Leaf springs

doughnut · Sep 30, 2013

Anyone tried removing leaves from their springs? I have an 88 truck cab and the rear springs are way to stiff leading to a very hard ride, I would like to remove a couple of leaves to improve the ride. I realise I could buy parabolics but prefer to modify originals if I can. The only problems I can forsee are lower ride height and reduced carrying capacity. Any views?

Thor1950 · Sep 30, 2013

doughnut said:
Anyone tried removing leaves from their springs? I have an 88 truck cab and the rear springs are way to stiff leading to a very hard ride, I would like to remove a couple of leaves to improve the ride. I realise I could buy parabolics but prefer to modify originals if I can. The only problems I can forsee are lower ride height and reduced carrying capacity. Any views?

not a problem, just use shorter center bolts

doughnut · Sep 30, 2013

Cheers Thor.

divie · Sep 30, 2013

It is doable but have you tried to free up the springs as they are? My 88 has a reasonable ride but took a bit of effort to achieve. Jack up on chassis to allow full articulation of springs, wire brush and if very rusty wack with a hammer to free things up, spray with paraffin or diesel and oil. Drive around for a week with some weight in the motor, repeat spraying /driving around.Jack up again and spray with grease (I use carlube spray grease or motorcycle chain lube) If possible leave jacked up overnight and spray again with grease.
After a few weeks the ride improves, on mine the ride height came up about an inch.
Try and spray grease every 3 months to keep free.

doughnut · Sep 30, 2013

Yes good point but even with spings in perfect condition, with a pick up there is no weight over the rear axle compared with a van back with seating for four. I will try giving them a good rebuild first.

Thornham · Oct 5, 2013

My 1971 Series 3 SWB had advisories for each spring - "splayed but action not impaired".
I've started coating them with a petrol/oil mix, but noticed that one of the rear springs looks like a contour map of Snowden, so I've just bought a replacement pair.
The part numbers are - 517588 and 517589.
Can anyone help me? Do these numbers tell whether these are original parts? If not, who made them? And do the numbers indicate which spring goes on which side?
Many thanks for any information you can give.

drewster · Oct 5, 2013

Thornham said:
My 1971 Series 3 SWB had advisories for each spring - "splayed but action not impaired".
I've started coating them with a petrol/oil mix, but noticed that one of the rear springs looks like a contour map of Snowden, so I've just bought a replacement pair.
The part numbers are - 517588 and 517589.
Can anyone help me? Do these numbers tell whether these are original parts? If not, who made them? And do the numbers indicate which spring goes on which side?
Many thanks for any information you can give.

not at the mo I need to get to my comp to tell but will get back to you
on another note
:welcome:

to the zone

Leaf springs

doughnut

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Thor1950

Well-Known Member

doughnut

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divie

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doughnut

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Thornham

New Member

drewster

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