Execut1ve

possible stupid question... but I'm already elbow deep in my front end and had planned to replace the springs while I'm in there. I picked up some replacement Moogs but wouldn't mind other opinions on the condition of the current ones.

Execut1ve

a tech at a Sears auto center told me the rule of thumb for Fords is when the paint starts to come off and the metal beneath is rusted, the springs have started to fatigue. He dug up a spec for floor-to-bumper height and the truck was sitting about 2" low.

red1994ford

Yes, replace the springs.

One other thing you should do by the looks of your truck is get some ROUGH grit sandpaper, as rough as you can find, and sand the rust off the frame. then get some plain black spray paint and paint the whole frame, and it will eliminate the frame surface rust as well as make it look much better. You can also paint the fuel tanks under the truck so they are protected as well. This is a very cheap way to help protect your truck.

Execut1ve

I suspected I'd have to do something about the rust... can I use an orbital sander for the flatter areas? or must I do it all by hand

skeith5

I wouldn't spray paint the frame, it won't last very long and won't do much for you. Use POR-15 instead. tough as nails.

Scott

dirtcrew51m

You could also tell bad springs by negative camber when truck is reasting, my springs were gone, put in new ones, helped straighten my wheels out.

Execut1ve

if by negative camber you mean the front wheels look like this /----\ then very yes. the thing also has bad lower ball joints which further contribute to the excessive camber as far as I know. I was pretty sure they were in need of replacement but wanted to make sure

Execut1ve

out of curiosity, what can bad springs do to the handling or what not?

mustangGT90210

Harsher ride, less suspension travel, and less looks

chelios

and wobbling and being thrown forward and back while accelerating/braking. everything is just a little softer. new shocks and springs do wonders.