Rear Springs and Sag Solutions

[BC]

Looking for what people have done, springs and etc. Have the EB and was well aware of the sag going in. Springs have settled now and while its not a huge issue and not really as bad as some I have seen, it does bug me and will probably lift 'em back up.

I think I saw that Buji had his done, any others? Looking for specific products, costs, etc

[smb4me]

on my chevy van, with new springs, i installed lift blocks to address the sag,
you can install a 'new' set of springs, or if they are fairly new, to install an
addtional leaf

less labor to install blocks than springs

[jage]

A real spring shop can also re-arch them.

[BC]

on the blocks, how does that affect the ride? Guessing stiffer, harder. I've also heard of air springs you can modulate up or down, but presumably pretty pricey. Oh wait...its a Sportsmobile, I know that scenario.

[smb4me]

my blocks were 1.5" in height, so no change in driving dynamic,
taller blocks will affect driving characteristic as you're sitting higher...
as metioned by previous poster, you can re-arch, but i think
going with lift blocks is the less labor intensive/cheapest of the other options, that I know of...

[saline]

Keep in mind adding taller blocks increases stress on the springs as well as creates more axle wrap.

[scatter]

On my old van with the Salem Kroger setup, I was getting lots of sag. I installed air bags and hated the way it rode, yanked 'em out and gave them away. I've used blocks on other rigs, but really don't like them. Mostly for the reasons Jage menioned. I ended up taking the van to a GOOD spring shop and looked over the rig with the Shop guy and showed him what I wanted. Left the van there and when I came back in the afternoon it was sitting at the height I wanted and rode better then it ever did. My two cents worth, maybe one cent, is that the springs themselves need to be set up to carry the load and give the ride height you need. Air bags are great to level you out for the occasional "overload", but get the springs right in the first place and you'll be happer in the long run.

OK guys, time to yell at me....

[myriadmyriad]

I agree about airbags.....They really don't work offroad...

The best way is to get rid of the lift blocks and build up the leafs to the height you need..

With the added leafs, it will ride much better and hold the arch much longer.

Deaver springs in Santa Ana has experience with Sportsmobile

Its a good idea to build up the front springs, you can gain up to one inch which helps to prevent bottoming out...


Jeff[/url]

[canyonclan]

Jeff,

Do you have or anyone you know have Deaver leaf springs in their SMB? Since they are so close, I'm thinking about giving them a call. They seem to be the go-to folks for spring solutions.

Our SMB ride well, but it sags in the rear and I don't think we have that much of a load. If I put a moto back there, I'm worried of the added weight.

-Jeff

[BC]

Thanks all, good thread. May go find a good leaf shop and have a tech talk