Leaf Spring Help!

zapalac26 · June 28, 2011

Hey guys new to the forum.

I was working on my dads truck this weekend (2006 silverado 1500 hybrid). I noticed something bad when I removed his rear tire. His rear leaf springs are completely flat and bent a little the wrong way, the truck is sitting on the bump stops . This is his personal work truck which he always has a ton of weight on. Im sure this could have been prevented with an add-a-leaf and some good shocks, but too late now. So question is what to do now? What would yall recommend, 1500hd springs and good shocks? 2500 springs or just new 1500 springs with a decent add-a-leaf? Been trying to look around at where to get some good cheap leaf springs but couldnt find much. Any help would be much appreciated.

P.S. in the Houston area

Thanks, Kris

nickvrebel · June 28, 2011

go to salvage yard and get a used set of springs.

If he intends to continue to carry that much weight he needs to get a truck designed for that much payload capacity.

There is a lot more to carrying that weight than a set of springs. The tires, axle bearings, brakes and other components are being over stressed.

zapalac26 · June 28, 2011

go to salvage yard and get a used set of springs.
If he intends to continue to carry that much weight he needs to get a truck designed for that much payload capacity.

There is a lot more to carrying that weight than a set of springs. The tires, axle bearings, brakes and other components are being over stressed.

Thanks for the reply. Yea thats what I told him too but he likes the truck and since he just put a new tranny in it he refuses to get rid of it. I thought about the junk yard but was kinda worried Id get another set of abused spings. Guess thats the risk you take with any junkyard part.

You know whats crazy about those hybrid trucks, they have carbon fiber pads. He has 114,000 miles on that truck and never changed the pads even with all that weight. I changed them this weekend and they still had over half the pad left... nutz

Fobroader · June 28, 2011

Id go for a new set of 1500 leafs and then get some air bags. Like the previous guy said though, sounds like your dad is a good canditate for a 3/4 ton or even a 1500HD would be better.

zapalac26 · June 28, 2011

Id go for a new set of 1500 leafs and then get some air bags. Like the previous guy said though, sounds like your dad is a good canditate for a 3/4 ton or even a 1500HD would be better.

Thanks.

Any thoughts on where to get a new set of springs at?

Anybody know of a good website or dealer?

zapalac26 · June 28, 2011

The odd thing about this situation is he had a 95 dodge 1500 and a 2003 silverado 1500 before with about the same weight on it and they never developed such a severe problem. I wander if the hybrid model has a bunch of added weight or a weaker suspension. Any body know? I know he has a somewhat uncommon truck.

Thanks, Kris

Fobroader · June 28, 2011

Id go for a new set of 1500 leafs and then get some air bags. Like the previous guy said though, sounds like your dad is a good canditate for a 3/4 ton or even a 1500HD would be better.

Thanks.

Any thoughts on where to get a new set of springs at?

Anybody know of a good website or dealer?

I could get a set of new leafs, u-bolts, shackles and hardware from a spring shop in town. The dealer wanted 1300.....FOR 1 LEAF SPRING!!!! This was for my old 93, but I cant imagine a newer truck being much more.

zapalac26 · June 28, 2011

I could get a set of new leafs, u-bolts, shackles and hardware from a spring shop in town. The dealer wanted 1300.....FOR 1 LEAF SPRING!!!! This was for my old 93, but I cant imagine a newer truck being much more.

Man that is crazy!

I called up a local salvage yard that normally has some pretty good stuff.

They got a pair of 2500 springs for 150 each

Ill probably go that route should buy him some time at least

Going to get some good shocks too prob bilstein hds

Do I need to get new shackles and u bolts?

I will get a bushing set though, with 100+ miles prob a good idea.

Fobroader · June 28, 2011

New shackles will just mean a lot less f-in around for installation, you can just cut off all the old stuff. I got 2 new shackles for the 93 from LMC for about 60 bucks I think, even if you dont get new shackles, the u-bolts and hardware I would do for ease of installation and safety.