Are my leaf springs shot?

stadt11 · April 4, 2014

My truck now has 103k miles, replaced the shocks yesterday after the originals were shot (when compressed they did not rebound), replaced them with Bilstein HD 4600's. The ride is much better, but I wonder if my leaf springs are also shot. Is it normal for the overload spring to be touching under the weight of the vehicle?

First picture shows the weight of truck on the springs, the second picture shows the shocks disconnected and dropping the axle.

I took some measurements from the ground to the lip of the fender (fuel level was between 1/2 & 3/4 full):

Left front driver 36 3/4"

Left rear driver 37 7/16"

Right front pass 36 5/8"

Right rear pass 36 7/8"

If they are gone, should I look at replacing, or doing an add-a-leaf. If recommend replacing vs add-a-leaf, some local salvage yards have replacements, or I can get new from a local spring shop. I've read some guys get 2500HD shocks to replace their 1500 shocks, but read that the ride will be rougher. I've also read you have to remove/drop the tank to get the front shock bolt out, oh joy.

Gun Designer · April 4, 2014

Well, I have never had any of my GMC/Chevy trucks sit down on the stop. And to me they look like they are bowed up. I think I would be changing them. I would not put on ones from a yard unless you knew they were new, or that the truck wasn't used as a truck since someone might have overloaded them in the past. If money allows put on new ones, if not put on good used ones.

Silverado4x4 · April 4, 2014

Are you the original owner of the truck? Because it looks to me you are missing a leaf as the 1/2 tons I had came with 3 leafs and a overload spring but if I were you I would replace the springs because yours are worn and weak. A add-a-leaf will give you a slight stiffer ride.

8.1HD/ALLISON · April 4, 2014

Sounds normal to me. You don't have any overloads on 1/2 ton, or 3/4 ton for that matter. Fender measurements look normal. Usually sits 1-2 inches higher in rear.

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kstruckcountry · April 4, 2014

Here is my truck, all stock springs:

gmtech4 · April 5, 2014

you have to get the " D " height checked first before hemorrhaging cash,,,

dont guess or assume anything from anyone here,,,,,simple

6.2max · April 5, 2014

Your leaf springs are done.

Get new ones.

kstruckcountry · April 5, 2014

Do you have any pics from the back?

My bottom springs don't make contact.

stadt11 · April 5, 2014

Are you the original owner of the truck? Because it looks to me you are missing a leaf as the 1/2 tons I had came with 3 leafs and a overload spring but if I were you I would replace the springs because yours are worn and weak. A add-a-leaf will give you a slight stiffer ride.

Yes

you have to get the " D " height checked first before hemorrhaging cash,,,

dont guess or assume anything from anyone here,,,,,simple

Is this what you are referring to, the pack thickness?

Do you have any pics from the back? My bottom springs don't make contact.

I'll get that tomorrow

6.2max · April 5, 2014

Measuring the "D" height is useless on springs that are already dearched.

Measuring the "C" height on the new set of springs would make more sense.

In the first pic it appears that with the weight of the truck the spring is touching the bumpstop - so it is clear the spring is too weak. Not an opinion - an observation.

kstruckcountry · April 5, 2014

Bumpstop hits a plate on the axle, not the spring. Pic from the side can be misleading. You can see where it hits in the pic I posted

gmtech4 · April 5, 2014

Yes

Is this what you are referring to, the pack thickness?

I'll get that tomorrow

no that is not a D height ,,,,,if they are flat ,they are done

6.2max · April 5, 2014

Bumpstop hits a plate on the axle, not the spring. Pic from the side can be misleading. You can see where it hits in the pic I posted

Yes I am aware of that.

Regardless it is way too close under the weight of the truck. Springs are shot.

brucelimerick · April 5, 2014

I agree the pics you took are misleading. A shock won't rebound without a spring either, it is supposed to dampen the spring action and also help absorb the hit. It then controls the spring on rebound. Ride height is controlled by the spring and it also re-extends the shock.

I just checked my truck, 2 springs and the overload. The overload pads don't touch the other springs empty, there is a gap. It isn't really an overload spring either. It is more of a dual rate spring system depending on how much load you have in the box. When the truck is empty it shouldn't really do anything, your 2 main springs will do all the work. When you are loaded the other springs will sit down on it and then you get the heavier spring rate. It allows the ride to feel softer when empty and still give you a heavier payload.

It does appear to me from your first picture that the springs are a little flat.

Your shock bolts will be easy, it is the leaf spring bolts that will give you trouble. I just replaced the shackle and to get the top bolt out I had to jack the axle up until it cleared the frame. I didn't look at the front bolt but it is in the area of the gas tank. Dropping the gas tank is a pain and you will probably be better taking your box off first so you can get to all the connections on the top of the gas tank.

stadt11 · April 5, 2014

The side images were misleading, here is another one, bump stops are not even close to hitting (I had a trailer hooked up when I took this picture so it was squatting maybe 1/2-1").