I'm so full of questions tonight. I've probably used up my allotment already, but I'll inquire anyway.

One of the concerns I had when I bought this 2004 1500 2-door short bed 4X4 is that the rear springs look like they might have a bit of sag to them. Now, the rear still sits a little higher than the front, like it should as shwon below...



The problem I have, or don't have, is that it looks like the spring might have a sagging center. Here's a photo of the spring, looking at it from the rear of the truck...



Notice how it appears as if the spring rises just a bit as it goes over the axle, almost like it got bent downward on either side of the C clamp. Now, this would seem an odd place for the spring to fatigue, but stranger things have happened. (The bottom leaf is supposed to be turned downward - it is basically an overload leaf for those times when you REALLY overload the truck). It's the top 3 leaves that I'm concerned about.

Anyway, the vehicle rides well, doesn't sag, and handles decently (for a truck anyway). I'm just wondering if this spring shape is normal or if I have some fatigue. BTW, both springs are exactly the same.

Thanks, y'all!

 

Yeah, they don't look right.
Not a great pic but here's mine

 

That is how it is suppose to look.
Your truck looks stock.
Here is a picture with my truck leveled before lowering it.

 

I'm thinking that a little fatigue maybe. The truck towed a pretty substantial trailer in the past, with a tractor on it. I know the previous owner well - he has a nice 16-18 foot trailer, and has towed a couple of tractors with this truck.

I'm looking forward to a couple more opinions, but I suspect that I'll be replacing the leaf springs in the next 6 months or so.

Redtruck - yours looks a lot like mine. Might even be a bit lower in the back. Maybe that's the normal curve for the springs.

 

Your springs look ok, if you think it has had some heavy use. You might check the shocks.




Good luck...

 

Curious - did you lower by going to a "spring-under" from a "spring-over" setup?

 

Mine is lowered using a flip kit which is the standard way to drop 4 - 4.5 inches. I was just showing you the spring. I tow a MC trailer but the truck has never been used hard for hauling.

 

Thanks. I was just curious about the different configuration.

 

Big difference between your springs redtruck and the OP's which severly sag after the axle. That should not be like that. The sag probably makes such a tiny difference in ride height, but again, they shouldn't be like that. The front of the leafs look pretty bent to me.

 

I'd almost bet that these springs got laid up agianst the overload leaf a time or two.

I think I'll be looking at replacing them after I replace the tires. They might sit like this for years, but I'd rather have the full capacity, especially since I intend to actually haul heavy things from time to time.