Front leaf springs

I might be able to provide a little bit of insight... I have a W900 also.

First off, I have never seen a stack of spacers like that on a factory truck, but I haven't looked at every Kenworth front axle spacer set-up either. Nonetheless, removing them would have virtually no effect on ride quality... Just ride height.

The second thing I notice, is those three leaf taper springs. Just by eyeballing them, they'd probably have a capacity from anywhere between 16,000# and 20,000#. Since I don't notice twin steering boxes, I would assume you do not carry that type of weight, and the truck is not set up to carry much over 12,000# on the front, making a three leaf taper overkill. A two leaf taper is adequate for a 12,000# front.

It's hard for me to tell from the image, but the shackle... How is that sitting, angle-wise? It's not actually angled forward, is it? It should have a slight 'rear' tilt.

I'll be honest... It looked like someone tried to cobble some suspension pieces together. Lose one leaf if you're not loading up past 12,000#, and lose some blocks if you have enough bump-stop to frame clearance after doing that, for a lower ride.

Check that shackle angle though... If it's angled f'orward', those aren't the right springs to begin with.

 

Three leaf springs like that are standard on a 12000 lb w900 kw axle. DONT PULL A LEAF OUT OF THEM. If you want a two leaf spring then have a spring shop build them

 

Some people have some really crazy ideas! Has the truck always had a rough ride or has it recently gotten this way? Is it an air ride cab? When were any of the shocks last changed? How the frame sits ties into many factors. Run the vin and see how the truck came from the factory. Check a parts list and diagram against what you have.

 

No they're not. Not if they're tapers of that thickness.

I know, because I just had my W900 suspension refreshed with all new springs.

I'm telling you... His three leaf tapers are rated for MUCH higher than 12,000#, and would be the cause of his rough, choppy ride.

We're not talking flat leafs, but tapers. My three leafs I installed into my W900 were rated at close to 17,000#. I added a fourth (thinner) taper leaf, to bring it up to 20,000#. It rides like crap.

Many 18,000# to 20,000# front ends use only three taper leafs. MOST 12,000# tapered fronts use only two.

THAT is why I ask, what is his front end rated for, and does he carry more than 12,000#?

I have driven MANY trucks, and whenever there is a noticeable ride 'comfort' problem from the front end, it is either one of two things... Springs that are rated much over 12,000#, which will always ride like crap, and old, rusty worn out flat leaf springs, which have NO GIVE at all (which is why you don't even worry about shock absorbers on them, since friction is so high.)

 

Then why do I have a set of 3 leaf tapered springs rated for a 12000 axle sittin in my shop that I replaced with a set of 4 leaf tapered springs rated for 14600 lbs. There are to many different variations of springs for a same application. The point has been lost here. If the op wants a two leaf spring go to a spring shop and get the correct ones. DONT take leafs out if you don't know the configuration of the springs.

 

Do you have the same size tires front and rear ?
How much clearance is between your fuel tanks brackets and the ground ?

 

The one reply I asked was the bag height on rear. If it is off check ride height on rear suspension as well.