square U-boults, 9/16", deep well nuts, nice fasteners. I still have the FX4 shocks on it though, if I hit hard on a landing likely will bottum the shocks too. Mine was 2", looked same, the wing catches the rubber where the axle would at same travel. My '77 has 3" blocks OEM with same wings. Looks different after block removed.
some ford engineer must have had fun designing that block with the wing. that's no ordinary press formed part like most everything else in the undercarriage. must be a casting. looks like the shape is tuned for dynamic response ( the hollowed out bathtub ).
some ford engineer must have had fun designing that block with the wing. that's no ordinary press formed part like most everything else in the undercarriage. must be a casting. looks like the shape is tuned for dynamic response ( the hollowed out bathtub ).
It's hollowed out looking shape mimics the axle housing shape and adds strength for the "wing" that is intended to interface with the frame mounted bump stop at full compression. Remove the block, the wing goes away too, and then the axle tube interfaces with the rubber bump stop at full compression, but leaf spring is deflected the same either way. Without the "wing" on the block, the added block heighth would allow excess bending of the leaves if ever fully compressed.
