Suspension Tweaking
As part of my preparation for the upcoming expedition to Colorado, I wanted to make some changes in the suspension to compensate for the sagging, aging springs. The truck was almost an inch low in the rear - empty! I also needed an alignment - either toe or spring sag (or both) has caused excess wear on the insides of the front tires.
The Plan
Raise the rear. Originally, there were 1" blocks under the spring (which were put in to account for spring sag several years ago.) These will be replaced with the factory 2" blocks.
Raise the front. I have 1/4" coil spacers (with the hex opening) that were used years ago with different front springs. Currently, there are 2 spacers under the coil - I will add the third, and hopefully get the truck sitting close to level.
The Process
Raise the rear. The u-bolts took some work, and finally broke free. (I soaked them with Kroil for several days before this - ended up using PB Blaster, too.) An alignment pin from one of the blocks got stuck in the spring perches on the axle. One came out easily, the other had to be cut/ground (see picture.) After all that, everything went back together, the new u-bolts from
Michigan Truck Spring fit perfectly. Torqued to 100 ft-lbs, then 120 ft-lbs, all is well.
Raise the front. I have pulled the front end of this truck apart so many times I could do it in my sleep. Needless to say, everything came right apart, and went right back together.
Pictures of the rear work:
