Rear Leafs
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Rear Leafs
Anybody got some good ideas of leaf replacements for an '03 F-150 S-Crew FX4. I had the rear end looked at and was told they needed replacing. I found it hard to believe since I only haul a dirtbike in the back of my truck. Anyway, I am going to take it to a leaf spring specialist. In the mean time, if replacement is needed, what do you guys recommend for aftermarket leafs.
Thanks,
Skinner
Thanks,
Skinner
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
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From: Kansas
Welcome to the forum! 
I have a hard time believing your leafs are shot. They might need the bushings replaced but I haven't touched mine and I haul more then dirt bikes in my truck. Some have loaded their truck so that the leafs will curl down instead of up. Once unloaded everything was fine again.
I have a hard time believing your leafs are shot. They might need the bushings replaced but I haven't touched mine and I haul more then dirt bikes in my truck. Some have loaded their truck so that the leafs will curl down instead of up. Once unloaded everything was fine again.
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Depends on whats wrong with the truck. I load the snot out of my truck. Still on stock springs although i did add one extra leaf about 5 years ago. I cant imagine that your springs are shot. With a screw, its seems like the bed isnt big enough to overload the truck.
Are you getting noise from the rear end when you accellerate from a stop? If thats the case the solution is as easy as pulling your driveshaft and adding a little grease to the splines of the shaft. Sometimes they bind up and pop and bang when your first accellerate from a stop.
Are you getting noise from the rear end when you accellerate from a stop? If thats the case the solution is as easy as pulling your driveshaft and adding a little grease to the splines of the shaft. Sometimes they bind up and pop and bang when your first accellerate from a stop.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: DC
One of my leafs failed at about 89k. It still "worked" OK but it had cracked in the center. It jumped out of the pack when I went around a turn one day. Bang! Maybe "shot" means cracked or badly corroded? I'm sure mine were damaged more by road salt than by anything I hauled.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: N. Fort Myers,FL
I have hauled some heavy stuff in my truck, and before i had it was used as a work truck. Now with that said, im sure my springs have lost some of their "strength", and i have thought about adding a leaf, but just havent got around to it yet.
So unless your springs arent cracked or messed up bad i would leave them.
So unless your springs arent cracked or messed up bad i would leave them.
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I am getting noise, but I dont think it is the slip yoke. I recently had the drive pulled and greased. Just a lot of creaking and popping, especially when I drive over uneven terrain. I can pull down on the back of the bed and hear the noise. I am going to a leaf spring specialty shop now and I will report back and tell you the outcome. Thanks for all the replies.
Skinner
Skinner
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Originally Posted by slowr w/o blowr
Depends on whats wrong with the truck. I load the snot out of my truck. Still on stock springs although i did add one extra leaf about 5 years ago. I cant imagine that your springs are shot. With a screw, its seems like the bed isnt big enough to overload the truck.
Are you getting noise from the rear end when you accellerate from a stop? If thats the case the solution is as easy as pulling your driveshaft and adding a little grease to the splines of the shaft. Sometimes they bind up and pop and bang when your first accellerate from a stop.
Are you getting noise from the rear end when you accellerate from a stop? If thats the case the solution is as easy as pulling your driveshaft and adding a little grease to the splines of the shaft. Sometimes they bind up and pop and bang when your first accellerate from a stop.
Skinner
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: In my House
Joe Finn, there was a bultetin out about the 97's not having a strap around the leaf pack. If the leafs do shift or break while in the pack, they can spin sideways and pierce the fuel tank.
Rich
Rich
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Laughing Gas
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From: DC
Originally Posted by 96f150
Joe Finn, there was a bultetin out about the 97's not having a strap around the leaf pack. If the leafs do shift or break while in the pack, they can spin sideways and pierce the fuel tank.
Rich
Rich
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Well, I bought an Energy Suspension Bushing replacement set and if anybody has some insight on how to get these bad boys installed..please let me know. Also, while I have the leafs off, should I replace the inserts between the leafs? It would give me a chance to clean them up and remove any problem debris. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Skinner
Skinner
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