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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: frogman68 on April 05, 2008, 07:14:14 pm

Title: What would you do
Post by: frogman68 on April 05, 2008, 07:14:14 pm

I was taking the leafs out of the rear (76 Gmc C3500) I noticed one leaf is broke. I looked them up online but every site (If Chris reads this can you get springs??) lists the rear as only having 8 leafs this truck has 10.

I am thinking just taking the broke one out on each side and leave it at 9 since the books only list 8 truck wont be having that much weight (if it ever gets done) but might pull some trailers (boat trailer around 4k lbs)

Title: Re: What would you do
Post by: VileZambonie on April 05, 2008, 10:03:54 pm

The cheapest way out will be a spring shop and getting new leaves. Odds are if a leaf cracked they are fatigued and probably won't sit correctly especially when loaded.

Title: Re: What would you do
Post by: Blazin on April 05, 2008, 11:35:50 pm

I am with Vile. Plus once one breaks chances are good more will follow. Maybe not but I would guess better than a 50% chance one or more might.

Title: Re: What would you do
Post by: VileZambonie on April 06, 2008, 08:18:55 am

Here's an 8 leaf that had one bad leaf and I decided to run them as a 7 leaf until I knew what I was going to do for rear suspension and then this happened as soon as I womped on it

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Sabaka454/DSC00130.jpg)

Title: Re: What would you do
Post by: zieg85 on April 06, 2008, 09:23:02 am

Every GMC I have ever had was a little heavier duty than its counterpart Chevy in the 70's.  Even on the 86 GMC 1500 I had versus my 86 C-10 I have now.  Same weight rating but the GMC had 2 more leafs than my Chevy did.  I thought it might have the heavier duty braking system but they were the same 2" shoes on the rear.  Go figure.  I have have the best luck at spring places..  I didn't look at your location but if your close enough you can have the rear springs out of my parts truck if it will work.  Nice stack of 10 I believe. 

Title: Re: What would you do
Post by: autorepr on April 06, 2008, 10:13:05 am

Here in Dayton Oh, we have Acme Spring Co. (I know there only customer is a coyote, hahaha) They're pretty awesome, I've gotten sets of springs from them for several different trucks and there's nothing like new springs! I'm sure there's a spring shop somewhere near you, I'd just get them local. There pretty heavy so it'd cost some $ to ship'em.

My 78 shorty had a couple broken leaves and I replaced them with 4" lift springs from Rough Country. I got the Nittro shocks from them and I think the shocks made the truck pretty stiff. Should have went with the regular hydraulic units.