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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: exilous on April 14, 2012, 04:25:43 PM

Title: Leaf spring amounts
Post by: exilous on April 14, 2012, 04:25:43 PM

Alright its been awhile since ive been on here but I have a question. I'm trying to get my truck put back together and I need new springs. My springs were completely shot. Ive found a few websites and there is one local shop near where I live that sells them but none of the springs have the same count as mine. So my main question is how do you count the springs? The biggest packs ive seen available are 9/1's does that mean 9 total leaves on the bottom and 1 helper spring on top? Because I have an 11000lbs GMC C30 2wd 14 bolt FF and i cant find ones that are rated for my weight. I have 1 helper spring on top and I believe 10 total leaves on the bottom counting the very thick one and the main leaf with the shackles. I'll get some picks of it so I can show you all. My local shop here doesnt make springs anymore and I wanted so see if anyone has any online vendors or possibly have these springs in their possession. mine are unrebuildable multiple broken leaves on each side. Thanks for any help.

Title: Re: Leaf spring amounts
Post by: exilous on April 14, 2012, 04:30:42 PM

Sorry i mistyped, I have 11 leaves on the bottom and 1 helper spring on top.

Title: Re: Leaf spring amounts
Post by: Blazin on April 14, 2012, 06:24:31 PM

9, and 1 means 9 leaf springs, and the 1 thick one on the bottom. Sounds like your truck has 10 and 1. Any spring shop can build what ever you want. If you tell them you have 10, and 1 rear springs and want a little more they can build you a set of 11, and 1s, or 12, and 1s.
The springs on top be it 1,2 or 3 etc. are over load springs. Those are just 1,2 or 3 etc. leaf over loads. You don't count them as real springs as they do not support the truck unless the actual leaf springs are freighted to their max, or close to it.

Title: Re: Leaf spring amounts
Post by: bake74 on April 14, 2012, 07:07:12 PM

     Email Capt, the owner of the site by using the store button next to the home button above, he will be able to help or point you to someone who sells them.  Good luck in your rebuild.

Title: Re: Leaf spring amounts
Post by: exilous on April 16, 2012, 06:08:21 PM

Thanks for clarifying that for my Blazin. I never was quite sure. And yes I do apparently have 10 leaves + the thick one on the bottom and 1 helper on the top. I got some pics so you guys can see as well.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/xylus/2012-04-16_16-14-43_215.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/xylus/2012-04-16_16-14-27_494.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/xylus/23857_10150165955920713_712190712_11823396_7351256_n.jpg)

Title: Re: Leaf spring amounts
Post by: ehjorten on April 17, 2012, 09:10:27 AM

Alcan can make you a new set!  Or you can tear the ones you have down, wire-wheel each leaf, paint them, put them back together with a new center bolt and maybe even put some telfon strips between them.

Title: Re: Leaf spring amounts
Post by: Captkaos on April 19, 2012, 12:28:58 PM

Find a local Big Truck supply or Suspension shop.  The one near me is where I get all my stuff for stock replacement.