My hotchkis leaf springs have what appears to be a mild S curve to them (particularly the driver's side).

I'm using metco lower bars right now, but haven't always been (used nothing then slapper bars for a while).

Are the springs shot? Do I need to replace them? Anything I should measure?

Coldie

 

Note that these have 24910034 stenciled in white on top of the springs. Anyone know what spring rate they are?

 

I don't, but here's a pretty good leaf spring calculator.

 

That calculator reads out to 280 lbs-in (58" length, 2.625 width, 0.5 thick, 2 leafs) which is almost exactly the "old" Hotchkis springs. Then again, if it was 31/32" thick, I'd get the new springs, so I need to get my calipers out.

The frustrating thing was I called Hotchkis and asked and they said they have only ever had one set of springs for the Lightning... (idiots)

Tim: Any thoughts on the S curve? I measured and my driver's side is about an 1" lower than my passenger (at the wheel wells on level ground). I'm thinking I should just order a full new set and be done with it.

Coldie

 

Turns out when they rebuilt my truck, they screwed something up. One of the Metcos (drivers) is 1" shorter than the other!! Thus causing the spring screw up. (and damn I can't turn that bolt..)

Turns out my clunk washers somehow disappeared as well...

Looks like I'm going to have to completely check out my suspension.

 

the "S" is from axle wrap. The 58" bars will prevent it however your current springs are junk. My stock springs did the same thing before I added the bars.

 

I have the metco lowers (which should stop or induce the axle wrap depending on torque).

It seems like the lowers are misadjusted and the adjustment has seized up, so I need to wrech the heck out of them....

Coldie