When to replace leaf springs
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 3
From: Suffolk, VA USA
They will. What has happened to me several times is that small cracks will appear that eventually leads to leafs falling off. Usually you can spot a difference in ride height as they fatigue.
New User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
when to replace leaf springs?
I believe a good way to tell is if your rear is sagging without any load in the back. When I was trying to decide if mine were ready to go, I came across a pretty good article that explains this. Here is a picture to help.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 997
Likes: 2
From: Rock Valley, IA
So, what are shackles for? If the article is to be believed then you should automatically replace the springs once they start to go weak. Yet, they sell spring shackles... Isn't this basically the same as "repairing" worn out springs?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Norman, Ar
You can have good shackles and weak springs.
You can get an idea if one side or the other is weak by getting a couple of people, (the larger the better) and stand on one side of truck. Which ever side drop farther down is the weak side.
If both sides hit your rubber stops without a great amount of weight, you probably should replace both sides.
Note: This is presuming that the shocks are ok or equal and that you have not noticed any cracked or broken leafs.
Hope this helps you. Trav
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 1
From: Prince George, B.C.
at 150k unless the truck has spent alot of time loaded or being beaten off road they should be ok aside from possible broken leafs.
a good example is an '88 F250 Diesel my dad bought... a good part of its life it had an 8'x10' steel deck on the back, empty the truck was a few hundred pounds from GVW. eventually we put a box on it but the springs are so beat that the other truck ('90 F250 with a 460) can actually pack far more weight. the same 11' Camper that pretty much puts the 1 ton on its bump stops only drops the 3/4 ton 2 or 3"(truck sits just below level ride height)
a good example is an '88 F250 Diesel my dad bought... a good part of its life it had an 8'x10' steel deck on the back, empty the truck was a few hundred pounds from GVW. eventually we put a box on it but the springs are so beat that the other truck ('90 F250 with a 460) can actually pack far more weight. the same 11' Camper that pretty much puts the 1 ton on its bump stops only drops the 3/4 ton 2 or 3"(truck sits just below level ride height)
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
crandallf150
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Sep 21, 2016 10:58 AM
93F150&69Stang
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Nov 28, 2015 01:31 PM
jimcar-9
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Oct 31, 2014 12:36 PM
