Leaf spring issue - READ PLEASE ??FORD - Fault?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: PHOENIX
Originally Posted by Mercury45
DC... Again, superlift springs do not allow for the use of any bushing style other then their own.
Superlift springs are supposedly one of the top manufacteres for leaf springs.
Superlift already sent me new spring packs to replace these.
Superlift springs are supposedly one of the top manufacteres for leaf springs.
Superlift already sent me new spring packs to replace these.
As for the bushings, mine went out to. The rubber or poly, whatever they use, was COMPLETELY gone on the front sprin, rear mounts. This was causin clunking on bumps and turns.
You got lucky they gave you new springs.
Superlift told me bushings are not warrantied so I had to buy new ones and they were a royal pita to change.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by Super Steve
Sorry to burst your bubble, but that is what I though too. I had them on my toyota back when they used to be made in Canada and were good. I was unpleasantly surprised when I got the springs for my f250 and they said made in india. The quality and crafstsmanship just wasn't there. Had a few issues installing them.
As for the bushings, mine went out to. The rubber or poly, whatever they use, was COMPLETELY gone on the front sprin, rear mounts. This was causin clunking on bumps and turns.
You got lucky they gave you new springs.
Superlift told me bushings are not warrantied so I had to buy new ones and they were a royal pita to change.
As for the bushings, mine went out to. The rubber or poly, whatever they use, was COMPLETELY gone on the front sprin, rear mounts. This was causin clunking on bumps and turns.
You got lucky they gave you new springs.
Superlift told me bushings are not warrantied so I had to buy new ones and they were a royal pita to change.
about 20K miles on the lift, about 8K on these bushings
As for the quoted post here..... so did you get your new bushings from superlift? Or did you find other ones.
You said "Sorry to burst your bubble, but that is what I though too." so is there replacements other then superlift?
thanks,
kenny
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by redford
LMAO - 5 pages of confrontational "discussion" because the OP noticed his leaf springs are not straight.
Was there an actual problem you're trying to solve?
Was there an actual problem you're trying to solve?
summary of the first 5 pages:
My first post shows the mounts are not stright, I asked why.
Then people questioned my measurement technique, so I measured it again, they still questioned my measurement technique, i then said it does not matter cause the amount of error I have is not much compared to how much the mounts are different by.
Then some peole posted some good reading material on WHY the springs would be mounted this way.
I will be installing new springs with better bushings to eliminate the "clunk"
as for a problem to solve - well i had / have a clunk... but thats only the part of it. I wanted to know WHY something would be designed like this - since the truck I own has a trackbar they could have mounted the springs stright, then i read the article somebody posted and it showed that it had to do with handling on road.
I wanted to know WHY it was designed this way, I understand now, but i still feel with stock or inferior bushings the stress on those bushings will kill them quickly (new ones died on me in < 5 months)
Anyway the reason for this whole post was to learn - is that not what these forums are for?
thank you
Kenny
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Lower Mainland, BC
I'm no help on the parallel issue, but if you started hearing the "clunk" with the new front springs, it looks like those springs incorporate military wraps. A military wrap is a second spring that wraps around the first spring in the spring hanger, in case the first spring breaks. The wraps must allow for movement and cannot wrap tight to the first spring, so when you corner the wrap leafs will shift and strike your spring hangers, causing that clunking you're hearing.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 639
Likes: 1
From: Cool Arizona
I thought the fabtech springs were pretty good.I dint know they were a POS. Does anyone know about how much the DR springs are with bushings? 8" or 10 ".Because if i have to replace my bushings again I will replace the whole leafs.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: PHOENIX
I had to buy my replacement bushings from 4 wheel parts wholesalers. Superlift wasn't able to help me.
I searched a little for other aftermarket bushings, but was never able to conform if they would fit in superlift springs.
I didn't have my old springs anymore so I wasn't able to measure the ID and width of the eyes.
I searched a little for other aftermarket bushings, but was never able to conform if they would fit in superlift springs.
I didn't have my old springs anymore so I wasn't able to measure the ID and width of the eyes.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 59
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From: Ann Arbor
It shouldn't cause excess wear on the bushings if the front springs are toed out and the rear springs are toed in as long as the mounting bolts are parallel. i made some drawings to hope fully show this. I cant post my pics for some reason but if your interested PM me with an email address.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: PHOENIX
Have you installed the new bushings yet?
If not:
Lather the spring eyes with anti-seize before trying to put them in.
If the springs are off the truck, use a press to get them in.
If not (I had to do this), use 1/2 inch allthread with big washers and 1/2 inch nuts to pull the bushings into the eyes. A hammer wiil not be able to press them in. When it is almost all the way in, you will need a socket whose hole is bigger than the spring eye hole to be able to center the bushing in the eye. It sticks out a little on each side of the spring so if you only used the washer, one end would end up flush while the other end hangs out more. That probably doesn't make sense, I should of taken pictures.
I had enough time, it took almost a day.
If not:
Lather the spring eyes with anti-seize before trying to put them in.
If the springs are off the truck, use a press to get them in.
If not (I had to do this), use 1/2 inch allthread with big washers and 1/2 inch nuts to pull the bushings into the eyes. A hammer wiil not be able to press them in. When it is almost all the way in, you will need a socket whose hole is bigger than the spring eye hole to be able to center the bushing in the eye. It sticks out a little on each side of the spring so if you only used the washer, one end would end up flush while the other end hangs out more. That probably doesn't make sense, I should of taken pictures.
I had enough time, it took almost a day.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
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Originally Posted by RacerLT250R
It shouldn't cause excess wear on the bushings if the front springs are toed out and the rear springs are toed in as long as the mounting bolts are parallel. i made some drawings to hope fully show this. I cant post my pics for some reason but if your interested PM me with an email address.
i follow what you mean... as long as the mounting points allow for this / \ rather then this | |
then it should be ok
i had new busings installed 5 months ago and they are shot. I have new springs going in soon... I may have to replace my stock mouints, maybe they are toast.
i will know soon cause i am letting a pro look at it soon
kenny
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 396
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UPDATE:
Sadly many other people have this same issue and never broght it to public i guess
The springs are moving on the bushing and slapping into the shackles
I will be putting the new springs on hope fully within the next couple months and it should stop the noise
In the mean time I think i will try to shove something inside the shackle between the leaf and the edge of the shackle to prevent the noise - just to make absolutely sure that is it
I am 99% sure that is it, we saw the wear marks, just waiting now to get the time to get the new springs put in
doing that on a driveway cant be fun
thanks all for responding
kenny
Sadly many other people have this same issue and never broght it to public i guess
The springs are moving on the bushing and slapping into the shackles
I will be putting the new springs on hope fully within the next couple months and it should stop the noise
In the mean time I think i will try to shove something inside the shackle between the leaf and the edge of the shackle to prevent the noise - just to make absolutely sure that is it
I am 99% sure that is it, we saw the wear marks, just waiting now to get the time to get the new springs put in
doing that on a driveway cant be fun
thanks all for responding
kenny
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 2
but there are more then just a few, check around....
The person I was working with found 2 stockers with the rear bushing being eaten up
Do I blame it on design, not necessarily.... do i want to make it right - yes If making it right means sticking the new springs in with the better bushings then its an easy fix.
I have yet to check mounting "angle" but it appears that the shackle in the back of the front springs is | | with each other which means they are not angled towards the front - but if that is the case it would be hard to put the bolt in
more info to follow - i was just checking in
kenny