Leaf Springs - repair or replace?

[MidLifer]

All 4 leaf springs from my AD 3100 are "egged in the eyes" as pictured. Kind of hard to tell from this pic but the holes are definitely oval-shaped. I figure I can install new bushings but they will pretty quickly deform and/or come loose.

SD Truck spring will ship me a new set of 4 leaves for $700.

Can a spring shop rebuild these for less? Or should I just retire the old metal and replace it with new?

I guess I'm leaning toward replacing them unless it's substantially less expensive to rebuild them. There is one truck spring shop in my area that seems to do a lot of heavy truck business, I guess I could call them.

Thoughts?

[67GMCkid]

I would toss them into the scrap pile. they are old, brittle and are waiting to fail on a good hard bump,, lets face it we are east coast folks our pot hole riddled roads can be brutal on this old stuff..

Check these folks out,


http://www.generalspringkc.com/Leaf_...966_s/1821.htm

also drop a dime to the folks at springs and things in Danville Pa,, I have had excellent service from them in the past..

[_Ogre]

if that is your worst spring eye just throw new bushings in and your good to go
i've never heard of springs getting old and brittle. pitted and rusty, yes
my experience is a 10 year old spring is as likely to break as a 60 yr old spring
do replace the center bolt, clean and paint before assembly

[MidLifer]

67GMCkid thanks for the link to General Spring KC. Their price on the rears is cheaper than SD's. I'll check the PA guys too, shipping might be cheaper. My truck came from OR but still got abused like all of them did.

Ogre, the pic doesnt show it but when I put the new bushing up to the hole, there was at least 1/8" of clear space above it. Also the top of the wraps on the front springs were worn shiny from rubbing against the mounts. With what I'm spending on this build I'd prefer to have it put right.

[67GMCkid]

here is the link for springs and things.
They quoted, Fronts are $220 for the pair; rears are $305 for the pair , they stated they can do them over or under stock..

http://www.springsnthings.com/

[MidLifer]

Thanks - I chatted with Laura online and got a quote. They are in the same ballpark at the KC place, springs a bit more expensive but shipping less, so I'm tempted to go with them since they are closer and she is so responsive.

[67GMCkid]

we must of had her online at the same time, when I get to the spring issue in my panel I will see if I can do a pick up as they are about 60 miles from me and I pass thru Danville picking up and dropping of the daughter at Bloomsburg U