I am putting new front leaf springs on my truck this evening. I was wondering if any one had any good instructions. I know it should be easy but I wanna make sure I do it right and all the torque specs are right. Thanks.

 

Leaf Spring
Removal & Installation
To Remove:

Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
Position jack stands under the axle housing.
Remove the shock.
Remove the nut and bolt.
Remove the shock from the front spring cap.
Remove and discard the U-bolts.
Remove the four nuts.
Remove the two U-bolts and the front spring spacer. Discard the U-bolts.
Disconnect the front driveshaft.
Remove the four bolts and the two straps.
Remove the driveshaft from the pinion flange.
Disconnect the spring shackle.
Remove the nut and bolt.
Position the spring shackle away from the spring.
Detach the pushpin and remove the bolt and condenser bracket.
Disconnect the spring hanger.
Remove the nut and bolt.
Using a hammer, tap the spring until the spring is free from the hanger bracket.
Remove the spring from the vehicle.
To Install:

CAUTION
Never reuse U-bolts. The U-bolts are a torque-to-yield design and cannot be retightened. Failure to use a new U-bolt can result in loose or broken springs and suspension components.

Position the spring in the vehicle.
Install the spring into the spring hanger.
Position the spring into the hanger.
Install the bolt and nut. Do not tighten the nut and bolt at this time.
Install the bracket and bolt and the pushpin and tighten bolt to 80 in. lbs. (9 Nm).
Install the spring into the spring shackle.
Position the shackle.
Install the bolt and nut. Do not tighten the nut and bolt at this time.
NOTE: The U-bolts insert through the front spring cap on the left-hand side and through the axle assembly bracket on the right-hand side.

Install the upper front spring spacer and U-bolts.
Position the front spring spacer and the new U-bolts.
Install the four nuts. Do not tighten the nuts at this time.
Install the shock, bolt and nut onto the spring cap and tighten bolt to 76 ft. lbs. (103 Nm).
NOTE: The suspension must be loaded with the weight of the vehicle before the U-bolts and the leaf spring mounting bolts can be tightened. Make sure that the locating pin is correctly aligned with the axle.

Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands until the front suspension is supporting the weight of the vehicle.
Tighten the U-bolts in a criss-cross sequence to 99 ft. lbs. (133 Nm). This will tighten the U-bolts evenly.
Tighten the leaf spring rear retaining bolt and nut to 185 ft. lbs. (250 Nm).
Tighten the leaf spring front retaining bolt and nut to 203 ft. lbs. (275 Nm).
Raise the vehicle and remove the jack stands.
Install the front driveshaft and tighten to 76 ft. lbs. (102 Nm).
Position the driveshaft onto the pinion flange.
Install the two straps and the four bolts.
Install the wheel and tire assembly.

 

Thanks Stone. Good info.

 

I don't have the torque specs with me so I can't help you out with that. The spring job should take 2-3 hours.

It starts with removing the shocks and sway bar links; supporting the frame rail behind the front spring rear hanger with a good set of jack stands; make sure you are up high enough to allow the front axle to drop low to remove the old spring but most important to fit the new springs if they have a better arch to them. Don't open the doors when it's up like that.

Remove the front bumper and front hanger X-member (may have to remove the bolts holding the power steering cooler in place to get the front spring bolts out). Lossen the spring U-bolts enough to allow things to move but not come apart. Do one side at a time and by all means, use new spring U-bolts.

Should go good.

 

Anytime Adam.

That's for a 2003, F350, 7.3. (Got that info from your sig. If that's not right, let me know.).

Good luck, and be careful!!

Stone

 

That's it Stone thanks. Thanks skoveng. Good info.

 

Adam,

How'd it go? I've been thinking about doing this to my truck, as my leaf springs in the front are starting to go a little negative arched.

Where'd you get the springs?

Stone

 

kind of off topic but am looking for some overload springs for the rear axle on my truck, where did you get the ones for the front?

 

I got rancho leveling springs p/n rs44057. It went alright, but I had to disconnect my trck bar to get the axle to line up and now I can't get it to line up again. Any suggestions?

 

good question let me see what i can find out

 

I didn't see that part number listed on their website:RANCHO Suspension - Home
Might try to call their number and see what they say.

 

they're closed today thanks though

 

turn your wheels 1 way or the other, this will take another person, i mean crank it all the way and hold, this should line things up. front has to be in air. this is how my friend and i got mine to line back up