Leaf springs shot, would a helper spring be worth it?

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by insanityeight, Feb 23, 2021.

  1. insanityeight

    insanityeight Light Load Member

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    T680. Over $3000 to replace front leaf springs. Omg. Would a helper spring be worth doing? If not im gonna add airbags. Aint spending $3000 plus for 2 leaf springs. With new shocks it constantly hits bump stop and rides rough. Especially empty cos springs are so flimsy and makes hard to steer.
     
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  3. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    3 grand for what? OE springs ,installed?

    Aftermarket springs typically run a bit stiffer than OE for a traditional leaf spring. I would look for Triangle. Always been high quality with good pricing. Find a spring shop that buys them by the pallet and offers good pricing. I would forget bags and just go with some good shocks.

    Bolting them in yourself?
     
  4. insanityeight

    insanityeight Light Load Member

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    If I think I can tackle it I will to save money. I was actually leaning to an addon airbag. Do you not like them. It’s definitely alot cheaper
     
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  5. insanityeight

    insanityeight Light Load Member

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    birmingham al
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    The fromt end shop told me re arching wouldnt last and that helpers spring wouldnt resolve my issue. Dont know but i wud think helper springs would help alot
     
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  6. insanityeight

    insanityeight Light Load Member

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    Oh and yes installed. Just parts are around $2000 and quoted $1000 to do the work
     
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  7. bowhunter67

    bowhunter67 Light Load Member

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    I had both sides replaced on my w900 for $1200 installed you need to find them cheaper there are plenty of shops that make springs out there.
     
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  8. insanityeight

    insanityeight Light Load Member

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    birmingham al
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    Well kenworth quoted near 800 per side jus for 2 leaf setup and that dont include pins or ubolts which im told need replaced at same time. That’s ridiculous. Labor is retarded too. I guess it takes a trained man with all the equipment 8-10 hours to do both sides. I think i could do it in a day with the tools and ive never done it
     
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  9. bowhunter67

    bowhunter67 Light Load Member

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    I got mine from a spring shop that makes them way cheaper than kenworth and it took my mechanic about 5 hours to do with alot of distractions.
     
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  10. bowhunter67

    bowhunter67 Light Load Member

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    I watched him do it didnt look to hard to do just pulled pins from shackles and cut the u bolts used new pins and u bolts.
     
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  11. insanityeight

    insanityeight Light Load Member

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    Well maybe autoparts store rents a tool to do the pins and bushings. Probably gonna give it a whirl if i can find affordable sorings
     
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