Just noticed that the smallest of the three leafs on the driver's side of the axle is crooked and not inline with the two larger leafs. Do you think it was built on a Monday following a holiday, should I be concerned

On the bright side, I finally found that annoying rattle coming from the rear to be the loose fitting shackles that keep the longest and second longest leafs together. Should've known, had the same thing on my 64 and 71 pick up too

97 Lariat, 4.6 V8 w/ 3:55 posi

 

the smallest of my leaf springs is a little crooked too. i don't think it really is anything bad unless it is really crooked i mean like terribly crooked. if your really concerned i would just take it to a ford dealer and ask if its ok if it is liek that.

 

Hey guys

There is a TSB on this if you do a search. It says somthing to the affect that the leaf spring can come in contact with your gas tank and pucturing it causing a fire hazard. So just to be safe you should do that search and take it to the nearest dealer to have it looked at and a clamp put on it. i would hate to see any Ford truck come to harm. Hope that i helped.

Bigern

 

I noticed mines is a little crooked on the passenger side. It's nothing to worry about unless it's really out of shpae. I didn't check my drv side but it would have to be turned a lot to hit the tank. Thanks for reminding me about this I think I will check it all again and see what I can do.

 

Thanks for all the replies, I guess it's not an isolated incident. I thought that my truck might have been put together on a Monday following a holiday by a worker with a hang over.

Bigern6697, thanks for the heads up on the tsb but after a few experiences with my local dealerships I've decided to do my own wrenching. Sad to say but they don't seem to care for my vehicle like I do.

 

take a sledge hammer and pound it back to normal.

 

Are you talking about the dealership or the leaf ?

I'm going to loosen the U-bolts and line it all up nice but since it'll be on jack stands anyway I have to fight the urge to put in spacer blocks.

 

If the springs are not in a c-clip then they probably are out of alignment alittle. They move to equealize stresses when going over uneven ground. I dont see how my bottom spring can hit the fuel tank, it would have to shear the u-bolts to get that much rotation. All the trucks on my farm that have uncliped springs are uneven. If you put it back in line it will jsut wiggle back out in a day or two of driving. If you think the whole spring package is sapposed to be clipped together is the only time I might bother moving the springs and binding them together.

 

MechE you might be on to something. Several times this past winter I was forced to back into a parking spot at work that had a huge mound of snow in the drivers side rear corner. Seems like great rear suspension articulation.....especially for a stock configuration! It made me wonder if I could have done the same with a sway bar on the rear? Looking back now in retrospect though I can't help but wonder if that did'nt contribute to, or entirely cuase the movement of that leaf.

BTW, the longer two of the three springs are banded together ( d@mn bands rattle up a storm) which might explain why they are still straight! I'm still gunna line it up nice and see how long it lasts.

Thanx, LE PEW.

 

Is your third spring a little shorter? If it is, then its an overload spring of one sort or another. Its there to pick up a load after a predeteremed load as been put on the other springs. this allows for smoother rides when no load is on the truck.

 

Guys... check the Recall menu! The springs were recalled and the dealer should have to replace them at no cost or they could be held liable!!

 

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 98V161000

Component: SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Mfg. Campaign #: 98S18
Year: 1998
Make: FORD TRUCK
Model: F150
Potential Number of Units Affected: 202000
Manufactured From: NOV 1995 To: FEB 1998
Year of Recall: '98
Type of Report: Vehicle
Summary:


Vehicle Description: Light duty 4-wheel drive pickup trucks. If the vehicle is overloaded, the rear leaf springs can be overstressed. A fatigue fracture of the spring can occur. The center leaf of the spring can fracture at the forward edge of the spring seat and, in some cases, contact the fuel tank.

Fuel tank contact can damage the tank and result in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.

Dealers will inspect the rear springs and install an additional clip on the forward end of the rear springs to prevent fuel tank contact in the event of a leaf fracture. Any fractured springs will be replaced. Owner notification is expected to begin August 10, 1998. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).




this is the only recall i found on the "problem" and it is not quite the same thing.

 

Service Bulletin Number: 985200
Bulletin Sequence Number: 129
Date of Bulletin: 9811
NHTSA Item Number: SB613017
Make: FORD TRUCK
Model: F150
Year: 1999
Component: SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
Summary: VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3-LEAF REAR SPRINGS MAY EXHIBIT A REAR SPRING RATTLE *MJS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Bulletin Number: 12161
Bulletin Sequence Number: 131
Date of Bulletin: 9811
NHTSA Item Number: SB613176
Make: FORD TRUCK
Model: F150
Year: 1999
Component: SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
Summary: SOME VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3-LEAF REAR SPRINGS MAY EXHIBIT A REAR SPRING RATTLE. *MJS

these are tsb's for a 99 ford, still not the same thing, I believe this is for the rattle due to loose c-clips on the springs

 

Service Bulletin Number: 983306
Bulletin Sequence Number: 746
Date of Bulletin: 9802
NHTSA Item Number: SB607472
Make: FORD TRUCK
Model: F150
Year: 1997
Component: SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR
Summary: CONCERNS OF FRAME STRIKE ON THE REAR AXLE. *TT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Bulletin Number: 985200
Bulletin Sequence Number: 129
Date of Bulletin: 9811
NHTSA Item Number: SB613017
Make: FORD TRUCK
Model: F150
Year: 1997
Component: SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
Summary: VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3-LEAF REAR SPRINGS MAY EXHIBIT A REAR SPRING RATTLE *MJS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Bulletin Number: 12161
Bulletin Sequence Number: 131
Date of Bulletin: 9811
NHTSA Item Number: SB613176
Make: FORD TRUCK
Model: F150
Year: 1997
Component: SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
Summary: SOME VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3-LEAF REAR SPRINGS MAY EXHIBIT A REAR SPRING RATTLE. *MJS

these are just tsb's also, not recalls. If you want I will look up what exaclty each tsb involves. Tsb's are just updates on common problems so mechanics can quickly find common problems, Ford does not have to fix tsbs for free, some shops do though.