The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Leaf springs help.

I want to replace just the lowest leaf on the spring pack on my 1954 3100. I need both sides anyone know where I can get them? I tried Eaton at least online, where the whole pack came from.

Why does just the lower leaf need to be replaced? If it's broken, I'd replace the entire stack on both sides.

Also, whatever happened with the brakes? Did you figure out why one rear drum locked up?

If there's a spring shop that serves big trucks in your area, they can fabricate a new leaf for you. But like Otto says, it might be best to replace the whole spring pack. Spring packs are available from a number of sources. I ordered mine from the local spring shop. I was going to replace just the main leaf, because of worn out eyes, but the rest of the leaves were worn as well from rubbing on their neighbors.

My experience thus far…the quoted cost of any spring repair/re-arch work is comparable to the cost of complete new springs.

I’m still hunting for some local old timer who does this kind of work on the cheap. Actually had a lead on a guy who once had the equipment at home and did re-arch work on the side. But he has since given it up.

X2. The spring shop quoted me replacing just my main leaves, but that was the same as just buying the entire set. With the wear on the secondary leaves, total replacement was the way to go.

I was at the spring shop an hour ago and they quoted me $250 each to re-arch my springs plus parts if any of the leaves need replaced. A new set from LMC is only $200 each.

You can buy them cheaper still at RockAuto.

Not sure if you were telling me or Ron this, but shockingly enough, LMC has mine for cheaper than Rockauto.

I have been trying to decide if it is the springs or shocks. The bottom leave on both springs was shortened, I can not remember why but it was not done to my instruction. I am thinking of overloads. I thought I had some but I don't remember where I put them or if I gave them away. Or even maybe returned them. Terrible to get old.

You just have a different truck than me. For a 47-54 half ton, rock auto is cheaper.

What is wrong with your springs? If they aren't broken, and the pins haven't worn through the spring eyes, what's the problem?
Your old springs will give you a softer ride than new springs.
What is going on with how it rides now?

The springs on the rear a relatively new lowered springs, 13 years old. I am not sure if it is the springs but maybe the shocks. They are the same age. There is a particular place where I drive frequently and there is a small depression in the road and if I don't miss it it feels like they have hit rock bottom. The other issue I think is that a 20-gallon fuel tank is located where the spare once resided. I am leaning more toward the need for new shocks. I had a chart showing that a shock-mounted verticle would cushion better. The shocks are angled toward each other more than they should be, I believe. If someone could post a picture of the stock shock location it would be a big help. Forget the pictures I googled and found a bunch. Dumb me!

WebOLD Burk spring in Terre Haute can make those leaves, I learned from them how to re-arch leaves,bend them cold,if you go to far bend it back. They weren't scared to hurt em !! Got done she rode like a baby buggy,fresh wrappers and thru bolts. If you go there be sure and watch them make big saddle bolts,the work bench is 2 inch steel plate some u-bolt threaded blanks are 6 ft. long !! Coal mine trucks go there.

I wonder if that "rock bottom" sensation over that depression is your overload springs making contact. I'd remove the overload springs and see how it goes. Worn out shocks won't cause your problem. I had one come off the lower mount on one side one time and never felt any difference in the ride whatsoever. I still don't know long it had been just hanging there in mid air.

I have not put the overloads on yet. Just found them yesterday. If I was not claustrophobic I would get under it and check on some things. The shocks have been on there for 40 thousand miles and probably were the cheapest available when they were installed, Gabriels. I am looking at some heavy-duty ones. I want to put the shocks back to their original configuration.. Now they are tilted to about 80 degrees toward the center which from the chart I have is a no-no. Here is the chart.

Ron your links didn't work for me.

The more they tilt off vertical, the less they absorb the bumps, so they ride is softer and bouncier. Its a way to fine tune a ride that may not be quite right. Going vertical will stiffen the ride. Is it this chart you are using?

Yes. I have made a tentative appointment in 3 weeks to change the angle back s far as the verticle as the guy recommends. He built street rods and did regular mechanic jobs. When I was explaining my issue and told him of the shock angle he shook his head in the affirmative. I found the helper springs that I had on the truck long ago and I am thinking of putting them on myself to see if it will help the ride. But I really think the issue is worn shocks and mounted at a bad angle. It rode very well for a long time and 40,000 miles but just of late, it has gotten harsh. I drove it 9 times to KC and twice to Stovebolt Hq then down into Va. and back home and once to NC to visit Alvin with no issues. I believe I took the helpers off because they made the ride harsher.

I have never seen “helper springs” improve ride quality on any truck not hauling extra weight. Waste of time.

Yes, I am guessing that is why they were taken off.