'73 4x4 1/2 ton spring question

[73K10]

I have a '73 K10.  Looking at the springs (probally stock) both front and rear have a negative arch to them.  Is this normal for this truck?  It has 52", 5 springs in the rear and 3 in the front.

[VileZambonie]

In the rear? I've never seen that

[73K10]

Do all chevy truck springs have positive arches.   I mean do they all tip up to the eyes and down in the center to the axle?

[Captkaos]

All of the bow up in the rear.  The fronts are sometimes flatter.

[VileZambonie]

Can you post pix of your rear springs? I'd love to see this...

[Captkaos]

Me too, especially if they are bowed down.

[73K10]

Here are a couple pictures.
You can see that the top rear springs look almost sprung with all the space between the springs.  As you look at the top spring, you can see that one bowing up from the axle then back down to the shackle.
In the front, the springs have a negative arch to them, which I hear is normal.  Do these look normal?

So, what do you guys think?  I am interested in everyones opinion.

[73K10]

Here is a picture of the rear of the front springs.  I'm not an expert on these older Chevy trucks yet but, I'm thinking the spring and shackle are not suppose to be resting on the frame.

Whats up with this?

I haven't measured but I have heard I am suppose to have 52" springs in this truck(a 73' 1/2 ton 4x4 LB).  Do you think somebody switched the front out with 56's?

What do you guys think?

[VileZambonie]

The fronts bow like that normally. The rear springs you have look pretty rough!

Your cheapest way out might be a nice little lift kit... New leafs are gonna probably run you around $600 bucks all the way around. A lift kit with springs, u-bolts, and shocks will cost you under $500....

[dunedigger]

Your front spring look normal to me but the upper bushing are shot.  This needs to be fixed as soon as you can because the bolts are sometimes likely to break and in the case of my brothers truck, eventually rubed through the frame. 

[86 chevy silverado]

Springs are definitely shot. Whether you go with a lift like mentioned or stock replacements assume new shackles/bushings/bolts all around as well. The lift will not come with these items and they are almost always needed.

[73K10]

When you say the upper bushings are shot are you referring to the upper shackle bushing on the rear of the front springs?  They do look like they need to be replaced, but they look as if they are still riding centered in the bracket.  Is that why my springs are sitting on the frame?

[86 chevy silverado]

Its a combination of tired front springs and worn bushings probably at both the eye of the spring and frame side of the shackle.