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| | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 16 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 16 | Hi everyone.
Don't shoot me; I used search, and after scrolling through 10 pages or so, didn't find the answer to my question.
Noticed the leaf springs on the driver's side of my truck are in need of attention. Specifically, the holding straps have come undone, and the metal strips are no longer sandwiched closely together as they should be.
Is this a major problem? The pass side looks okay, but am concerned about the other. This truck is a driver, restored to what I would grade as a medium condition. Not used daily, but fairly often, sometimes to haul stuff for various yard or home improvement projects. Sometimes just for FUN!
Research tells me repair may not be an option, an I'm assuming both should be replaced at the same time.
How expensive should I expect this to be? BTW, I'm a female with some mechanical abilities, but not the tools or muscle this would probably require. (My DH is not mechanically inclined, so that's out.) Can the truck be driven as is, or should I make this maintenance a first priority? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 | If you have a local spring shop those straps can sometimes be repaired by heating ,pounding in shape and cooling. Usually the leaf spring has to come off the truck. A local repair shop might be able to help too. Shouldn't be too expensive unless the shop is removing the spring for you. Hourly rate?
Drew
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | .... whatever you decide to do be Very very careful working with the springs. Very careful. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,198 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,198 | With out seeing the springs, its hard to judge if its OK or not, I would get it to a local alignment shop or spring shop that deals with older vehicles. Don't expect a Wal-Mart oil changer to know what a leave spring is!
As far as changing them, its pretty easy other then the weight, 30 to 40 lbs each. The u-bolts will be tight, but should come off with some pre-soaking. The end bolts usually come out if they have been greased regularly. None of these require special tools or even that big of a tool, you might need a piece of pipe on the end for leverage, but thats about it. Once the front tires are off the ground, all the spring tensions is removed so they are safe to remove.
As far as new ones, I paid a little over $200 each for my '37 truck front springs. Shop around, prices vary a lot. The link section above has a lot places to check, try local first, it will save you some shipping money.
You are right about changing both at once, same for getting them repaired, both should be done at the same time. You don't want one stiffer then the other.
Joe
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