looks like something is defiantly not right in there...maybe you got the wrong part somewhere...that coil spring should be up higher too if i remember right and it looks like you can move the coil without loosening the nut, if you can theres a problem (you wont be able to with the weight on it either way, frame stands are a blessing) from the pics it looks like the coil is sitting too far to the outside that could be the problem bets idea is to go find a similar f150 with the stock suspension and compare

also your j-hooks on the top are not in correctly do not drive it again until those are fixed!

there are two notches on the inside of the hook that hook into a slot in the upper coil bucket...yours are not hooked in there, this could possibly let the coil spring pop out of there and cause a lot of problems! make sure they stay hooked in the coil bucket too they tend to try and pop out so i dont blame you i missed it the first couple times on mine.

 

Thanks. I will hook in those J Hooks! I knew there was something wrong with them, but I wasn't sure.

I do have jack stands. I'll have to try it again and take some more pictures.

Thanks for all the comments. I really hope I can jam these springs in, because I can't take them back.

Mac

 

I am supposed to be working right now, but I keep thinking about the problem with the coil springs. I did a bit of comparing online, and here is what I found:

Here are all the coil springs from Napa. They just interchange the part numbers depending on the truck. Here are all the springs F-150/250/350 they have and the measurements.

Part Number:
#196: Inside Diameter 4"; load height 12.12"; free height 15.75"
#198: Inside Diameter 4"; load height 13"; free height 15.06"
#200: Inside Diameter 4"; load height 12.13; free height 16.19"
#201 Inside Diameter 4"; load height 13"; free height 16.30"
#205 Inside Diameter 4"; load height 13"; free height 16.94"
#388 Inside Diameter 4"; load height 13"; free height 15.8"
#390 Inside Diameter 4"; load height 13"; free height 19.54"

Now here are the two Napa choices for F-350 460 V8 Springs:
#198: Inside Diameter 4"; load height 13"; free height 15.06" [REGULAR]
#388 Inside Diameter 4"; load height 13"; free height 15.8" [SEVERE DUTY]

Here are the Spicer brand springs to compare for the F-350 460 V8:
#5871023 Inside Diameter 4"; load height 13"; free height 15.06 [REGULAR]
#5871124 Inside Diameter 4"; load height 13"; free height 15.8 [SEVERE DUTY]
It also give a wire diameter 0.812" for both Spicer springs.

So as you can see, it appears the Spicer and Napa springs have the same measurements for the two F-350 460 V8 springs choices.

The measurements I am missing are the spring diameters and the number of coils in each spring. That could be the problem I am having. The #388 spring I have must be a larger outside diameter due to thicker coils?

 

I agree 100% here. It looks at the bottom of the springs are not being held in place with the retainer #20. It looks as you could lift the spring about 1/2 a inch or so before it touched there. Something is amiss here. Its been a while since I worked on a 1/2 ton but could you have gotten the bottom mount upside down? You replaced the rubber ring did you remove the seat? Part # 23? I'm wondering?

Next question would be did you measure the inside to see if your new springs were 4"? and take a look at the bottom of your old springs and see if you can see something major different here.

 

Yes, I will have to take it apart again tonight and report back. I didn't take part #23 off, it is in the original location. Maybe I can get the spring centered better. Thanks...keep the ideas rolling!

 

Here are some pictures of the passenger side stock coil spring on my 89 f150 4x4.

Also here is an old link you can click on with info. about that upgrade.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...ur-info-5.html


It appears the bottom of your coil spring is sitting very low.

 

Great! Thanks for the pictures! I'll put some more up soon.

 

Here's the picture of your new spring compared to the standard spring.

 

Bad news... I took it apart again tonight and it looks as though the springs will not fit. Even with no weight and the insulator removed, the spring would not push over to clear. The spring has to face the way it was shown in the pictures because it is the only way it will fit into the top for the J-hook to connect. The spring has a much larger outside diameter than the original and will not clear. Thanks for all the responses! I'm not sure what I am going to do now.

 

yeah it looks alot bigger...im thinkin the main reason it wont work is the bottom coil where the spring narrows to fit the lower seat...on the stock one the end of the wire is toward the inside while on the new spring its on the outside, know what i mean? im willing to bet that that is pushing the spring closer to the nut so the only way to fix that is to rotate the spring and if you cant do that then you are hooped

EDIT: if you look at the two pic in post 23 you can see that the last full coil of the stock spring narrows and the last full coil on your spring does not...or if it does it narrows on the inside where the stock one narrows on the outside to clear the nut...thats bad news man you can always sell those spring if you cant return em

 

Yeah I see what you mean. The spring might have fit if I could turn it around, but it will not fit on the top if I turn it. Thanks again for all the responses.

 

macintyremustang,

Unfortunately, this has nothing to do with your problem, but in post #8, in this thread, your upper spring mount (or whatever it's called) appears to be cracked, near the "j-hook."

Is that what's going on there? Just curious.

Good luck with your springs.

BigSix

 

Thanks. Yes, I looked at post #8. The forward shock is removed in that picture, so one hole is for the other shock. I see the crack you mean. The mounts were really really rusty and I just painted them. I think it is a crack in the rust paint. I know I should have new ones but can't afford to spend any more money right now. I just sunk $800 into it on a new steering gear, 6 shocks, and coil springs.

 

I just thought id let you know im running f350 server duty springs from napa without any interference problems. It looks like the bottom of the spring isnt seated correctly.

Good Luck.

 

Could you please post a picture? I am curious to see how yours fit. Thanks.