'03 '03 E350 work van - broken leaf spring question
 

One of the middle leafs broke but was still in the stack of springs before I took the load off of the suspension and the broken piece pulled out easily.

It had been in there for a couple of weeks broken but I am not sure if I should put it back in given that it's potential road shrapnel. Maybe zip tie it so it won/t move sideways?

Customer says he will take it to the spring shop asap. However, he has been known to drag his feet.....

Thoughts?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1567962316.jpg

That would suck coming through the windshield....

Two feet long. Would be like a double ended ax.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1567962987.jpg

Rust never sleeps. :(

And oh yeah, leave the broken piece out. Throw it in the trash.

OK. Thank you.

Anything useful to add or are you just in a trolling mood?

I would put it back in and secure it with a couple metal bands. Zip ties would be a no no. Of course get a couple leaf packs from rock auto, or the local u pull.

If left out, I would worry about the weight causing failure to the other two leafs. Especially with a sharp void.

Had the same spring break on my old F350. I put some heavier springs under the truck (Yeah AZporschekid, that's why it rides like a tank!) that I bought from a place in Ft Wayne.
I don't think I'd risk putting it back in.

Those were my thoughts.

Sent him on his way without the piece inserted with instructions to get it fixed tomorrow at the spring shop. Best I can do without driving it down there myself.

If the loose broken part was put back in it wouldn't do anything. The stress is now on the remaining leafs, especially the top one. I hope to krist that he goes to the spring shop before he's got a tire rubbing on the top of the wheel well — or worse.

And as Denis said, the whole ass'y is junk.

Don't put it back in (unless you weld it in :eek:). If that falls out on the highway it could destroy someone's tire, bang up their sheet metal, or even kill someone if it gets kicked up and goes through a windshield. The guy needs to go to a spring shop immediately and have all the springs replaced, anything else is dangerous and irresponsible.
I would have the springs on both sides replaced if it was mine. If the one on the left broke, the one on the right won't be far behind.

Not to mention, just the sag from age.

Welding is not a good idea on a spring even if it's to only secure the broken part. I'm surprised you would mention that even with a :eek:

And I know you know the heat treating would be compromised. The van is undrivable until the spring(s) are redone.

^This.

Make a note or require a signed disclaimer on the work order for your immediate safety recommendations....CYA.
His memory could change and his insurance would go after you.

Um, I thought the idea of welding a leaf spring was so absurd no one would take it seriously. Guess I was wrong.
Thanks for setting me straight. :rolleyes:

I'm surprised this isn't being treated like a tire shop would treat you if they found you had faulty tires once they got you up on their rack.
Had it happen on a trip to Vegas once. Tires had tread seperation so bad it was thumping like crazy. Shop wouldn't let me go before buying new tires because of liability issues. Once they found the problem and knew about it, it was on them to be sure it was safe to let me go. Ended up with a crappy set of tires since I couldn't shop, but at least I didn't have an accident on the way home out in the middle of the Mojave desert either.
If OP is doing this as a business I'd say he put himself at considerable risk by letting it go out that way.

Some JB Weld and Flex Seal should do it ........ seriously get a new set of springs ASAP . Think about all the stress at that point now load the vehicle and go 70 on the highway !

Pound it in decompressed.
Run a deep 75% bead with heavy band clamps next to the center bolt.
Tell 'em drive it immediately to a suspension shop.

That would get them there on a good day, at least. But it is a new age.

Hell no, don't put the broken piece back in.

And given it's a work truck, he really needs to order new springs for both sides.