Question on leaf springs...

[Jason94sport]

I noticed my rear leaf springs on my 94 have these little spacer type things between the leafs, with a plastic rivit type thing going through the leaf at the ends. What is this? Does it hold the leafs together? I ask cause almost all of mine have deteriated leaving these gaps between the leafs at the ends. The bolt in the middle is still fine & the U shaped thing that is on the front that wraps around the spring pack is also ok.

 

[IZwack]

the material between the leaves do not keep the leaves together. what they do is actually prevent the leaves from binding against each other because as a leaf spring compresses, an outter leaf will expand its length over the inner leaf and without this material, it would be metal on metal grinding.

 

[Bronco638]

They're just a type of slider for the leaves. I notcied that the F150 leaves I used had the sliders worn out. My old Explorer leaves had the sliders almost intact. I don't really notice a difference with or without them.

 

[jimbo74]

yup what otehrs have said... they are supposed to prevent binding when the leaves slide against each otehr when articulating or towing....