The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Leaf Springs...1950, 3100

Have a '50, 3100 with droopy springs all the way around. Makes for a rough ride for Mama. She's kinda loosened the purse-strings after riding in the truck all day Saturday.

I have looked in to re-arching the springs and could get it done for $300-$400 for all 4. Have also looked in to stripping all the old stuff out and putting new all the way around.

I don't have plans for this to ever be a show truck, and she probably won't ever be a daily driver. That said, I'm leaning (no pun intended) toward the re-arch but don't mind investing in all new since I've heard the re-arch can start sagging again after a while.

What say y'all???

Springs are "hardened" and over time they flex enough to "work harden". As metal gets harder it is more likely to crack. Time and hard work will wear them out. Re-arching might be OK for a spring that is say, 20 years old? OK here comes the "Opinion". My thinking on springs that have changed shape is that they have been over loaded. Not just one time but lots of times. I would not trust a 60 year old spring that has deformed enough to be "droopy" to hold it's shape for very long. It might be time to replace them and put new bushings in at the same time. All new springs are available from vendors for about $300 front and $400 rear. Even a "Sunday" driver should ride and steer safely.

I doubt that she will be any happier with new or re-arced springs. These things ain't Cadillacs, heck they ain't even Yugos. Make it smell nicer and let her put in one stuffed animal of her choice (no pink, they just get more needy if we spoil them).