Rear Leaf Springs help!?

[Ron46]

So for the last couple months I have had a problem with my rear suspension on the right side. Every bump, it dramatically jumps, makes a load bang, and feels like the tires is hitting the wheel well, or the axle is hitting the bump stop. The ride on the truck is horrible and almost unbearable. At high speeds it causes the rear end to move on the truck. So I thought it was my shocks, and I recently put new blisteins with extended shackles, and the problem is still there. It has to be either the leaf spring or the leaf spring bushing. If I need to get a new leaf spring, should I buy oem, aftermarket, or have a shop make me one. I do want to do a spring over in the future. Also with the extended shackles, at full articulation,they become extremely tight, and it looks like my brakes lines will rip out. Does anybody know when to buy extended break lines? Thanks!

 

[digglesworth]

ive heard you can extend the brake line bracket on the top of the rear diff and get a little more outta the stock ones. I know this is just a piece to your puzzle but may help.

 

[Reloader]

Could be a number of things . Check to be sure shock mount bolts are all tight, bumpers are both there and intact and closely inspect springs. Look for a broken leaf or a broken wrap around on the spring ends. Check if spring eye bushings are beat out. If bushing or bushings are bad you can have a spring shop repair that by pressing in new bushings . If spring needs replacement you should do both as you will have uneven spring height .

Also make sure u-bolts are tight and or not broken. A broken u-bolt could cause the rear axle to shift around and shear off the spring center bolt. I've also seen shock absorbers break internally and make noise. I've seen them actually sieze up and not let the suspension travel at all.

If you need new springs, the left side front bolt is captured in place by the fuel tank assembly. You can loosen the bolt and drive it in abit then cut the head of the bolt off and remove it outwards then the tank does not need to be removed. Replace bolt from outside and put nut on inside.

As far as brake lines, I had the same problem. I just made an extended bracket on the diff raising the lines up a couple inches. I did use 2 of the cover bolts to attach my bracket to make it stronger.
If you want longer lines , I believe 06H3 has some or knows where to get them. Not sure of the brand, might be Crown or something .

Get this checked out. Kinda sounds like it could be an unsafe situation .

 

[digglesworth]

Reloader, can you post a pic of the bracket you made? I'm getting ready to order some extended shackles from Schwartzy and I need to do this.

 

[Reloader]

I'll get the H3 on the hoist today and get some pics posted of what I did to extend the brake line bracket. I thought I had put one up a year or so ago when I did it but couldnt find it.

 

[alrock]

This reminds me - I need to remind Reloader about a full length leaf addition to my rear springs :wink:

 

[06 H3]

Yep I have both actually. I have an extended bracket from rancho then I have crown lines too.

The bracket should be plenty and much cheaper too

 

[digglesworth]

Yep I have both actually. I have an extended bracket from rancho then I have crown lines too.

The bracket should be plenty and much cheaper too

Chris, do you have a pic of your bracket somewhere?

 

[Reloader]

View attachment 13680View attachment 13681
Here are a couple pics of the extension bracket I made for my 3. I have a full length add-a-leaf spring and extended shackles

 

[digglesworth]

So there's enough room in the hard lines to push the bracket up and back away from the diff like that? If you had to guess, how much would you say you moved the bracket up and back? Have you ever disconnected the sway bar and flexed it? Sorry for all the questions...