Rear leaf spring

[aussie87]

Hi, when I changed the wheels on my 87 Stepside, I noticed the lower Leaf did not look original and was not ligning up with the other Leafs.
Is this an after market Leaf

[Chaplain]

My step side has the same abnormality about it. I discovered it the first time I crawled underneath it. I do know that at some point in its history the suspension was manipulated but I have no idea why the helper spring is cockeyed.

[J Knight]

It looks to me like the p.o. took the main leaf and turned it upside down as a lowering technique, might have done it to all three. I bet if you separate them you will see what I mean.

EDIT: After looking closer at the pic, it definately looks like the top three are turned upside down with the overload leaf used to "flatten" the leafs out. You can seperate and restack them correctly to return it to stock height.

[Bigstevex4]

Yes its like the lower over load spring is carring all the weight.the eyes would give it away they are rolled up.

[greg64]

That's an unhappy looking spring pack, at least to me. The overload looks like it is doing everything. And three leaves in the rear? That seems pretty wimpy, although I think that was a stock possibility.

[aussie87]

this is a side view

I like the ride height, it just feels a bit stiff in the rear end.

[J Knight]

Its riding stiff because the only part of the spring that is flexing is past the overload leaf. Thats not enough flex for the leaf springs to function properly. Your drop looks pretty close to 5in, you should restack the leafs correctly or replace both leaf springs and install a flip kit to maintain your current ride height.

[andrewmp6]

If you have a spring shop close to you they can make you a set of lowering springs that will ride better.

[aussie87]

If the PO has flipped the springs to lower the ride height and restacked the leafs.
What would you suggest to do using the leafs I have

What would happen if I took out the overload leaf only

[J Knight]

Originally Posted by aussie87

If the PO has flipped the springs to lower the ride height and restacked the leafs.
What would you suggest to do using the leafs I have

What would happen if I took out the overload leaf only

If all you did was remove the overload spring as is the truck will sit on the frame...the overload is the only spring holing up the truck.

In the top of this drawing is how you leafs appear to be stacked, you need to stack them like the bottom drawing. Be aware these are under tension so clamp them together before removing center bolt.

[bdiamond]

I think there may be a leaf missing too. Didn't most trucks get 4 plus an overload?

[J Knight]

Originally Posted by bdiamond

I think there may be a leaf missing too. Didn't most trucks get 4 plus an overload?

Not really, my 82 has 3+1 and my 78 has 4+1, oddly enough my 78 sits lower than the 82.