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Topic: Rear Springs E450 super duty (Read 45 times) previous topic - next topic
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Rear Springs E450 super duty
Yahoo Message Number: 48500
Hi Folks; I have just purchased 01 26RK and have received much info from youall about the cracks in the corner trim. I noticed cracks in the sidewalls on the firestone maypops and today installed new Mitchlins LTX A/S when we removed the dualls I noticed that the rear springs had a Neg. arch or reversed arch in them as to make me think the rig was overloaded. Since we had only 10gal of water in the fresh tank and had drained the Black and grey and had loaded very little into the rig we should not be overloaded. Question; could this be normal to have a reverse arch in the springs? The springs both look to have the same neg. arch so I don't think the previous owner overloaded the coach to the point that both springs would bend the same. The rig has bluestine shocks and a real stiff legged ride. Also I noticed there was no single leaf overload springs like most super duty's have. Any suggestions.
Sincerely; Robert
Re: Rear Springs E450 super duty
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48525
Quote
Hi Folks; I have just purchased 01 26RK
when we removed the dualls I noticed that the rear springs had a [/quote] Neg.
 
Quote
arch or reversed arch in them as to make me think the rig was overloaded. Since we had only 10gal of water in the fresh tank and had drained the Black and grey and had loaded very little into the rig we should not be overloaded. Question; could this be normal to have a reverse arch in the springs? The springs both look to have the same neg. arch so I don't think the previous owner overloaded the coach to the point that both springs would bend the same. The rig has bluestine shocks and a real stiff legged ride. Also I noticed there was no single leaf overload springs like most super duty's have. Any
suggestions.

Quote
Sincerely; Robert rnblackard@h...
Hello Robert, I believe it would be best if you measured the ride height on all four corners of your LD and checked that against the Ford published data for the E450 chassis.  More than just the spring appearance is important, like the Ford specified distance between level ground and the chassis in each corner.  It's my opinion that an owner who has researched the Ford specs (Available from the internet as I remember) can make the measurements.  However, determining what really needs to be done about the resulting measurements is a job only for a trained and certified suspension mechanic.  Whatever you do, have only a reputable suspension shop work on your LD.  One I've used with great reliance is Henderson's Line-Up in Grant's Pass, Oregon.  I'm sure others will give you their personal recommendations as well.

Don McG.
PS.  Every Ford E350 chassis I've seen with a RV body on it has had reverse arch rear springs, as do most of the longer E450 chassis with a RV body.  The ride height is the critical measurement for making changes.  Your Bilstein shock absorbers should do nothing but help forestall spring ride height fatigue.

Don McG (Hey, if those springs are down, is it easier to check for screw cracks?)
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Rear Springs E450 super duty
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48526
No they were already down so made no diff. on the spring deal I just need to check with Ford also thanks for the measurement idea. The rig did very well from El Paso to Kingsland, Texas also towing little pickup got a little over 9mpg at 65 or 70 sounds a lot diff. than a V8 makes me want a tach. Thanks for the come back.
See you down the road Robert --- mylazydaze no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Rear Springs E450 super duty
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48530
On Fri, 2004-12-31 at 21:51 +0000, mylazydaze wrote:

Quote
...It's my opinion that an owner who has researched the Ford specs (Available from the internet as I remember) can make the measurements.
The link to Ford's "Body Builders Layout Books" is:
 https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/bodybuild.html

Alex Rutchka '05MB Gonnabee in 4 weeks
 
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Rear Springs E450 super duty
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48531
Thanks Alex, looks like I can find out everything I wanted to know but was afraid to ask. Thanks again.
Robert 01 red RK