04 SCrew Lariat

yesterday was going to replace my tie rod ends and noticed both front springs are broken. Called the parts store and Moog makes a standard spring and a heavy duty spring.

Truck is stock, I do pull a heavy cargo trailer with a weight distribution hitch. I went ahead and ordered the HD springs, figuring the trailer is likely what did the springs in. Has anyone got any experience with these springs?

Also, thinking I may as well replace the shocks while I am in there. any suggestions?

Thanks

 

Bilstein Yellow HD's!

 

how the hell did you manage to break both your front springs?

 

my thoughts exactly.

 

I have no idea, but I did do a google search and found some pics from a guy who broke his in the same spot. They are both broken at the bottom near the cup.

My son races motocross and I pull an 18' cargo trailer with a fair amount of tongue weight. I use a weight distribution hitch so I am thinking the truck didnt like the weight being shifted to the front. However, it has always pulled and stopped the trailer fine and I dont think I am exceeding the capacity of the truck.

Moog heavy duty springs are about $130 per set, so at least the fix isnt real expensive. Just have to decide on struts

Remember when these trucks came out they were bragging about the great ride? I know mine rode like a caddy when it was new, when I replaced the original tires I went with Cooper Discoverer A/T which is a pretty stiff tire so my smooth ride went out the window and now it rides like a 4wd truck. I am wondering if they put soft springs in the front to make it ride easier.

Another thing I am wondering is how many of these trucks are riding around on broken springs. I didnt realize any difference in handling, it acts like it needs tie rod ends...and with 130k it is due. Only thing I noticed was it appeared to be a bit lower in the front....I compared it to a friends XLT and it is the same height, then it dawned on me the other day mine is a Lariat and has 18" wheels as opposed to my friends XLT with 17" so I should be a bit higher....the broken springs probably are the reason we are the same height.

 

here is the thread on ford150.net about a guy whos springs also broke, note the pictures...mine broke in the same place

http://www.fordf150.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=77583

 

My spring broke on the left side in the same spot. I was sitting in a parking lot, parked when it just broke. I wasn't even driving.

I replaced it with the same spring from Ford. $56

 

I'd opt for a new strut/spring assembly, much more simple repair (no spring compressor needed). I've seen a take-off pair of these online for as cheap as $70.00.

 

I would use it as a good reason for a set of aftermarket coilovers.

 

X2^^

 

damn those pics are crazy, ill copy them over

 

Had the same thing happen to my Explorer, just finished installing 2 new rear coil/strut assemblies. My spring was broken at the top, never used for towing or abused - spring just failed in two places.

 

This just gets more fun.....

bought some Moog HD springs for it, these springs had 11 coils instead of the 4 that were on the truck....and made from thicker steel.

also found some new takeoffs on ebay too cheap to pass up, I dont really have a need to put a high $$ suspension into this truck...stock is fine.

Now for the kicker, the takeoffs were from an '09 but were listed to fit 04-10 (I didnt find out they were from an 09 until I contacted the seller after the fact). Anyway, the shaft on the 09 strut is thicker than the 04 and will not work with the 04 strut mount. So as of now, I have new struts sitting in the shop and my truck has the new springs on the old struts.

anyone have any insight on this? What I think i want to do is find a strut mount for the 09 shocks and run them.....thinking Ford figured out there was a problem and changed it sometime prior to 09.

or, put a leveling kit on it for an '09....I think I read all you do is replace the strut mount to make it taller.