rebuilding factory rear leaf springs help

[brans87]

Looking for some info on rebuilding rear factory leaf springs. 87 K5 go leafs out and new ORD bushings sitting in garage as we speak but what I wanna know is where to get pads that go between leaf springs, Should I go a head and replace center bolt going through leafs with new Grade 8 and last but least don't know the name so will post picture Anyone know size sleeve this is?

 

[sweetk30]

any local spring suspension shop will have the anti-squeaker pads at the leaf ends . need to check if round hole or oval hole .

next good grade 5 or 8 bolt and round the bolt head off just the points and it will be great upgrade for center bolt . FYI : WARNING : clamp the leaf pack both sides before remove the old center pin . under spring tension and can go SPROINNG

last is the slip bolts and tubes . there avalible at the spring shops also . there the just a hair wider than out side of leafs . to keep from pinching and squeaking . good bolt grade also . there for anti-fan out of the leafs under lots of flexing .

 

[brans87]

See auto zone carries some leaf spring pads if you don't put in a vehicle http://www.autozone.com/suspension-steering-tire-and-wheel/leaf-spring-pads?pageNumber=2

 

[brans87]

yeah no actually spring shop in this dang city! Think I will get one pad out (check out Autozone), one nut/bolt and take sleeve to local hardware store and get high end parts.
Know center bolt size without taking them apart? Big slide clamp is at work forgot to grab it.

 

[Zeus33rd]

For leaf spring center pins, an allen bolt of the proper size works good too. No need to take a grinder to a normal bolt. And they are mostly all grade 8.

I don't know if Alcan will sell you just the teflon squeaker pad things they use on their springs, but it's worth a call. They're stout, effective and actually stay connected to spring.

 

[rebelgregory]

I'll preface this with there's nothing wrong with replacement leaf pads.....

But my springs don't have the holes drilled for them and the adhesive ones were squeezing out. Based on some science-y stuff somewhere on the net, I bought self-adhesive sheets of UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) from Mcmaster-carr. and lined the tops of my leafs with them. I can say it has a noticeably smoother ride. Longevity is a concern and it's too soon to tell. But just in the event you wanna get fancy, I'd say it works well.

One caveat: If you use 1/8" sheet on a spring pack with say 5 leaves, you will end up with 1/2" of suspension lift. Wasn't noticeable on mine.

 

[sweetk30]

http://www.stengelbros.com/

use these guys for lots of info online . never purchased yet . as I have 2 shops in town for these parts .

 

[Deuling]

Call ORD, they can get you the pads.

 

[brans87]

trying to get this week. Waiting on suspension connection to call me back the post where andy black states part # Teflon-05 or n97 is no good. Talked with ORD today cause they recomm suspension connection.

 

[Stomis]

Definitely do not button it up without pads. I did that to a spring pack one time and they made a clunk in the front end from rubbing on each other.

Also shims at the center make a huge difference in helping the sliders work. My 88-98 64in springs came with a 3/32 steel shim between each leaf in the middle.

 

[sweetk30]

i added those shims from the newer 88-up trucks to my 2wd build rear springs and new anti squeake pads .

 

[Deuling]

For leaf spring center pins, an allen bolt of the proper size works good too. No need to take a grinder to a normal bolt. And they are mostly all grade 8.

I don't know if Alcan will sell you just the teflon squeaker pad things they use on their springs, but it's worth a call. They're stout, effective and actually stay connected to spring.

Funny, I come home with missing pads almost every time I come back from the dunes. I guess you are not abusing yours enough

But that's why I called them up and had them send me a bunch of extras.

It's always the ones that ride under the main leaf. I have been trying glueing them on. It has helped a bit.

 

[brans87]

Suspension Connection did finally find them through paper trail. Thanks Andy Black for your screen name being your actually name!!!!! Well there on there way for the price to pay ($42.00) Sucks but in a jam and Will have them this week!
So for all those looking for a part # the new part # is Teflon-03 through Suspension Connection.
Won't need another set hopefully by then I will do 56's!
Will keep posted how springs turn out out.

 

[sweetk30]

like I said few styles .

what was yours ?

 

[919jackass]

check fleet pride in garner they did mine they are awesome.
they can rearch or build a complete set for ya. they have everything.

 

[brans87]

mine was oval type on both ends.

I would Josh but don't have the time ,kinda quick clean/bushings/paint and get the 14 bolt back under by sat night. Buddy and me are working on wife's 67 this weekend so K5 has gotta go back outside.

 

[Zeus33rd]

Funny, I come home with missing pads almost every time I come back from the dunes. I guess you are not abusing yours enough

But that's why I called them up and had them send me a bunch of extras.

It's always the ones that ride under the main leaf. I have been trying glueing them on. It has helped a bit.

I absolutely guarantee you my springs have waaaay more miles on them than yours do, for example... cross country, from GA to CA, 2 weeks at KOH...Remote pit crew chase truck too... then 700 more miles to nor-cal and home. My truck weighs over 9klbs loaded with stuff. The springs, the 205, the D60 and the D70 are pretty much the only things I haven't exploded yet. Also, there is a difference between legit abuse and driving like an idiot...which do you fall under? Nothing...NOTHING is stronger than stupid.

Now...whats that about abuse? When you get over your speedhole fetish in a few years, we can talk again.

 

[tRustyK5]

I'm thinking when he is airing his Blazer out is when he is loosing the slip pads. Fully unloaded to max compression in milliseconds is probably just peeling them right off...

 

[Zeus33rd]

I'm thinking when he is airing his Blazer out is when he is loosing the slip pads. Fully unloaded to max compression in milliseconds is probably just peeling them right off...

Probably shouldn't be running leaf springs if he's gonna be jumping it regularly eh?

 

[Deuling]

I absolutely guarantee you my springs have waaaay more miles on them than yours do, for example... cross country, from GA to CA, 2 weeks at KOH...Remote pit crew chase truck too... then 700 more miles to nor-cal and home. My truck weighs over 9klbs loaded with stuff. The springs, the 205, the D60 and the D70 are pretty much the only things I haven't exploded yet. Also, there is a difference between legit abuse and driving like an idiot...which do you fall under? Nothing...NOTHING is stronger than stupid.

Now...whats that about abuse? When you get over your speedhole fetish in a few years, we can talk again.

I'm thinking when he is airing his Blazer out is when he is loosing the slip pads. Fully unloaded to max compression in milliseconds is probably just peeling them right off...

Yup id say that's a bit more abuse then just driving, and no I do not drive like an idiot