Hello...New Member needs leaf spring help
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Hello...New Member needs leaf spring help
Hi,
I own a 2000 Excursion V10. 2 days ago I slammed on the brakes to avoid a collsion and heard a crack. Subsequently there was a metal on metal noise that I just discovered was a broken front right side leaf spring. The top leaf spring broke at the point where they are held with a metallic band. I am considering replacing it but I have some questions before I get into the process. Any help would be Greatly appreciated.
Questions:
1. Where is the best (cheapest) place to buy replacement stock leaf springs?
2. Must I replace both leaf springs?
3. Is this a job I should do myself?
4. Can I drive it around with a broken leaf spring till I get the parts delivered?
I appreciate any responses and additional comments or points I should know.
Thank you
I own a 2000 Excursion V10. 2 days ago I slammed on the brakes to avoid a collsion and heard a crack. Subsequently there was a metal on metal noise that I just discovered was a broken front right side leaf spring. The top leaf spring broke at the point where they are held with a metallic band. I am considering replacing it but I have some questions before I get into the process. Any help would be Greatly appreciated.
Questions:
1. Where is the best (cheapest) place to buy replacement stock leaf springs?
2. Must I replace both leaf springs?
3. Is this a job I should do myself?
4. Can I drive it around with a broken leaf spring till I get the parts delivered?
I appreciate any responses and additional comments or points I should know.
Thank you
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: coarsegold, ca
do not drive with a broken leaf spring. if you do any towing think about swapping in truck leafs. find a 4x4 shop that does a lot of lifts and ask them about the springs they take off trucks when they lift them. and replace both leaf springs. always in pairs.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Central Valley arm pit
It shouldn't be to hard to find someone that lifted there truck and is in need of more garage space. Check Forums, some will even let you post that you need something. Otherwise, if you want to buy new than a little lift is always nice.
I would never drive a truck with a cracked spring. Like most things it will totally fail when you need it most.
The installation of leaf springs is pretty straight forward. My truck was already lifted when I bought it so I can't comment from experience. However a buddy said he was watching his F250 being lifted and commented to the Tech that the new leaf springs were "U" shaped. How would they ever fit. Well he showed him. He bolted one side to the shackle and then bascially let the jack down, until the weight of the truck stretched the spring out. Pretty Cool Trick.
I would never drive a truck with a cracked spring. Like most things it will totally fail when you need it most.
The installation of leaf springs is pretty straight forward. My truck was already lifted when I bought it so I can't comment from experience. However a buddy said he was watching his F250 being lifted and commented to the Tech that the new leaf springs were "U" shaped. How would they ever fit. Well he showed him. He bolted one side to the shackle and then bascially let the jack down, until the weight of the truck stretched the spring out. Pretty Cool Trick.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 24
From: Mount Royal, NJ
Originally Posted by ronquillaw
Questions:
1. Where is the best (cheapest) place to buy replacement stock leaf springs?
2. Must I replace both leaf springs?
3. Is this a job I should do myself?
4. Can I drive it around with a broken leaf spring till I get the parts delivered?
1. Where is the best (cheapest) place to buy replacement stock leaf springs?
2. Must I replace both leaf springs?
3. Is this a job I should do myself?
4. Can I drive it around with a broken leaf spring till I get the parts delivered?
Answers (my opinions)
1. Dealer or boneyard. Or you can ask on this forum for anyone that changed their springs and will give or sell you the old ones. The only other option is to change to the truck springs.
2. Very wise idea, but not neccessary. Remember, though, the force that broke the one spring also impacted on the unbroken one. It may have weakened it or put cracks in it.
3. If you are reeasonably mechanically inclined and have the tools. Save a grunch of money. Use quality jackstands and chocks.
4. NO NO NO
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Originally Posted by ronquillaw
2. Must I replace both leaf springs?
Many suggest V-codes. Here's everything you need to know about doing that swap yourself.
Keep in mind that you'll need to raise the rear to keep the truck's stock rake. Add-a-leafs are better than adding blocks, IMHO. http://www.supermotors.net/clubs/for...stry/9/54681-2
Last edited by Monsta; Jul 7, 2007 at 02:51 PM.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jul 2007
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Thanks for the advice.
A few more questions.....
5. What are V-code leafsprings compared to the stock ones?
6. Are the leaf spring I have now different from "truck" springs?
7. "you'll need to raise the rear to keep the truck's stock rake" .... What does that mean? Will I have to raise the rear after I repace the front leafs??
I really appreciate all the help and after all the coments I think I just about got it.....
I will update you on all my progress............Thanks for helping the newbie.
A few more questions.....
5. What are V-code leafsprings compared to the stock ones?
6. Are the leaf spring I have now different from "truck" springs?
7. "you'll need to raise the rear to keep the truck's stock rake" .... What does that mean? Will I have to raise the rear after I repace the front leafs??
I really appreciate all the help and after all the coments I think I just about got it.....
I will update you on all my progress............Thanks for helping the newbie.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
Originally Posted by ronquillaw
5. What are V-code leafsprings compared to the stock ones?
6. Are the leaf spring I have now different from "truck" springs?
7. "you'll need to raise the rear to keep the truck's stock rake" .... What does that mean? Will I have to raise the rear after I repace the front leafs??
I really appreciate all the help and after all the coments I think I just about got it.....
I will update you on all my progress............Thanks for helping the newbie.
6. Are the leaf spring I have now different from "truck" springs?
7. "you'll need to raise the rear to keep the truck's stock rake" .... What does that mean? Will I have to raise the rear after I repace the front leafs??
I really appreciate all the help and after all the coments I think I just about got it.....
I will update you on all my progress............Thanks for helping the newbie.
6. Yes they are softer and sit lower.
7. The front will come up a couple of inches. So, to keep the same angle where the rear is higher, you will have to raise the rear too. In my case, I changed the rear 2 in blocks to 4 in blocks after I went to U fronts and A rears.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Ronquillaw - Looks like we might live pretty close to each other. I just removed my stock front springs 3 days ago and would be willing to part with them for free if you don't mind coming to get them. PM me if you're interested.
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