Leaf Spring Replacement or Not?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 117
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From: Portland, OR
Leaf Spring Replacement or Not?
1972 F250 4x4 highboy with 390 motor.
So I'm doing a frame-off restoration and I'm down to cleaning up the frame.
Does anybody have any suggestions or rules of thumb for determining if I should replace the springs or not?
I see that LMC might have replacements and they are rather pricey (over $300ea for the front).
I didn't have any obvious signs of sag and the truck sat square.
I do see some wear marks on the bottom of the springs where the end of the leafs contact the upper leaf.
At a minimum, I would like to replace the bushings for the springs. I haven't removed them yet so I'm not sure.
what kind of bushing are involved. Rubber, bronze?
Any advice or discussion appreciated.
Also looking for alternative for a source for these.
So I'm doing a frame-off restoration and I'm down to cleaning up the frame.
Does anybody have any suggestions or rules of thumb for determining if I should replace the springs or not?
I see that LMC might have replacements and they are rather pricey (over $300ea for the front).
I didn't have any obvious signs of sag and the truck sat square.
I do see some wear marks on the bottom of the springs where the end of the leafs contact the upper leaf.
At a minimum, I would like to replace the bushings for the springs. I haven't removed them yet so I'm not sure.
what kind of bushing are involved. Rubber, bronze?
Any advice or discussion appreciated.
Also looking for alternative for a source for these.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 3
From: Burbank, CA
There are truck chassis shops around that specialize in rebuilding leaf springs. They typically disassemble the spring, clean and re-coat the leaves, and reassemble it with new bushings. If any of the leaves are damaged or cracked, they can replace them. They can even re-arch them to a specific new height, or add leaves to increase the spring rate. Their price to rebuild them will be much less than buying new springs, and you may get a better result. Since you have your truck all apart, you can at least take the springs over to the shop and have them take a look at them. If you're doing that level of restoration then, yes, I'd automatically replace the bushings while it's apart.
The standard bushings are rubber between inner and outer steel sleeves. They are pressed into the spring eye with a big honkin' press. Race trucks and guys who are into rattling their teeth sometimes put in bronze bushings.....but you probably don't want to do that.
Check under Truck Chassis Repair or Truck Springs
The standard bushings are rubber between inner and outer steel sleeves. They are pressed into the spring eye with a big honkin' press. Race trucks and guys who are into rattling their teeth sometimes put in bronze bushings.....but you probably don't want to do that.
Check under Truck Chassis Repair or Truck Springs
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 56
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From: Los Alamos, New Mexico
After 38 years I would say that the springs are not what they were. If you are really trying to restore the truck then have the springs re-done as xstrange has suggested. If it was my rig I would replace the springs with the correct rating and go with polyurthane (sp) bushings. It starts to get a little confusing when folks use the term "restore". How accurate are you wanting to be? My guess is that you are more looking to restore / modify your rig not just restore. If so then I would vote to replace the springs.
LT.
LT.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 56
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From: Los Alamos, New Mexico
I really can't give you a straight comparison. I have never done just the bushing replacement on stock springs. I have installed different lift springs with new poly bushings and I thought that the ride was better. Mostly due to the bushings not being shot. Sorry I really can't help you any better. The poly bushings are better because they will not fall apart like rubber will. Rubber gets eaten away from the oils, gas leaks, and other road debris and the Poly won't.
LT.
LT.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 3
From: Burbank, CA
Like LT said, I doubt that you could feel any real difference in ride quality between new poly bushings and new rubber bushings. The rubber bushings, as new, are very stiff, and there isn't much movement involved.
The main thing is that the rubber bushings disintegrate after 25 years or so, and become soft and squishy. Then you have real slop in the suspension. From that condition, any new bushings will be a big improvement.
The modern poly (polyurethane) bushings should be more chemically stable over the years than rubber, but they probably will still wear out from use. You might have to replace them in another 200,000 miles.
The main thing is that the rubber bushings disintegrate after 25 years or so, and become soft and squishy. Then you have real slop in the suspension. From that condition, any new bushings will be a big improvement.
The modern poly (polyurethane) bushings should be more chemically stable over the years than rubber, but they probably will still wear out from use. You might have to replace them in another 200,000 miles.
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