The rear leaf clamp popped apart on the right side of my '97 F-150 2WD. It's a 3+1 spring, the top 3 springs look ok but the overload spring is now misaligned.

I got this "add a leaf" kit because it was only slightly more than just a set of replacement clamps, and I read in one of the other threads it may help prevent (to some extent) axle wrap. I planned on installing one of the "half springs" on each side. I'm having second thoughts after looking at the directions.

Will these fit my truck, or should I just use replace the clamps and leave the "helper" springs off?

 

I wouldn't do either.

My right rear spring leaf clamp was taken off by the dealer suspension tech soon after the truck came in on my order of it back in 1996. The issue was a squeak, he took it off, turned out the squeak had nothing to do with the rear suspension. I noticed the clip was gone, he told me that the purpose of the clips was to keep the leaves in place during shipment from spring mfg. to assembly plant, and to make it quick to install the spring assembly to axle at the assembly plant. That they served no purpose once springs were on the truck.

I checked myself that the clips were not a replacement part available by order.

The "helper" leaf. The clips do not locate the helper leaf, and the helper leafs tend to move around a bit over time. I have been told that the sideways displacement of the helper leaf will not defeat the overload ability of that leaf. But if it bothers one, take a hand sledge and hit it on its edge towards the back, and put it back into line. Can usually be done without loosening the U-bolts. Both of mine are out of alignment with the 3-packs, one of them is displaced by about 1/2" measured at its rear end. I'm not bothering with it anymore.

 

I was worried about the horizontal shift of the upper 3 springs, as the clip will slide down towards the axle and allow the upper 3 leaves to fan out a little. I wasn't aware the clips were meant to come off, but now that I know my mind is at ease! I'll take that clip completely off and tap the overload leaf back in place. Should I remove the left rear leaf pack clip too?

Here is a better pic of the clip that "popped apart".

 

Well that's not true, if that was the case these straps would be made of paper thin sheet metal not the heavy steel you see most often and they wouldn't be riveted to the lower leaf. These leaf clips help prevent axle wrap by keeping the stack together and acting more like a single larger leaf, if too much axle wrap is allowed this leads to axle hop in slippery conditions and worse case is a broken driveshaft u-joint if the leaf spring pack is relatively flexible as it is in these 1/2 ton 2wd trucks and axle wrap exceeds the flex limit of the joint.

 

Dealers... ya gotta lov'em... I don't!

He must have taken it off, and threw it away, destroyed. And no way to get a replacement clip.

I checked my lowest leaf of the pack, and did indeed find two small raised spots on the underside, proof of that the clip was spot-welded onto the lowest leaf. So the clip wouldn't "walk".

Well, 21 years later of 1 clip missing, is there anything I can do? Know a source of an aftermarket clip? I sure won't replace a spring, I doubt I would ever find one in as good shape as mine. No rust at all, except for a very slight surface rust only where the clip once was on the bottom side. Maybe that didn't get painted. A low/no-rust environment here, plus low miles. Don't know how much spring wrapping I would ever do, with 210 HP & 290 Ft. Lbs., and an open diff.

 

I kept the original clip on the left and replaced the right clip with one included in the "add a leaf". Autozone has some but really you could probably make some or get the hardware from a Lowe's for ~$5.

Here's a link to the AutoZone replacement. They aren't vehicle specific, you just choose the 2.5 inch or 3-inch wide set based on your leaf spring width.
Superior Automotive Leaf Spring Clamp Kit

 

OK, thanks. I'll have to take a look at one of those when I get a chance. I have no idea what would stop it from "walking" one way or the other on the pack, without welding. Also wonder if it abrades the spring leaf, as compared to the original.

The original was spot-welded to the underside of the bottom leaf in the pack, so no movement there. The topside has an isolator bushing between the top of the clamp and the top surface of the top leaf, so the top leaf can move forward/backward smoothly. In a way, acting I guess just like all of the isolator bushing pieces that space the ends of the leaves apart from each other.