Leaf spring replacement Tips?

Trout · 02-09-2000, 09:00 PM

Having my leaf springs re-arched this week. I'll remove the springs and put them back on myself. Any suggestions, or things I should know? I have a 92, 4x4 Explorer. I'm also replacing all 4 shocks with sensatracs.

Thanks

------------------
The cup is ALWAYS half full.

roadkill · 02-09-2000, 10:50 PM

One strong recommendation, move the rear shock mount brackets from the spring bracket to the axle housing. Most any 4wd shop will have these brackets, or they can be fabbed pretty easily. You'll gain at least an inch or more of clearance where the explorer has the lowest point.
Good Luck!

------------------
"Don't go where the road don't go." -Ringo Starr

Wil - '92 EB

DOGMAN · 02-10-2000, 12:04 AM

Trout,

Before I did the rear spring over conversion on my 91, I took the stock springs to a local spring shop and had them take them totally apart, remove as much rust and corrosion as possible, repaint each leaf seperately before the spring pack is reassembled, replace the thin metal spacers between each leaf (they were fairly worn out), use a new center bolt for reassembly, and use a bolt on spring clamp instead of the stock clamp on style.

I did not replace the OEM bushings, since the spring guy thought I didn't need to. If I were to replace them, I think I would stay with the stock rubber bushings, instead of poly ones. I think the rubber gives a better ride and also provides more flex.

I was lucky, the arch of my spring pack was within stock specs, in fact, a little high (good), so I didn't have to rearch the springs.

Doing all the little things that I did to the spring pack reduced the interspring friction and provided more articulation, as well as a smoother and more compliant ride. Using the bolt style clamps with space above the spring to the bolt (about 1.5") enables the leaves to separate during droop, which helps a lot offroad. The stock crimp style clamp probably gives you less side to side sway on the street, but offroad improvement is more important to me, as well as ride comfort.

I think repainting each leaf separately helps them slide against each other better, and also reduces the corrosion between leaves that can bind up the spring pack. Most of time they paint the spring pack after it has been reassembled. Just ask your spring man, I'm sure he could do it for you.

DOGMAN

**Ray Lobato** · 02-10-2000, 12:28 AM

Hey Trout,
Welcome, Do you ever go 4wheeling at Clear Creek?

------------------
Happy Wheelin'
Ray L.
97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC

Trout · 02-11-2000, 01:19 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial ">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ray Lobato:
Hey Trout,
Welcome, Do you ever go 4wheeling at Clear Creek?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>No, but I'd like to see it. I don't go offroad much, but I do a lot of camping and fishing.

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02-09-2000, 09:00 PM	#1
Trout Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Having my leaf springs re-arched this week. I'll remove the springs and put them back on myself. Any suggestions, or things I should know? I have a 92, 4x4 Explorer. I'm also replacing all 4 shocks with sensatracs. Thanks ------------------ The cup is ALWAYS half full.

02-09-2000, 10:50 PM	#2
roadkill Wannabe Elite Explorer costa mesa, calif. 1992 Eddie B Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 206 Vehicle Specs	One strong recommendation, move the rear shock mount brackets from the spring bracket to the axle housing. Most any 4wd shop will have these brackets, or they can be fabbed pretty easily. You'll gain at least an inch or more of clearance where the explorer has the lowest point. Good Luck! ------------------ "Don't go where the road don't go." -Ringo Starr Wil - '92 EB

02-10-2000, 12:04 AM	#3
DOGMAN Wannabe Elite Explorer Mission, KS 91 XLT Join Date: Aug 1999 Posts: 441 Vehicle Specs	Trout, Before I did the rear spring over conversion on my 91, I took the stock springs to a local spring shop and had them take them totally apart, remove as much rust and corrosion as possible, repaint each leaf seperately before the spring pack is reassembled, replace the thin metal spacers between each leaf (they were fairly worn out), use a new center bolt for reassembly, and use a bolt on spring clamp instead of the stock clamp on style. I did not replace the OEM bushings, since the spring guy thought I didn't need to. If I were to replace them, I think I would stay with the stock rubber bushings, instead of poly ones. I think the rubber gives a better ride and also provides more flex. I was lucky, the arch of my spring pack was within stock specs, in fact, a little high (good), so I didn't have to rearch the springs. Doing all the little things that I did to the spring pack reduced the interspring friction and provided more articulation, as well as a smoother and more compliant ride. Using the bolt style clamps with space above the spring to the bolt (about 1.5") enables the leaves to separate during droop, which helps a lot offroad. The stock crimp style clamp probably gives you less side to side sway on the street, but offroad improvement is more important to me, as well as ride comfort. I think repainting each leaf separately helps them slide against each other better, and also reduces the corrosion between leaves that can bind up the spring pack. Most of time they paint the spring pack after it has been reassembled. Just ask your spring man, I'm sure he could do it for you. DOGMAN

02-10-2000, 12:28 AM	#4
Ray Lobato Moderator Join Date: Feb 1999 Posts: 4,651 Vehicle Specs	Hey Trout, Welcome, Do you ever go 4wheeling at Clear Creek? ------------------ Happy Wheelin' Ray L. 97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC

02-11-2000, 01:19 AM	#5
Trout Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial ">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ray Lobato: Hey Trout, Welcome, Do you ever go 4wheeling at Clear Creek? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>No, but I'd like to see it. I don't go offroad much, but I do a lot of camping and fishing.