1972 F100 rear leaf springs

[North56]

I am starting to prepare the rear frame for paint. At this state what do you recommend with the rear springs?

1. Just prepare for paint.

2. Replace Springs .

3. Just replace u-clamps, bushings, nuts and bolts.

There is 130,000 miles on the springs. Thanks.

[jzjames]

Just reassemble as-is after you de-rust and paint. Later would bee a better time to consider new springs.
Yoo could do bushings now if they are shot.

[basketcase0302]

"North56" I am starting to prepare the rear frame for paint. At this state what do you recommend with the rear springs?
1. Just prepare for paint.
2. Replace Springs .
3. Just replace u-clamps, bushings, nuts and bolts.
There is 130,000 miles on the springs. Thanks.

You'll have to destroy the bushings in those to get them out regardless. It's not the mileage as much as how the truck has been used / abused over the past 50 or so years. Did it's stance seem lower or was it bouncing around the road when going over pot holes? Those are gonna bite you in the butt if you don't do something with them for sure, (I've even seen leaf spring failure due to rust and it isn't pretty) and they always seem to fail when you need them the most when your towing or hauling weight. Just not worth the risk...
If it were mine I'd get in touch with your nearest spring and axle shop, (most any large city has one) and have them quote a price, (or quote a price on re-arching them if the truck sat lower than normal) on a set of new springs or order a new set. LMC has them but seem expensive to me so I'd source them from a few other places:
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fb/full.aspx?Page=48

Edit: NPD has them for a lot...less:
https://www.npdlink.com/product/leaf-sp ... %26year%3D

[sargentrs]

Mine were still in good shape so I refurbished them. Starting at page 2 in my rebuild thread. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 5&start=15

[North56]

Thanks everyone for your response, greatly appreciated. I pulled the leaf springs off today. No broken leafs, but the bushings need replacing I think.
Added a pic of the bushings, tell me what you think. Will phone around Monday and see what a new set of springs will cost me.

[sargentrs]

Yeah, those need replacing

[North56]

I was thinking of getting these Energy Suspension 4.2139G - Spring Bushing set. What do you think?

https://www.tdotperformance.ca/energy-s ... DA2MDIiO30,

[sargentrs]

Same ones I bought. keep reading on my build thread. Page 4 show installation and only issues I had.

[North56]

Same ones I bought. keep reading on my build thread. Page 4 show installation and only issues I had.

Thanks, looks like I will be doing pretty much the same as you are doing on your build.