Spring & Drag Link questions

[Dan Babb]

Spring:

My front driver spring has lost it's tension. Take a look at how bad it is.

I thought it was just a bit off, but I bought it to a shop for an alignment and had them put in a spacer I had in my parts bin to level the front end out. It's so sagged, that I have very little room to travel before it bumps the frame.

Anyone know a part number or place where I can get a new spring? Or do I have to take this one off and have it re-arched (if that's even possible)?

This is the stock spring with one leaf taken out (2nd from the bottom was removed).

Drag Link:

The long rod that connects the two wheels together is slightly bent on both ends. This is causing it to rub against the other arm and there's a bind so you can't easily turn it to do the toe adjustment.

What are my options? Is there a part number to replace it or do I have to hunt for a donor piece from someone else's truck or ebay?

[Jeff Balazs]

Dan;

Wow! That is pretty extreme. Looks like maybe someone removed too many leafs as well. A good spring shop should be able to re-arch the leafs and possibly supply new ones. I talked to a local shop here and they even had the factory spec's available.

I believe you are referring to the tie-rod. It should be straight. I was able to straighten mine but that probably varies according to the condition of each one. I have seen a NOS one on Ebay.....and new ends are also available.

Not cheap....but I guess if you need it you need it.

Jeff

[Dan Babb]

The fronts were only 7 leafs to start with (and I have 6 left in there). The ride feels good and the passenger side looks normal.

The driver side just doesn't have any tension left. Really strange how you can see even a bit of bend the wrong way in the middle....sort of wiggle shaped.

[52b3b Joe]

If it were mine, I'd put the stock leaf spring setup back in it because the hemi is heavier than the 6, so it would take it probably back to where it was with the 6 and a leaf taken out IMO. My tie rod bar was bent too, I got it very straight just using my small press.

[Dave72dt]

It's odd that it's that much lower than the other side. You MAY have a broken leaf.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Whats up with that little spacer under the spring? That looks kinda bad.

Bob

[Dan Babb]

I thought the leaf had just settled, so I put the spacer in today to level the front end. It will come out once I get the leaf fixed.

Could be a broken spring, but unlikely. I had the leafs pulled out, cleaned up and the leaf removed recently. They looked good and when I put everything back together, it wasn't level from the get-go. I think it just needs to be replaced or rearched.

Problem is I think I'll need to take both of them out so they can be setup with the same spring rates...right? If I just take the one in and say "fix it", how will they know what spring rate to set it to without having the other one to match it with...right? Please say no.

[Dodgeb4ya]

You should redo both springs at the same time to be sure its level and sitting correct. Yo need a good spring guy.

[KJ's Dodge]

St. Louis Spring should be able to help you out.

http://www.saintlouisspring.com/

KJ

[Rusty O'Toole]

Take it to a spring shop and let them figure it out. That's what they do. In fact most of their work is on big dump trucks and transport trucks. Your job will be child's play to them.

They may rearch the springs or they may recommend new springs. Be sure to tell them if you want light springs for light duty or the heavy duty jobs your truck came with.

[maverick]

check out auto spring on liberty street in winston-salem. they might could help you out to re-arch the springs.

[Dan Babb]

I got in touch with St Louis Spring and they're making up a new set.

I'm having them make them with 6 leafs ( for the softer ride ), but they'll throw in the 7th one in case I need to have them stiffened up.

He said they make them up to stock specs, but their springs tend to be a little stiffer than stock, so hoping a new set levels out my truck (and improves the ride).

[MBF]

She may sit a little higher than you wanted with new springs, but over time they should settle in slightly. Mike

[Dan Babb]

Got the springs in the mail this week from St. Louis Springs, so I swapped them out. Perfect fit..no issues at all. I recommend them if you need springs.

St. Louis Spring Company

Hand-crafted Leaf Spring Suspension since 1945

http://SaintLouisSpring.com

314-533-2132

While I had it apart, I took on the Tie Rod and brought it over to Rock's house where we straightened it using his press.

What a difference this all made.

The springs are nice & smooth and I no longer have the bump stop hitting the frame. The truck sits just a tad higher than it used to in the front, but not enough that anyone but me would notice (and it probably will settle a bit over time).

Because the tie rod was bent, it was hitting the steering arm in one spot along it's travel. Not bad enough that I thought anything was wrong...but now that it's straight, no more rub and the steering feels better.

Pretty productive weekend with the truck.

[ggdad1951]

sounds like the deal you got is heads and tails above what I paid from Eaton Spring for my truck....I think I way OVERPAID! Sounds like this is a way better deal!

[Dan Babb]

For others, I paid around $98 for each spring....so I paid around $220 with shipping for the pair. Not sure how much more the rear springs would have been...I only needed the fronts.

The stock setup was 7 leafs. I had them make the springs with 6, and asked them to send me the deleted one in case I needed to put it in. It would have been a few bucks less if they kept that one.

For the price, it's almost better to just buy new instead of trying to clean up and re-arch the original ones if they need work.

[beyert99]

Merle convinced me, while spending the day working on the truck with me, to replace the broken front spring. After getting some crazy pricing from local companies relating to new or refurbishing the old ones, and reading the above comments, I called St.Louis Spring Company. Dan nailed it, Rich at St.Louis Spring hooked me up with 2 new front springs for about $98 each and shipping was very reasonable. Very Knowledgable and great people to work with!

Hey Merle the old ones are out, waiting for new springs and shackles to arrive. If you come over and help with the install I will hold the light

Thanks for all the great advice on the forum, Tim

[Dan Babb]

Glad this helped.

It will be night & day with new springs and shackles. I drove with my wife in the truck yesterday (and she really hates the truck). Even she commented that it drove a lot better since last time she was in it.

[beyert99]

My wife and I wouldn't know the feeling, trying to get it out on road and one thing after another, getting really close. I think my wife now hates it also$$$$$$$ Thanks for the info, those guys in St. Louis really appreciate our business.

Tim