Damn things broken

[TheCyclone]

I've only had the truck a couple weeks, so when I went to change my tires I came across something rather surprising. The leaf spring on the drivers side is broken! I thought I'd just go to the yard and grab another one, but it turned out not to be so easy. Nothing looks like mine does. I have a total of 8, the top two (which are broken) are seated differently. They kinda look upside down. I've attached some photos. Anyone know what I'm looking at? Why can't I find anything similar? And is it as simple as unbolting the old leaf spring (the whole thing) and bolting on the new one. Thanks.

[70_F100]

Not 100% sure, but it looks like something aftermarket.

The flex-o-matic shackle on the rear of the truck shouldn't be hitting the spring, and I've never seen that "looped" spring configuration.

[m-mman]

I concur with the above.


In answer to your other question YES, swapping leaf springs is as easy as unbolting them HOWEVER. . . . .
The nuts on the U-bolts to the axle are always a bear. They are both tight and rusted. Clean them up with a brush and soak them with a penetrating oil and maybe even re-cut the exposed threads with a die before you remove them.

Next make sure the springs are UNLOADED. Put the frame on stands and lower the rear axle until the springs are NEUTRAL. The spring is neither compressed from pushing against the body NOR stretched from hanging down too far. IF everytihng is perfectly neutral, then the eye bolts will slip out fairly easily. (Ok, maybe ya gotta hammer them a little bit)

[BobbyFord]

That is not a stock set up.

[fordman]

for some reason. i cant open those attachments. so the pics are hard to see for me. but it sounds liek taking the helper springs off and getting rid of them is the thing to do. if those are what are broken.

[TheCyclone]

Thanks for all your replies. It is just the helpers that are broken, so now that I know what they are I will remove them. Good News!

Its a rusty I-beam that you see next to it. Its on the list...

The rear shackle is out of place, I'll be knocking that back where it goes. Hopefully all will go smoothly.

Thanks again