Leaf spring issue - READ PLEASE ??FORD - Fault?
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Leaf spring issue - READ PLEASE ??FORD - Fault?
Leaf spring issue:
Hi all.. I have a 2003 F250 with 4x4 5.4L gas engine. 6" superlift.
I did some tests today and I was surprized to see the results.
Summary:
I measured my spring mount distance side to side. I took a level held it wide in by where the spring is mounted and made it level and then drew the line on the ground. I did this for all 8 spring mount points.
Note:
BR = Rear spring Rear mount
BF = rear spring front mount
FR = front spring rear mount
FF = front spring front mount
Here are the results:
Here is what the springs look like after being mounted in the truck.. My mental issue is that it looks to me that the spring can flop around inside the shackle as it wishes and bang against the side of the mount.
If that is not enough info to spark conversation or at least get somebody else to try the same test then I dont know what to say
Thanks all for reading
kenny
Hi all.. I have a 2003 F250 with 4x4 5.4L gas engine. 6" superlift.
I did some tests today and I was surprized to see the results.
Summary:
I measured my spring mount distance side to side. I took a level held it wide in by where the spring is mounted and made it level and then drew the line on the ground. I did this for all 8 spring mount points.
Note:
BR = Rear spring Rear mount
BF = rear spring front mount
FR = front spring rear mount
FF = front spring front mount
Here are the results:
Here is what the springs look like after being mounted in the truck.. My mental issue is that it looks to me that the spring can flop around inside the shackle as it wishes and bang against the side of the mount.
If that is not enough info to spark conversation or at least get somebody else to try the same test then I dont know what to say
Thanks all for reading
kenny
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From: Stephensville WI
So, you assume that the leaf springs should be parallel?
Let's say for a moment that they should be (I honestly don't know), if I were Ford I would point to your 6 inch lift as a contributing factor.
Let's say for a moment that they should be (I honestly don't know), if I were Ford I would point to your 6 inch lift as a contributing factor.
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red ford, I do think they should be stright (but again thats my opinion and thats why I am asking) but how can ford point to the lift. Stock truck mounting location is in the same "cocked" spot.
The springs are mounted not stright obviously - the question i have is - is that done intentionally by ford or did they mess up?
The blame cannot be placed on the lift, it does not matter if i was hanging sausages from the spring mounts - they should not have "moved" from stock.
Plus i had a friend check other stock trucks and he found the same thing!
kenny
The springs are mounted not stright obviously - the question i have is - is that done intentionally by ford or did they mess up?
The blame cannot be placed on the lift, it does not matter if i was hanging sausages from the spring mounts - they should not have "moved" from stock.
Plus i had a friend check other stock trucks and he found the same thing!
kenny
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Were you holding the level vertically, getting it level, and then drawing the line? If so, it wouldn't take too much of an error in your level to make a gross error on the pavement.
I think I would try using a plumb bob, coming straight down from the measured center of the fronts and rears of each spring.
I think I would try using a plumb bob, coming straight down from the measured center of the fronts and rears of each spring.
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guys, I checked my truck and ended up with the same results as somebody else who checked 5 other trucks... Please assume my measurements are correct - since I am 98% sure they are.
if you dont believe me - do it yourself. I agree a plum bob is a good idea... its dark now but i will do that next good day i get, i would bet i am not much different then now.
I am not asking for criticism of my measurement method, I am asking why ford would do this - have the springs cocked - Did you not see the pictures of the bushings? Dont they look a little tweaked to you, that does not happen if the springs are straight.
thanks,
Kenny
if you dont believe me - do it yourself. I agree a plum bob is a good idea... its dark now but i will do that next good day i get, i would bet i am not much different then now.
I am not asking for criticism of my measurement method, I am asking why ford would do this - have the springs cocked - Did you not see the pictures of the bushings? Dont they look a little tweaked to you, that does not happen if the springs are straight.
thanks,
Kenny
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From: Airdrie Alberta
If you and this other guy have 6 trucks the same so far, does this not sorta say to you that maybe it was done intentionally? Does the truck track true? If it does why make a fuss out of it?
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From: the woodzies
i noticed the same thing when i took off my stock springs they were sitting a little crooked, but i never really realized it until you brought it up. I have no idea why they would be like this....
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Originally Posted by rollerstud98
If you and this other guy have 6 trucks the same so far, does this not sorta say to you that maybe it was done intentionally? Does the truck track true? If it does why make a fuss out of it?
and they are beat to snot - I think it is because of the crooked mounts.
Now I will have to agree ford did this on purpose... the question is - "IS IT RIGHT"???
the design team sits down and does it all on paper and it may seem great, they may have looked at this and said, ah no big deal theres not much stress there. And yet the bushings are getting torn to crap.
my question is WHY would ford do this, my truck runs great other then a horrible clunk I and so many other people get likely from this issue.
Kenny
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From: IL, USA
I've beat the snot out of my 01 over the years and never had issues with leaf spring bushings.
All my work trucks get the springs worked pretty hard since they get heavily loaded and never had any issues.
Maybe you have cheap bushings?
All my work trucks get the springs worked pretty hard since they get heavily loaded and never had any issues.
Maybe you have cheap bushings?
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From: Stephensville WI
THe lift causes the axle to have more leverage when applying force back to the leaf springs, much like using an extension bar on a socket wrench handle. This is why Ford would come back and point at the lift.
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Originally Posted by DCSpecial
I've beat the snot out of my 01 over the years and never had issues with leaf spring bushings.
All my work trucks get the springs worked pretty hard since they get heavily loaded and never had any issues.
Maybe you have cheap bushings?
All my work trucks get the springs worked pretty hard since they get heavily loaded and never had any issues.
Maybe you have cheap bushings?
Now my question is not about the bushings, not about the spring it self. It is about WHY would the mounts not be in line with the truck it self... mechanically it does not make sense to me... maybe there is a good explination but I have yet to hear one.
Maybe this will end up being an error on fords part, maybe not. I just want to know the truth so I can fix it and move on
THe lift causes the axle to have more leverage when applying force back to the leaf springs, much like using an extension bar on a socket wrench handle. This is why Ford would come back and point at the lift.
I am also not saying this is definitly my noise issue... but it sure does not seem right.
DC, i realize you prolly never had a problem, maybe you always used DR springs, which use a different bushing. However, the mounting offset is what bothers me, and it seems like so far with exception to one person here - everybody has been ignoring that part of my question.
Kenny
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From: IL, USA
Does the mounting setup of the springs make a difference?
I don't really see a lot of posts about people tearing through leaf spring bushings.
Are you sure that your spring bushings are making noise?
I don't really see a lot of posts about people tearing through leaf spring bushings.
Are you sure that your spring bushings are making noise?
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Originally Posted by DCSpecial
Does the mounting setup of the springs make a difference?
I don't really see a lot of posts about people tearing through leaf spring bushings.
Are you sure that your spring bushings are making noise?
I don't really see a lot of posts about people tearing through leaf spring bushings.
Are you sure that your spring bushings are making noise?
I do know there are lots of people chasing a similiar noise to what I have... when I find it - I think it will make ALOT of people happy.
If its not the trackbar (tightened to 750+ ft lbs with friction tape around the bolt, hammered it in and gave it heck.) It aint the sway bar bushings or drop links. ITs not the body mounts its not the drag link or steering system, its not the trac bar drop bracket.
Really, whats left other then spring bushings? Oh and it does it more often when wet.
Kenny
Kenny
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From: Airdrie Alberta
My front end clunks, I had removed the front sway bar completely and all clunking was gone so I know where mine comes from. I haven't checked my springs to see if they are the same way or not but I don't think I will even.