Leaf spring replacement
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Leaf spring replacement
After storing several extra leaf springs in the garage for my old F100 for years, I'm going to install them today. By tomorrow, the old girl won't be dragging the right rear anymore. YEEAAA! 
I'm off to the parts store for new u-bolts and a new spring center bolt.
I'm off to the parts store for new u-bolts and a new spring center bolt.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
Do yourself a favor and seperate the leafs, polish all contact surfaces, spray them with dry film Moly by Dow Corning, part # 521, assemble, wipe down with lacquer then paint. You will have a soft ride for years. I have a 68 CS that was a back breaker until cleaned and coated, going on 7 years and still a smooth ride.
.....=o&o>.....
.....=o&o>.....
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
sweet. One of those jobs where the improvement is dramatic. mine sags on that side too & im pretty sure it's not the frame i hope the work's not too much of a bear. i've been doing brake work on mine this weekend. next is a pretty sick front brake hose, it's on there pretty darn good. bought special flare nut wrenches last nite & wd40'd it real good. we'll see. good luck with yours anyway.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Beemer Nut, sure wish I'd waited for your post before slapping it back together. Mabye somebody reading this will read your post and use your info. I will next time. Getting it tore apart was way worse than reassembly, and now the frame is only 1/2" lower on the passenger side. All in all, it was a fairly easy job that was five years overdue.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
You can apply the spray on assembled springs, use paper on the ground and behind as Moly will stain. I would cover the drums with plastic garbage bags, spray the springs with a engine degreaser gun with a strong water base degreaser to remove dirt and grease, air gun dry. A couple days later apply the dry film moly. The solvents from the moly spray dry quick so have a friend bounce up and down on the bumper to work the moly in before it drys. For best results replace the rubber bushings with polyurethane ones.
.....=o&o>.....
.....=o&o>.....
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
Use a flap wheel, 4" or 4 1/2" on a hand grinder and blend the step wear unless it's so bad a used replacement or new springs are needed. On the end of the shorter springs remove the edge and add a slight taper to prevent it digging again into the longer springs. If they were dressed properly from the factory new you wouldn't have that step, it's all about production and profit.
Attention to details makes 'em last. .....=o&o>.....
Attention to details makes 'em last. .....=o&o>.....
