Why not buy new leaf springs to fix sagging rear end?

[Quake Guy]

Did a search, I have the common rear end sag on a 1994 with 130k miles. How come no one recommends replacing the rear leafs with new Ford OEM leafs.

I can get them for less than $240 a pair unistalled. I know this probably more than other options, but for factory ride and feel, isn't it the best way?

 

[celly]

Used ones can be had for a lot less and often have a lot of life in them. That's a good deal for an installed price (I think). Go for it.

 

[EBInterceptor]

The used ones I got were only $75 out the door. $240 seems like way too much for me unless I was going for some with a lift built in, then I'd be willing to spend more. Depending on what you plan to do with them, you could just as well get a set off a newer wrecked X. Could even get some with very few miles for less than half the price.

 

[Doug]

Personally i wouldn't spend 240 on a new set of springs that will sag again. personally I'd spend 26 bucks on a set of AALs and put them in and be done with it.

 

[Positive Vibes]

Did a search, I have the common rear end sag on a 1994 with 130k miles. How come no one recommends replacing the rear leafs with new Ford OEM leafs.

Cause you can have your leafs rearched for around $50.

 

[Quake Guy]

This is a 94, are there much newer ones that use the same leafs?

Vehicles here in Phoenix Metrio tend to get a lot of miles, if its more than 3 years old, it probably already 80k miles on it...

Who does rearching? I don't have the time to do anything more than oil changes any more so that may limit my options...

 

[Positive Vibes]

One more time.

RE-ARCH THEM!

 

[Doug]

Rearching springs alot of times doesn't work, They'll sag back to where they where with in a few months.

 

[Bronco638]

Unless the shop that re-arches the leaves also heat treats them, the leaves will slowly revert to to their original arch (spring steel has a 'memory'). It's a cheap but ineffective way to get lift. You're better off with shackles (but they add instability), an AAL (which may make the leaf pack too stiff), the F150 leaf mod (lots of work) or leaf packs with lift built in (kind of pricey). There really is no cheap/easy way. If you're simply looking to restore your truck to stock, go with the OE leaf packs, that's a pretty good price.

 

[Quake Guy]

well, i have the OEM springs on order for a month and just called to find out that Ford is inbetween contract mfg. and there is no word on when and if they will be back in stock.

According to the parts guy, Ford starts to discontinue parts once a vehicle reaches 12 years old. I guess this says a lot about how long Ford expects its vehicles to survive.

Anyway, I am looking at a explorerprocomp add a leaf for $40 each through autozone, anyone have experience with these...

 

[scott93EB]

WOW!! dont buy them there, that is a lot for the pro comp AAL, expecially if thats 40 each, that is WAY to much. here at summit the pair of them is like 43$ click here! I will most likely be getting some soon.

The search sometimes randomlt says your looking at stuff for a 73 dodge or something (dont ask) but in the descrption these are for an Explorer

 

[Jefe]

This is a 94, are there much newer ones that use the same leafs?

Any leaf spring from a 4 door explorer up to 2001 will bolt in.

 

[Creager]

where did you find replacement leafs for 240? was it a pair? i havent seen them for less then 240 for a pair. I am also looking for replacement leaf springs.

i too would much rather have brand new springs or maybe a good used pair. Rearching, Add-a-leafs are like using duct tape to fix a hole. It works, but the problem is still there.

 

[chris_miller]

New Vs Rebuilt / Used Leaft Sprimgs

I think that New is by far the best choice for correcting sagging leaf springs. The big dicision maker is the cost of course. The attached link is for a site in Canada that custom makes any leaft spring and has a wide assotment of std / 1 inch lift / 2 inch lift etc.. They will make anything your heart desires and they ship to the US. Their pricing is in Canadian Dollars so you wil have to sort that out. I certainly like the pricing.. Here in AUS a new replacement set with 7 leaf springs and 2 inch of lift is $900.00 so feel lucky getting them for 240.00. And yes they ship to AUS also but shipping is 600.00 kinda puts you off a bit..


http://customsuspension.com/store/index.php/cPath/365

 

[Infragate]

I spent $100.00 CDN on a used set that came off of a 97 X with 25 000 kms on it. I installed them last year and got rid of my sag and they are still in great shape. I think that maybe you should phone around to some of these scrap yards and used part places and see if you can score a great set for cheap before going and buying new, you may be able to find a set off of a newer X that was barely used. Here is a site that may help too, www.car-part.com , maybe even to give you an idea. And try to stay away from AAL's cause they will make the ride pretty rough. I threw a set in with the new leafs and at first thought the ride was tolerable but after a while i had to take them out because the ride was too harsh. Once they were out it was comfortable. Just my $.02, Hope it works out for you.

 

[Jason94sport]

www.springsnthings.com

$230 a pair brand new. You can get lifted ones also up to 2" for $40

 

[matt95ssei]

I dont know about your explorer, but mine has the leaf springs below the axle.. Why would you add a leaf??? Your going to LOWER your rear end. Isn't that what we are trying to get away from?? Maybe take two of the blocks out and THEN add a leaf. You should get half an inch lift by doing this.

I am doing the torsion bar lift tonight and am going to see what i can do with the rear end by removing a block or two

Matt

 

[Maniak]

Add-a-leaf is not just adding a leaf to make the spring pack thicker (that would lower the truck).. You add an "add-a-leaf" which is a leaf that has more arch than your stock leaves. It actually lifts the truck since it has more arch to it than the stock ones.

~Mark

 

[ozmedia]

Yup, they are damn cheap

I spent $100.00 CDN on a used set that came off of a 97 X with 25 000 kms on it. I installed them last year and got rid of my sag and they are still in great shape. I think that maybe you should phone around to some of these scrap yards and used part places and see if you can score a great set for cheap before going and buying new, you may be able to find a set off of a newer X that was barely used. Here is a site that may help too, www.car-part.com , maybe even to give you an idea. And try to stay away from AAL's cause they will make the ride pretty rough. I threw a set in with the new leafs and at first thought the ride was tolerable but after a while i had to take them out because the ride was too harsh. Once they were out it was comfortable. Just my $.02, Hope it works out for you.

They are only $29 ea here (Canada). The last set I got was many years back and even at that wrecker they were $35 ea and lasted a few years.

 

[Heuster]

Running the Mountaineer 5.0 - anyone find a reason why these would not fit? Other better options? Just trying to get rid of the sagging butt on my Mounty and give me some room for the weight to carry another 300lbs in rear.

Link is here