Rear suspension, spacers and Leaf springs removal questions

[Timsar]

Hi
Couple of questions on my 74 k5, 4x4:

1) trying to take out two leafs springs each, #2 and #4, out of 6 leafs total from the rear, to soften the ride. Thoughts on this?

2) there is a 2.5" high solid metal block under the driver side leaf set. The passenger side is 3" What are these for?

3) passenger side rear also has two 1/2" thick plate spacer under the leaf springs, but driver side does not have it? What are they for?

Was this an attempt to increase the range of travel or raise the ride height?

What happens if I remove these?

Thank you in advance fir sharing your knowledge with us, newbies.

 

[sweetk30]

Someone was compensating for worn sagged bent springs or bent frame or worn body mounts to make it look right .

You be best to get a new set of springs and start from there .

Years ago i liked the 22-553 rear springs . Rode good on my long bed 1/2 ton . General spring has god shipping and prices . I have used them a few times .

 

[Blue85]

The lift blocks and cut-off leafs are there to raise the truck. They have no effect on amount of suspension travel or stiffness. When you say #2 and #4 are you counting from the top or the bottom? Counting from the top, #4 has the spring clamps, so you would have to devise a way to attach them to another leaf.

Removing leaves will make the pack softer, but also lower the height. The results are hard to predict and the spring will now fatigue more quickly. It sounds like one side has 4" of lift and the other has 2.5", so you're obviously starting off with some damaged and/or mismatched springs. How will you get a similar height adjustment in the front?

Start off by measuring how high the suspension is now, front and back. The method is posted here many times. Figure out how high you want it to be and then form a plan from there. A shackle flip may be a good way to get rid of the blocks. The best way is to get new springs - stock ones are pretty soft and not very expensive.

 

[Timsar]

The lift blocks and cut-off leafs are there to raise the truck. They have no effect on amount of suspension travel or stiffness. When you say #2 and #4 are you counting from the top or the bottom? Counting from the top, #4 has the spring clamps, so you would have to devise a way to attach them to another leaf.

Removing leaves will make the pack softer, but also lower the height. The results are hard to predict and the spring will now fatigue more quickly. It sounds like one side has 4" of lift and the other has 2.5", so you're obviously starting off with some damaged and/or mismatched springs. How will you get a similar height adjustment in the front?

Start off by measuring how high the suspension is now, front and back. The method is posted here many times. Figure out how high you want it to be and then form a plan from there. A shackle flip may be a good way to get rid of the blocks. The best way is to get new springs - stock ones are pretty soft and not very expensive.

#2 and 4 are from bottom. I was told: "must keep" no. 1 and take out 2 &4 or 3&5.
#3 has the clamp, so it will stay.

 

[sweetk30]

you pull 2 its going to be soft . . and lots more axle wrap . . i always told customers start with 1 unless you have done this before with known results .

 

[Timsar]

Good to know. Thank you. Start small.

 

[sweetk30]

did a set of 22-547 leafs in a k5 and pulled 2 leafs . rode good flexed good and customer was happy . his was rolling on 37" tires . and the 4" ORD flip kit was in backwards to do the 56" spring swap no problems .

the thinner the leaf the smother the ride + the more of these the weight spec is meet . so do not always assume # of leafs in a pack = stiff or smooth ride . cause 2-3 thick leafs will hold a lot but wont flex worth a crap for a hard ride .

 

[Timsar]

did a set of 22-547 leafs in a k5 and pulled 2 leafs . rode good flexed good and customer was happy . his was rolling on 37" tires . and the 4" ORD flip kit was in backwards to do the 56" spring swap no problems .

the thinner the leaf the smother the ride + the more of these the weight spec is meet . so do not always assume # of leafs in a pack = stiff or smooth ride . cause 2-3 thick leafs will hold a lot but wont flex worth a crap for a hard ride .

Thank you.
After spending one whole day, trying to get one spring out, spending $100 for deep sockets and a 24" socket handle and countless bends, Kneels and crawls, push and pull to the max, I decided to spare my tired, old 60 year old body and give it a break and have a pro do this. Frankly, it ain't worth the injury.

 

[sweetk30]

If you got springs out thats over half the battle . . But play it safe sounds good also .