Are My Leaf Springs On Backwards?

BronCowie · Oct 9, 2011

?:? A Bronco buddy told me he thinks they are on backwards... One is straight where it attaches to the frame and the other end has a slight downward curve to it. Which end is suppose to be on the forward end?

Pic 1 has the straight end on the rear, pic 2 has the curved end on the forward mount. ?:?

Broncobowsher · Oct 9, 2011

Stock springs, correct.
Nationals (with the double wrap) then it would be backwards.

Those look stock and correct.

dlong · Oct 9, 2011

I noticed in the first pic that his hanger for the leaf has the open end facing fwd. Is this the normal position stock? Are they swapped the other way when a lift is installed? Just curious cause I noticed mine are flipped the other way and I have a 3.5" sl lift.

half cab · Oct 9, 2011

Broncobowsher said:
Stock springs, correct.
Nationals (with the double wrap) then it would be backwards.

Those look stock and correct.

I agree with this -stock and correct

dieselbronco · Oct 10, 2011

I think the shackles are correct. But it looks like the front spring bolt is loose with that rust trail, you should hit it with the impact gun before the hole opens up.

DirtDonk · Oct 11, 2011

Nope, stock shackle goes open face rearward (away from the spring) with the closed end forward.
Completely counter-intuitive, but that's how they were.

And yes, they do act differently when put on the different ways. I always have a hard time remembering, but I think that, with them on backwards, they fold forward better but bind up with the spring under compression and vice versa for the other way 'round.
But don't quote me on that...

Paul

70_Steve · Oct 11, 2011

Pic courtesy of JBG.

stock1970 · Oct 11, 2011

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fbr/full.aspx?Page=61

here is another drawing.. not sure if it will help you.

BronCowie · Oct 11, 2011

Thank you all for the feedback. All considered, it appears I have stock springs mounted correctly and my buddy was looking at aftermarket springs which appeared backwards, but perhaps they are not. We'll have to find out what kind of springs he has and revisit that.

The JBG drawing looks accurate; that would be the driver's side view, whereas my photos are of the passenger side, and they match.

The LMC drawing seems a bit generic where it doesn't show that curve in front of the front mounting hole.

FWIW I have a 2" lift.

70_Steve · Oct 11, 2011

BronCowie said:
The JBG drawing looks accurate; that would be the driver's side view, whereas my photos are of the passenger side, and they match.

Looks like the springs match the drawing, but, as was mentioned, it looks like your shackles are on backwards.

BronCowie · Oct 11, 2011

70_Steve said:
Looks like the springs match the drawing, but, as was mentioned, it looks like your shackles are on backwards.

Yeah that's a good catch that I never would have noticed... Thanks Steve (and Paul)

Are My Leaf Springs On Backwards?

BronCowie

Old Timer

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Broncobowsher

Total hack

dlong

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half cab

Guru Bronco

dieselbronco

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DirtDonk

Bronco Guru

70_Steve

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stock1970

Bronco Guru

BronCowie

Old Timer

70_Steve

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BronCowie

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