[Che]

With all the long weekends of late i've been hitting the beaches as often as time allows (just got back from a fishing mission at my secret spot!). Looking at the underside, everything is looking peachy for an old beach runner, but the leaf springs are beginning to glow a rusty red.

There's enough fish oil on the springs to keep it omega 3 happy for the next ten years, but how to tell if the leaf system needs replacing? There's no set in rust, just a bit of red on the surface (but then again, who knows what's in between the leaf layers).

The ol' Sierra is a hard ride to judge - even with a new underside it'd probably bounce around like crazy being the micro machine that it is. I've only owned it the last 10 of it's 215K on the clock, so I can't really compare it against a better standard.

Do I just wait until I crack a spring, will it wear out, or how do you tell when the suspension is past it's used by date? It's the first leaf sprung car i've ever owned, so not sure what to go off.

[Ben_Sierra]

I would say that the surface rust is nothing to worry about.

However, the springs (and shocks quite possibly) are probably past their best and not riding as well anymore... The springs have probably sagged and flattened out and just won't be doing there job anymore...

[andrewa]

i would'nt worry to much about the colour of the springs.
if the springs are flat or starting to curve down then you
will need to think about replacing them.

[alien]

as above - once they sag they need replacing... i run my leaves dead flat intentionally cos im SPOA and dont want that added height (and its a softer ride)... but a stock setup needs some arch in the leaf for sure.

If you're doing a lot of beach work and not looking at larger tyres, replace them with standard springs rather than 2" lifted ones. Keep your COG low =)

[Red89]

Me thinks you think too much

If they are broken or bent, replace them.
If they lean to one corner too much, replace them ( small lean to drivers side is fine )
If you arent happy with how its stance looks, replace them.

Other then that if you are happy with them leave them alone and spend your money elsewhere.

[jabba]

Only way to tell if a leaf spring is stuffed is

Heavy flaking rust
Sagged
Bent near the eyes
Broken
and surface cracks (fatigue cracks)

Only way to tell the last one is to remove and break the pack apart

[whincup]

problem with waiting til they're flat: from what im told on other forums sierra stock height springs are nearly flat as it is (correct me if im wrong, i bought mine with its 2" lift). so this would only be minor sagging for a stock sized sierra... but as those guys said... visible damage in terms of cracks, curving upside down, etc...

[alien]

that and hitting the bump stops while driving on the road is a good giveaway =)