QA

Question: How To Fix Sagging Leaf Springs

Can you fix worn out leaf springs?

It’s technically possible to replace only the broken leaf, but often when one leaf breaks, other leaves might be worn-out, cracked or fatigued too. It’s also not always easy to find a separate leaf that fits your truck, although a local spring repair shop can help.

Will add a leaf fix sagging leaf springs?

An add-a-leaf *can* help, however, in your case it would be more of a bandaid fix, as your springs would still be worn out. I would suggest, given the added weight of your camper shell, considering an add-a-leaf with your new springs. Maybe a new set of stock height Generals and an add-a-leaf might work well for you.

Do leaf springs sag over time?

All springs sag with age. Over time, the spring weakens and begins to lose height (coil spring) or arch (leaf spring). As the spring settles, ride height decreases and causes undesirable changes in wheel alignment.

How do you strengthen leaf springs?

By adding an additional long, full-size leaf to the existing leaf stack or by adding an extra leaf to each rear leaf spring, you can increase the load capacity and raise the height of the vehicle up to a few inches. If your truck is sagging in the back, you know you need to bolster its carrying capacity.

How much do leaf springs sag?

So how much settling is “very little?” Correctly matched springs will settle no more than 1/4 to 1/2 Inch once the car is finished and driven. Any more than that means something is not right. And, no leaf springs will not settle any more than coil springs, nor will coil springs settle any more than leaf springs.

How much does it cost to add a leaf spring?

How Much Do New Leaf Springs Cost? The average cost to replace leaf springs ranges from $450 to $790 if you hire a professional. These estimates include the cost of labor in addition to the springs and parts. The cost of the installation alone could range from $95 to $170 depending on where you go.

How many years do leaf springs last?

On average a set of leaf springs for a standard pickup truck or van will have a lifespan of about 200,000 miles.

How do I know if my leaf springs are overloaded?

If a truck gets overloaded beyond its capacity, the leaf spring will flatten out, reducing the height of the truck.Other tell-tale signs of worn-out leaf springs include: Uneven tire wear. Frequent bottoming out. A bumpier, less comfortable ride. Leaning to one side.

Should you oil leaf springs?

The springs should be kept fairly clean in order to extend their useful life. Modern leaf springs do not need lubricating with oil — which may damage any anti-friction material between leaves. Spray them instead with a silicone-based lubricant.

How do you stiffen a leaf spring suspension?

Replace the rear leaf spring shackles with longer dimensions. Extended shackles will raise the vehicle up, and can stiffen the ride if the leaf springs are sagging. The drive shaft, notably the pinion angle, will be tightened as well.

Does adding more leaf springs increase payload?

If your truck works as hard as you do, every day, adding a leaf to your existing spring pack is a great way to increase your load and hauling capacity. Adding a leaf can give the average pickup an extra 700+ pounds in carrying capacity. Adding a leaf to your springs will raise your truck between .

Can you add leaves to leaf springs?

For the purpose of adding leafs to the leaf springs under a vehicle, there are two types of products on the market — add a leaf kits and helper springs. With add a leaf kits, the leaf or leafs are added between the pre-existing leaf springs and rebound springs at the rear axle under a truck.

Will new leaf springs improve ride?

Many thin leaves mean that each leaf can have a lower spring rate, which results in a softer ride. A spring pack with many thin leaves is thicker overall than one with a few thick leaves. That is a good thing in a spring-over application since the main leaf is flatter giving a better ride.

How do I know if my leaf springs need to be replaced?

Classic signs that your leaf springs are faulty and need to be replaced are squeaking noises coming from under the hood while driving, decreased handling and hauling performances, and noticing a slight lean to your truck.

How are leaf springs reset?

Hot setting is recommended for full spring pack resets as hot setting helps to retain the “memory” that the spring is set to. Spring leaves are heated to a “black heat” around 350 to 400 degree Celsius prior to re-cambering, then allowed to “air cool”, which helps in retaining the new height setting.

Can rear leaf springs be re arched?

Re-arching a leaf spring can be done by “cold” or “hot” methods. When a spring is re-arched, the leaves are returned to the original shape. Some people say re-arching springs doesn’t work well. If the spring steel hasn’t lost its “temper,” it can probably be re-arched.