Coil spring help

[kpritchett70]

I have a 95 regular cab with a 3.0. The front is sagging (driver side is the worst, it is eating the inside edge of the tire). I was going to replace the coil springs but when I look them up on oriley's website it shows the installed height is 10.5 inch, the springs on my truck measure 10.5 inch. So I'm reluctant to order the new ones. Has anyone replaced stock springs and if so did it correct the sagging?

 

[ericbphoto]

If installed height of the spring is correct, then maybe something else is the problem. When is the last time the axle pivot bushings were replaced? Radius arm bushings? Ball joints? Front end alignment? Tie rod ends?

You can make or buy some spacers to go under the springs to help out. But make sure everything else is fresh and new and properly adjusted first.

 

[kpritchett70]

All the bushings seem to be in good shape. I don't know when the last time they were replaced was though

 

[Rick W]

How many miles? On rough roads or flat roads? What was it used for, did it used to carry a lot of weight?

In addition to the physical dimensions of the spring, the steel is rated for a certain “spring rate.“ the chemical/metallurgical composition of the steel can be altered to alter the spring rate. The spring rate is how far the spring will compress under a static load, and then there’s also how fast and how far it will compress in a shock load (like if you hit a pothole). Most people know that if you fatigue a metal, it can crack. It’s also possible for the spring rate to decay if the spring is used excessively and overloaded consistently.

I assume you’ve done a four-point alignment, yes, no? And are the shocks fresh? You can have the same spring rate deterioration in the shocks. That deterioration in the springs or in the shocks can make the tires ride funny when the vehicle is moving up and down.

Hope it helps