Question 1: Noticed the other day that the rear leaf springs on this old "work truck" (mechanically soild but victim of salted roads) don't have the clamps on 'em. I think they're called "stack clamps" or some such...I always called 'em shackles before, but I guess that's not right. They're the clamps that hold the leaves together and in line with one another. Reason I noticed this is that the bottom leaf, the shortest (first or fifth depending on whether you start at bottom or top) on the right side is a little out of line with the rest. Looking at other trucks, I think I should have four, one fore and aft of the center on each side. There are none.

My guess is either they rusted out, or more like this was the result of work done by one of the two previous owners. So the question is: how critical is this, and how do I fix it if I need to? Something I can do, or do I need to take it to a spring shop?

Question two: while under there, I noticed that the front gas tank (the only one that's working right now) is new but doesn't look like it sits level, like maybe whoever installed it settled for "good enough." Or is it supposed to angle down at the rear? If this is not "normal," could it be why the fuel gauge never goes over 3/4 no matter how much I try to top it off?

 

I'm not too sure on the fuel tank but those "clamps" are there to keep your springs in line and to keep them together when the rear axle suddenly leaves the road (and none of us has done that ). You can get these at any parts house. At least I could 10 years ago when I used to break them almost every weekend. The old back can't handle the big bumps anymore. You may need to go to the dealer now but as I recall, they were only about $5.00 or so. Hope this helps.

 

I have a low mileage 94 truck never seen salt or off road. It never had any .But the replacement springs I used do. Itup to you.

As for the tank look or try to if tank is up whole way to top brackets . Otherwise I dont think the strap would not hook up .

Good luck

 

Thanks. Have you had the '94 from new, that you know it never had those clamps on the spring pack?

I was wondering if maybe there'd been an earlier replacement done on mine, or a booster leaf added... five leaves looks to be the norm, though. Haynes manual shows five in a photo, but no way to tell what model, but the LMC catalog says it's five for all 80 to 96 F100/F150 2wd. I had 'em send me the catalog, and it's worth having just for all the exploded drawings, easier to access on paper than on their website.

Reason I'm puzzled is I've already seen some evidence that the second owner was a sort of hack mechanic, stuff I'll have to undo or redo, I'll have to get a better look at the fuel tank, too. If it's mounted right, there's some other problem with the gauge.

I don't have 25 posts, but you don't have to have an automated signature to sign a message...I'll just copy and paste from a forum with fewer rules. That's not a real complaint--there's a lot going on here, so I'd guess it requires more organizational structure.

Kevin W.
Waterford, Mich.
1991 F150 XLT Lariat
4.9-liter six/5-sp manual/2wd

 

Thanks. Note to self: do not fly truck. Check.

Since you've done this, can I ask if this is an easy install? It looks simple enough--I'd guess you'd want to get the weight off the springs, put the frame on stands? Or is it more complicated than that?

Kevin W.
Waterford, Mich.
1991 F150 XLT Lariat
4.9-liter six/5-sp manual/2wd

 

No, pretty simple install. You want to keep the weight on the springs to keep them compressed. If anything, you may need to weigh it down to get the clamps around all the springs.

They are basicaly overgrown C-clamps. They have a notch in them that allows you to slide them over the springs. Then, you twist them so they are laying flat. Then, you tighten the adjuster screw so they are tight. Then you go out and jump the truck. Then you go to the parts house and get another set. Repeat as needed.

 

Duh. I thought of that, keeping the springs compressed, after I posted. Makes sense, thanks again.

 

Umm, Tow, I'm not sure of what clamps the others are speaking, but the only thing besides the big U bolts that hold the axle housing to the springs are some little think sheet metal things with a rubber pad under it hold the top 4 leaves together. The 5th leaf is much shorter and thicker (by design) and has a completely different curve than the other 4. I'm the OO of a '92, and I don't think there would have been any significant changes in suspension from '91 to '92. My truck came here with the 5th leaf (bottom one) slightly misaligned from the others. Apparently someone at the factory got a little sloppy when tightening the axle housing U's. The only thing that holds the 5th leaf in place is the plate that the two U's go through. That spring isn't even used until you're near load capacity of the truck, and it's strictly to spread the loading so that the axle housing doesn't break the other four leaves in the middle. There SHOULD be, at both ends of each leaf, except the 1st (bolted to hangers and shackles) and the 5th (different curve) a teflon pad which keeps the springs from squawking and popping. These are also held captive by a hole in the ends of the leaves, as well as the small clamps I referred to. If I wasn't lazy, I'd take my camera and go make a photo of original springs. NEVER been touched. Even still has the shocks that were installed at the factory.

I've got the weird popping noise too, and it's driving me nuts hunting it. I'm thinking spring eye bushings now, though. I'm REALLY hoping it ain't a busted spring, because I can't remember EVER having done anything to my truck to break one, with possible exception of wheel hop while spinning. That is pretty rough on suspension, perhaps more so than "truck flying", primarily because of the torsional effects.

 

Thanks. Yeah, that's what missing on mine, the little thin sheet metal things with the rubber pad. I did figure out that the short bottom leaf isn't bound by them, so that wouldn't be the problem with it being out of line a little. Coming at this as third owner, you just wonder if it came from the factory that way, did someone drop the axle out for some reason, or whatever, and I'll never really know.

There are teflon pads between the leaves, it all looks right. Not having the top four leaves tied together, with no load in the truck, there's a bit of space in there that makes me worry that the teflon pads could slip out of line. Put some load in there (winter traction in a 4x2) and it's not so worrisome...I'll replace those little gizmos. It'd be good to have a better name for it than "gizmo" before I get to the parts counter, but those guys are usually pretty good at figuring out what you're after.
Thanks again,
Kevin W.