Broken Front Leaf Spring?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi, TX
Originally Posted by termight04u2
Left front, one leaf had been broken for an unknown length of time.
Was found by the body shop after a drunk slid into my left bedside, they also found that the right rear spring was also broken too.
Rear spring was a fresh break caused by the accident, but the front spring had been broken for some time (rust had formed on the bare metal). I did (ok, I still do) wheel my truck pretty hard sometimes, and never noticed or felt the front spring was broken.
All was covered by the drunks insurance though!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Well, finally got the truck all fixed. I looked everywhere for a used spring but had no luck, ended up with OEM from Ford which set me back $165. Because I only replaced the left spring I thought the truck would be leaning to the right, although it's only off by about 1/4".
That front spring sure was a pain in the a** to R&R, ended up having to remove the front bumper in order to access the front bolt. A pain, but not bad enough to pay a shop to do it. Thanks again for all the comments and suggestions.
That front spring sure was a pain in the a** to R&R, ended up having to remove the front bumper in order to access the front bolt. A pain, but not bad enough to pay a shop to do it. Thanks again for all the comments and suggestions.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 2
From: Spring Lake
Originally Posted by slorider
Once again thanks to everyone for their suggestions and help. After calling every 4x4 shop and junk yard in the county without any luck, I finally found a spring shop that will bend up a spring for only $80.
After removing the spring from the truck I noticed that there was a yellow circle with an "X" stamped on the end. Does this indicate that the spring code is an "X"? I ask because the spring code on the door jam lists a "V", just don't want the shop to bend up the wrong spring tomorrow morning.
After removing the spring from the truck I noticed that there was a yellow circle with an "X" stamped on the end. Does this indicate that the spring code is an "X"? I ask because the spring code on the door jam lists a "V", just don't want the shop to bend up the wrong spring tomorrow morning.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 205
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Thanks 5.4L for the offer, if the other side breaks I will certainly be contacting you.
I reused the old U-bolts, they were in good condition and were tight when I took them off. The old spring (top leaf) broke about 6" behind the axle, so I don't think the bolts were the problem. Should I purchase some new U-bolts, certainly don't want them to flex and bust the new spring?
Originally Posted by cartmanea
If the U-bolts are a little loose or are reused it causes excess flex near the axle and the spring can fail.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
If you're putting on new springs and have reused the U-bolts already its cheap insurance to buy new ones. I currently have reused ones on mine, but I plan on making a short pack for the front like the Donahoe Racing 2" kit so I'll be getting new longer ones then.
