Will new springs actually improve ride quality? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cliffsta · 11-27-2005, 08:29 PM

Well.... will they?

I've had my hopes up for new springs, and recently the old man has been like "i think you're p****** in the wind thinking that new springs will do anything."

So... new springs and shocks gonna make me ride better or not?

**72ironmike** · 11-27-2005, 08:32 PM

Shocks could help. I'd get the "Reflex" shock if you can. Unless your springs are shot, I don't think you'll see much difference by replacing springs.

SSC's76 · 11-27-2005, 08:47 PM

Not a noticeable amount. It will raise the front up a tad if your current springs are shot. I rebuilt the entire front end in my 76 (bushings, springs ball joints ect.) expecting it to handle better then my 86. It did handle a tad better then before but it wasent really worth the investment.

**swervin ervin** · 11-27-2005, 10:48 PM

In a word, no. Unless you need them because you have one broken or something, it's a waste of money if you think it's going to solve a rough ride. These trucks just ride rough, especially short beds.

hotrodhomi · 11-27-2005, 11:17 PM

are you going to lower it?

cliffsta · 11-27-2005, 11:51 PM

Nope, I don't think I'm gonna lower it. Maybe, maybe not.

that sucks. It rides soo rough, and i changed shocks last november. It barely made a difference, just took the edge off the worse bumps.

Twas a thought.

jimfulco · 11-28-2005, 11:17 PM

If yours has the heavy-duty rear springs and you don't carry a big load regularly, then replacing them with light-duty springs could soften it up some. Otherwise, unless they're broken or sagged halfway to the ground, new ones won't make a dime's worth of difference. New rubber isolators & maybe bushings might be worthwhile if they're deteriorated from age.

jermasaurus · 11-28-2005, 11:27 PM

What about your ball joints? If they have some play, it can make any bump seem like the truck is falling apart.

cliffsta · 11-28-2005, 11:34 PM

I'm interested in any small to medium thing that will make it ride better.

no it does not have HD springs. Just the basi 4-leaf in the rear and reg coils in the front

no idea about the bushings and or ball joints, but its going to the frontend shop wednesday to get alligned.

**swervin ervin** · 11-28-2005, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffsta

its going to the frontend shop wednesday to get alligned.

In case they don't, which any good frontend man will, make sure they check everything to see what shape it's in. One of the best things you could do is rebuild the frontend with new balljoints and bushings. Stock rubber. Never ever put in polyurethane bushings unless you are looking for the most out of handling. You talk about riding rough. Put in all urethane and it will beat your teeth out. I've got it everywhere in mine and I keep saying I'm going back to rubber and someday I plan on it.

jermasaurus · 11-28-2005, 11:42 PM

They'll let you know what needs replacement when you go to the shop for the alignment. They won't align it with any worn chassis compoments. They also like selling things.

11-27-2005, 08:29 PM	#1
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	Will new springs actually improve ride quality? Well.... will they? I've had my hopes up for new springs, and recently the old man has been like "i think you're p****** in the wind thinking that new springs will do anything." So... new springs and shocks gonna make me ride better or not? __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

11-27-2005, 08:32 PM	#2
72ironmike Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Olathe KS (Greater Kansas City MO Area) Posts: 2,056	Re: Will new springs actually improve ride quality? Shocks could help. I'd get the "Reflex" shock if you can. Unless your springs are shot, I don't think you'll see much difference by replacing springs.

11-27-2005, 08:47 PM	#3
SSC's76 No No Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pueblo Colorado Posts: 1,781	Re: Will new springs actually improve ride quality? Not a noticeable amount. It will raise the front up a tad if your current springs are shot. I rebuilt the entire front end in my 76 (bushings, springs ball joints ect.) expecting it to handle better then my 86. It did handle a tad better then before but it wasent really worth the investment. __________________ 1976 Custom Deluxe SWB Med FMB.3/4 Drop. Gen VI 454, Muncie HD 3 speed With Modified OE Hurst Shifter, 3.73 12 bolt, GMPP HO roller cam, Hooker headers, Performer intake with modified Q-jet, Accel distributor. Best 1/4 12.3 @108. Funnest run 19.84 @88 full 1/4 mile burn out. 1997 K1500 ext cab 5.7 stock except muffler Last edited by SSC's76; 11-27-2005 at 08:49 PM.

11-27-2005, 10:48 PM	#4
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Re: Will new springs actually improve ride quality? In a word, no. Unless you need them because you have one broken or something, it's a waste of money if you think it's going to solve a rough ride. These trucks just ride rough, especially short beds. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

11-27-2005, 11:17 PM	#5
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	Re: Will new springs actually improve ride quality? are you going to lower it? __________________ '72 2wd blazer, bagged w/ watts link & EDC '72 C10 "Lowered Farm Truck" STOLEN 5-18-11 '66 impala ht

11-27-2005, 11:51 PM	#6
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	Re: Will new springs actually improve ride quality? Nope, I don't think I'm gonna lower it. Maybe, maybe not. that sucks. It rides soo rough, and i changed shocks last november. It barely made a difference, just took the edge off the worse bumps. Twas a thought. __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

11-28-2005, 11:17 PM	#7
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	Re: Will new springs actually improve ride quality? If yours has the heavy-duty rear springs and you don't carry a big load regularly, then replacing them with light-duty springs could soften it up some. Otherwise, unless they're broken or sagged halfway to the ground, new ones won't make a dime's worth of difference. New rubber isolators & maybe bushings might be worthwhile if they're deteriorated from age.

11-28-2005, 11:27 PM	#8
jermasaurus Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New Lenox, IL Posts: 442	Re: Will new springs actually improve ride quality? What about your ball joints? If they have some play, it can make any bump seem like the truck is falling apart.

11-28-2005, 11:34 PM	#9
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	Re: Will new springs actually improve ride quality? I'm interested in any small to medium thing that will make it ride better. no it does not have HD springs. Just the basi 4-leaf in the rear and reg coils in the front no idea about the bushings and or ball joints, but its going to the frontend shop wednesday to get alligned. __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

11-28-2005, 11:42 PM	#11
jermasaurus Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New Lenox, IL Posts: 442	Re: Will new springs actually improve ride quality? They'll let you know what needs replacement when you go to the shop for the alignment. They won't align it with any worn chassis compoments. They also like selling things.



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