Worn leafs = crooked bed?

[SUX2BU99]

I'm not sure what to make of this. When replacing my rear end, I see that for some reason my passenger leaf spring hangs down about 2" LESS than my driver side spring when there is no load on it like the rear end hanging from it. I know that whenever I jack my truck up at the back when the rear end is in, when I lower the truck down (floor jack under the pumpkin), one side touches the jack stand first before the other (can't remember which side). When I jack the truck up at the front by putting the floor jack in the middle of the front crossmember, one side touches the jackstands at the front of the frame rails too before the other. I figure it's just typical ladder-frame, c-channel frame sag. But when I look at my truck from behind, my passenger side of the bed sags down at least 1/4". Otherwise my truck sits level on the ground and drives straight. What gives?

Truck spring pack has 4 leaves per side, nothing busted. Rear is lowered with what looks like 4" hangers in the back. Any ideas?

[VileZambonie]

Measure from the center of the spring pack to the frame on both sides after you drive it around. If there is a difference you have spring fatigue.

[SUX2BU99]

Good plan, will do. Thanks Vile.

[327power]

I have the same issue on my stepside. When I measured from the top of the axle to the bottom of the frame, it was almost 1" lower on the driver's side. I initially thought I had a twisted frame. I guess spring fatigue is a common problem for a lot of our older classic trucks.
Nothing looks crappier than a truck sagged on one side. Especially when you sit in it and you feel like your crooked because the truck just sagged even more.

[Captkaos]

Spring fatique is common on anything with springs.  Even vehicles that are only 1 year old will not sit level.

[SUX2BU99]

How many leaves should a stock 2wd 1/2-ton have? I found a site that sells replacements and they have 4 leaves plus the 1 'helper' (?) at the bottom.

[Captkaos]

Generally speaking
Std 52" springs have 4+1
HD 56" have 7+1

[blue beast]

does the truck have dual tanks,if so make sure gas level is the same.week springs could sag with 15 gallons only on one side.just a guess sounds logical

[327power]

Actually, that does sound logical. Another reason why I don't like side tanks.

[SUX2BU99]

Interesting about the gas tank. My truck only has the passenger side tank, which is the the side that sags.


Man do I feel like a tool though, I got home the other night and my truck is in the other spot of the 2-car garage, high up in the air on jackstands and I see that the new rear end I have ready to put in is sitting crooked on the jackstands. Turns out I had the driver side jackstand up one notch higher than the passenger one.......      heh   I know that my bed still sags on the pass side though and once the new rear end is in, I'll do the spring measurement like Vile suggested.

It seems too that my "+1" spring has been removed.