Should I have the leaf springs re-arched?

[JWW]

I'm trying to plan ahead and figure what I need to budget for.

With that being said; is it worth getting the rear leaf springs re-arched? I'm sure these are the original springs or at least 25-30 years old. A local spring shop can re-arch and add a spring for $160.00 for the pair.

The truck is a 67' F100.

Thanks

[m-mman]

Well, if ya got money to spend sure, why not?

However if you are on a budget then ask yourself, do you really NEED to.
First concept - springs do not "wear out" they are made of metal, so they dont rot either.

If asked to carry a heavy load for a long time (how was your truck used?) they take on a new shape - flatter.
The process is just like when you stretch a small coil spring to increase the pressure.
Replacement is absolutely necessary only if your leave(s) are cracked or broken. Then they must be replaced.

So . . . is/was your truck sitting level? (side to side & front to rear) If so, then leave them and save a few $$$$

Are you planning to carry heavy things in your truck?
Then having the originals re-arced and adding a leaf would be of benefit.

Again think about how you plan to use it. Stiffer (newer?) springs also give a stiffer ride. . . . .

[convincor]

Springs DO wear out. The ends of the leaves where they rub the spring above get worn down and get very thin to a knife like edge. The "spring" itself also weakens over time. Just like any piece of metal you bend back and forth, and eventually it breaks.

Streching a spring to make it longer doesnt increase pressure. It's only is making it longer. As long as the wire diameter is the same the spring rate is the same.

Metal doesn't rot since when

Re-arching and adding a leaf is a bandaid for worn springs. If you want to do it right, replace.

[JWW]

Thanks for the response guys. I will have the springs looked at and evaluated. I know deep down I want to do the right thing, but it helps to get input from other Fordification members.

I will probably stick with the springs I have since I do not plan to haul anything heavy or at all in the truck once complete. I'm fortunate enough to have another truck for that.

[m-mman]

Metal doesn't rot since when

Not in California !
I guess my point is that if a truck has RUSTED OUT LEAVES(!) I can only imagine what the frame is like and would wonder why someone is bothering with it.

[convincor]

Metal doesn't rot since when

Not in California !
I guess my point is that if a truck has RUSTED OUT LEAVES(!) I can only imagine what the frame is like and would wonder why someone is bothering with it.

Have you ever seen a 40 year old NewEngland truck. There few and far round here. There in someones rust garden

[JWW]

Not in California !
I guess my point is that if a truck has RUSTED OUT LEAVES(!) I can only imagine what the frame is like and would wonder why someone is bothering with it.

Metal is good. I'm fortunate to have a solid frame and leaf springs. It is silly for me to think 40 year old springs would not need adjusting or replaced.

Thanks

[speed bump]

I would probably have the spring packs rebuilt and rearched. When they rebuild them they replace cracked, broken, and screwed up leaves, they also re-arch the spring because over time with a load the springs will fatigue and not support the load at the full ride height, however by stress relieving them and rearching them they are back to new specs.

Only reason I can see to build completely new spring packs is you want something really different.

[Alvin in AZ]

I would probably have the spring packs rebuilt and rearched. When they rebuild them
they replace cracked, broken, and screwed up leaves, they also re-arch the spring
because over time with a load the springs will fatigue and not support the load at the
full ride height, however by stress relieving them and rearching them they are back to
new specs.
Only reason I can see to build completely new spring packs is you want something really
different.

x2! :)

I re-arched my own.
Worked great! :)

You pay $160 and get a better job...
-but- you'll miss out on the really-good-workout from swinging that sledge hammer! LOL :)

How's the shop do it?
Hammers or rollers?

Rollers is the way Ford did it to start with. :)
They were heat treated straight and then curved.

Just like yours when they were brand new, they'll settle some, give 'em time.

---------------------------

Oh yeah, bought my pickup new and I'm the only one that's had it apart...

One of my leaf packs' axle locating pin is 5/8" closer to the center of the front eye than the other!
I picture a guy at the factory picking one of those leaf packs-out for my pickup's frame special so
it wouldn't crab down the road like a Chevy (would back then). Thank you, whoever you are. ;)

They both have the same part number on them. The part number is stamped in a different place
and I can tell by looking at the leaves, those two leaf packs weren't made one right after another.
They look different in many but very subtle ways. One pack was made non-standard on purpose is
the way I figure it. How's yours? ;)

So, IMO if you go with store bought leaf springs, first -measure the crap out of everything- before
swapping out parts. Don't want your old truck going down the road looking like a brand new 70's
Chevy do ya? ;) (that's when I noticed that sloppy business the most, it really looked like crap!)

Alvin in AZ

[bluemoose]

Convincor,

I don't think that they rust up here so much as evaporate!
Looking for a bed without significant rust in VT is like looking for a snake in Ireland, you hear tell of them, but in your heart of hearts you know they don't exist.

Moose

[convincor]

A bumpside bed in VT
I think youd have a better chance of finding a Kangaroo up there