Front Suspension Springs

[Shayne]

Has anyone replaced theirs?  By chance have a Part Number and a good place to get them?  Is it a job that can be done in the driveway?  As in, can you just pop the lower ball joints and let the lower A arm drop out?

While replacing my shocks tonight, I discovered that the right front spring is cracked near the first coil on the bottom.  Perhaps this is why the right front sits 1.5 inches lower than the left.  :roll:

So I need to replace them, but would rather save a few bucks and learn a few things if I can do it myself without special tools. I know about spring compressors etc... but I'm not sure I'd want to risk it if that's required on these fat springs.

[Cookiecruncher]

If you have never done this before (on the ground)  you might not want to try it as you can get hurt and I mean real bad. Cracking the lower ball joint lose and doing this job in a driveway can be a real pain I have done this 2 time and will never do it again ( Like I said a real pain even if you know what you are doing ) Pay the Dollars and have it done by some one who has the right tools and no how.

:lol:

[Shayne]

So using two jacks.. one on the frame and one to ease the lower A arm down isn't going to cut it?

[Conrad]

Pay to have it done.  :!:  :shock:  Those babies have a lot of stored energy in them.  And since you see the crack, I would bet that whoever you pay to do it will be extra safe too.  

I would hate to lose such a great webmaster such as yourself!  :wink:

[Shayne]

Found out a friend of mine is running a tire/wheel shop here.  He said he can do it, but he's having a hard time finding OEM type springs for it.  I found some so called heavy duty ones, but don't want to make it a harsh ride either...

I'm still hoping someone will have more info about our springs that I can use to get the right part.  Maybe a cross reference?  He says all the ones he finds for the one ton Dodge Van say EXCEPT MOTORHOME.  :roll:

[Horst]

Shayne - if you're still having trouble - take it to Wright's Brake shop (Freedom Blvd, Watsonville)

Mr. Wright really knows his stuff (brakes, suspension) and I'm sure he'd steer you in the right direction as far as getting the springs, and getting them installed)

I have all my brake/suspension work done there - tey do good work.

[Shayne]

I've been there...

Glad you're having good success with them.. I have not.  

[Shayne]

OK, got the new springs installed today.  Found them at Stengel Bros. in Pennsylvania.  $120 plus $10 shipping. Part#350-7226SD

They are 'Super Duty' springs and have higher spring rates than the OEM, but claim to only raise the suspension 1/2" or less.  Well.. mine is up a couple inches, but then the right front has been sagging since we bought it and the left was under more load that way too.  The front was always a little lower than the rear, now it sits level if not a little higher than the rear, but a little air in the rear air-bags would level it out.

I was worried that it might ride rough, but so far it seems just slightly stiffer than OEM, and OEM was too soft really, maybe due to the broken spring.

Had the work done by Lloyd's Tire in Watsonville, they had it done in a few hours.  Total cost was $257 for the install and alignment.

Anyway.. there is a little review for you, as well as a source for replacement front springs.