I don't disagree that there is a difference in she spacing front to rear. I would however, challenge your assertions that it is a misalignment. If this has been verified on five other trucks, then it is not misaligned, it is the way it was designed. Regarding the clunk, did you verify other sources of noise before you targeted the spring bushings? I have been dealing with a lot of 4x4's over the years and never had a total failure on spring bushings. Plenty of noisy ones and some that were worn from 300,000 miles of use, but none that just completely pooped out on short notice.

If you are experiencing a clunk, have you checked your swaybar bushings/endlinks, as well as the cab mount? All of these items have been found to be the noisemaking culpits over the years when the suspension seems to check out.

 

Thanks for the post...

Ford obviously designed it this way - I am still waiting for a response from them. I have seen the / \ setup on my truck and a good friend of mine has witnessed the springs being like this / \ on at least 5 other trucks, his own included.

I have checked the following on my truck:

1. Tracbar
2. swaybar links - replaced
3. Drag link - replaced
4. Sway bar bushings - replaced
5. cab / body mounts - checked

We can actually SEE where the spring is hitting the shackle, so it must be assumed that is where the problem is. Tonight I will wrap as much tape as I can around the spot where we beleive the noise is coming from and see if it stops it. If it does then we know 100% sure.

I have spoken with others who have dealt with 4x4's over the years, this may be a recent problem with one type of spring manufacter. We cannot pin point that yet though.

I do know superlift bushings (before they changed their design for the better) were much like the stock bushings. The superlift bushings in my truck did not last even 5 months, I think there are pictures in this thread of what the rear bushings of the front springs look like - they are not blown completely out but they do not look healthy.

I have personally witnessed a truck over the weekend that has bushings completely blown out of the rear of the front springs.

We are not sure whose make springs those were...

What it comes down to is me being interested in this prolem more then anything. I like to look at things that ARE an issue and see how to fix them or make them better

A friend of mine already made his better, he made his own brackets and his own mounts and made them | | with each other. So far so good and no noises.

I am not saying I am going to do that or get that done with my truck, but it is interesting to me anyway.

My solution is to replace my current springs with the new ones superlift sent me, they said they had complaints so it is not just my and a few others trucks with this problem.

superlift changed their design for the better in the middle of building springs for the 99-04.

Superlift claims (and I beleive them) that the new bushing design will solve my clunk.

This whole thread was aimed at finding out why something was designed how it was, this thread was meant to be a conversational piece to help me learn and understand under body and chassis dynamics. Currently to this point I understand WHY ford designed it this way, I still however do noit know why bushings are built so weak that they are eaten by fords "design"

Thanks for reading.

I know where the problem is now, i am not nearly as upset. I installed my dual stabs back on, its just about changing the springs out now.

Thanks all

Kenny

 

I have the following:
99 F-450, stock springs-no problems
00 F-450, stock springs-no problems
01 F-350, Deaver springs-no problems
02 F-550, stock springs-no problems
04 F-450, stock springs-no problems



Do I believe you may have an issue with your springs.....yes. Do I blame the truck or the springs??

The springs

 

Wow we agree on this one then

I cant wait to change out the springs and put this issue to bed, then i can move on to ARB's

DC didn't you have ARB lockers?

kenny

 

Yes, I have ARB lockers.

 

like um?

Kenny

 

Sure, just like your buddy Tankssss.

Right now they aren't hooked up since I removed my air system from my 01.

 

Im back, Replaced the springs, still had the noise

Replaced the bushing that is on the frame of the truck... these things

... http://www.angelfire.com/fang/mercury/PIX/mounts.jpg

still have the noise but only when wet... only thing I did not replace is body mounts... hummm i guess i will have to try to remove each body mount bolt, get in there and grease them and then see how it is

any other ideas?

kenny

 

UPDATE.... Removed the sway bar, no difference...

Tried removing driver side body mount, prying it away from chassis and spraying some lube in there, no difference.

I need to find a writeup on replacing body mounts

kenny

 

update -- clunking when cold too now... I read and verified that lower shock mounts on these trucks 99-04 do not have metal sleeve... that being the case, wouldnt the rubber shrink when cold or wet and cause the shock to shift... this i can verify... but i need some warmer weather..

just checking in here...

Also had to did up this topic cause i see others having spring issues..


Maybe somebody can change the title to "Leaf spring issue - interesting ford design"

thanks, Ken