Rear leaf spring Woes
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New User
Joined: May 2006
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From: garland, TX
Rear leaf spring Woes
I have a 1986 f350 4 door long bed with a 460 4 barrel. I have recently changed out the rear leaf springs. The new(used) ones came off a 1992 f250 chasis (it was a tow truck). After bolting ever thing up it seems my axle is back farther than usual (usual being before). Do theses leaf springs normal interchange and what I had prior the wrong ones (since i bought truck used). Or is there something wrong with my installation? Also my rear drive shaft from carrier bearing is now showing blue teeth. and looking at yolk area there is about three inches of new shiny metal instead of the rusty looking? Any help ?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Hmm... maybe the leafs are actually different for a tow truck then. Most tow trucks I see have the rear wheels near the back alright, but I thought that was more the difference in the rear body. If you compare the old springs to the new with a measuring tape you'll know for sure. If they are different, and the main leaf from the old set is still good, get new center bolts, take apart both sets and build your own stack.
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New User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 22
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From: garland, TX
I measured the overall length and they were the same. now i have not measured from center (bolt) to either end. guess i should. And thats a good idea about building my own. Only thing is the set up is different a least amount of leafs. but i guess i might could try that. Would it hurt to drive like it is. It seems to be fine driving around th block. Havent tried with a load yet
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Yes, measure from center bolt to either end, there is a long and a short side. Just for example, on my F150 the short front side is 24.75" long, while the rear long side measures 32". I would not drive it if it were my truck...the axle moves around quite a bid during normal operation and you could pull the driveshaft out and wreck it and possibly the rear end yoke as well. That'll cost big $$$ to fix.
Adding leafs is an accepted practice, and I have done this myself on several occasions. Be aware if you increase the amount of leafs in the stack, the truck will sit higher because the initial sag will now be less.
Adding leafs is an accepted practice, and I have done this myself on several occasions. Be aware if you increase the amount of leafs in the stack, the truck will sit higher because the initial sag will now be less.
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New User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 22
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From: garland, TX
I measured the overall length before installing they were the same length. guess jumped ahead of myself though because the centers are not in the same place. I am going to try and use my original main leaf and replace whats beneath with the new ones. Think i am going try try driveshaft out of the tow truck and see if its longer that would be easier
