When to replace rear springs

[JPaul]

So I need to at least replace the bushings in the rear springs on my H3, but when I was checking them I noticed the rear of the top leaf was bending down on both sides right at the end of the 2nd from the top leaf. It's not by a lot, but it was enough to be easily noticeable and make me question if I should just replace the whole pack while I'm at it.

I just don't know if it's normal for the top leaf to be bending down at all, particularly when it isn't really loaded (I only have my empty 43qt fridge and some straps and other lightweight recovery gear in the back right now). Searching the internet mostly tells you to replace it if they are clearly broken, cracked, or sagging a lot.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Maybe a pic or 2 could help....
Mine I don't think bend down??? I'll look though.

 

[deserth3]

Check out Timbren bump stops. I like mine. Back end is a lot stiffer

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[K0PIR]

Check out Timbren bump stops. I like mine. Back end is a lot stiffer

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Did you get the Timbren GMRETB Suspension Enhancement System for around $200?

If so, how tall are they and how did they go in?

 

[deserth3]

They are taller and alot stiffer than the OEM. I don't remember exactly how tall they are. About 200 an axle is what I paid.
They do help with the role you feel leaving a driveway. Which I always hated.
To install I pried pout the old one. Put the new Timben in place with a chunk of 8x8 between the stop and the axle. Then bounced out a couple of times at the end of the driveway. Reposition and do out again until the Timben was fully seated. Didn't take long.

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[K0PIR]

They are taller and alot stiffer than the OEM. I don't remember exactly how tall they are. About 200 an axle is what I paid.
They do help with the role you feel leaving a driveway. Which I always hated.
To install I pried pout the old one. Put the new Timben in place with a chunk of 8x8 between the stop and the axle. Then bounced out a couple of times at the end of the driveway. Reposition and do out again until the Timben was fully seated. Didn't take long.

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So the rear ones didn't take bolts either. That's what I was wondering. Thank you.

 

[Happy Hummer]

I watched some videos on YouTube and it seems like this is pretty much a more robust bump stop? Am I missing something? That's what it is?

 

[alrock]

Jpaul, the rear springs do the reverse sag at the tail end from being previously overloaded and/or when they are tired. I had my springs rebuilt when the back end was sagging. The rebuilt included rearching the springs and adding a full length leaf. I gave them a spec of about 1.5" above stock as my desired ride height and they met it.

The springs were rearched about two years ago and they appear to be holding. I also replaced all of the bushings at that time but did not replace the bump stops.

My opinion is that the stock springs are barely adequate for continued off road use with off road gear on board. A more robust set of springs is beneficial.

 

[K0PIR]

I installed the Trail Duty bumpstops on the front when I leveled mine and they are good. It helped. The Timbren are a lot more expensive, so they better be good

 

[deserth3]

So the rear ones didn't take bolts either. That's what I was wondering. Thank you.

No bolts on the rear Timben bump stops

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[Happy Hummer]

I checked out Sumo spring, timbren, air bags by Firestone and one other competitor and torklift stable load. I just think this stuff is a bit pricey for what it is. Sumo, timbren for all purposes are extended bump stops. While torklift is a bunch of metal plates. Air bags seem the most viable option as they seem to actually offer a form of assistance not just a band aid.
Seems to me a new more ridge spring pack would be money better spent.
But of course I have none of these items installed, so this is purely academic.

 

[Hunner]

So I need to at least replace the bushings in the rear springs on my H3, but when I was checking them I noticed the rear of the top leaf was bending down on both sides right at the end of the 2nd from the top leaf. It's not by a lot, but it was enough to be easily noticeable and make me question if I should just replace the whole pack while I'm at it.

I just don't know if it's normal for the top leaf to be bending down at all, particularly when it isn't really loaded (I only have my empty 43qt fridge and some straps and other lightweight recovery gear in the back right now). Searching the internet mostly tells you to replace it if they are clearly broken, cracked, or sagging a lot.

Do you have extended shackles? I tried that back in 06 and it bent the rear of the top spring and separated the pack. I took them off, went back to stock and it came back together. Now, the 08 Alpha I went with airbags to compensate when hauling heavy or towing.

If I were to need to make any further adjustment I will use an extra spring that only comes into use when loaded or towing so as not to mess up the all round driving and riding unlike uh, ride like a truck? lol

 

[alrock]

If I were to need to make any further adjustment I will use an extra spring that only comes into use when loaded or towing so as not to mess up the all round driving and riding unlike uh, ride like a truck? lol

True, my H3 ride is more trucklike and I compensate a bit by always keeping trail gear in the rear - a bit of extra weight helps.

I should add that the other add-ons have hurt the springs: roof rack, sliders, UCP, larger spare tire. It all adds up to overload the springs.

 

[JPaul]

I have no idea why desertH3, K0IPR, and Happy Hummer are going on about bumpstops and airbags and whatnot, that's not the issue here at all. Hijack much? :mock: :giggle:

I think the heaviest payload I've had in there was some bags of mortar. If I had to guess I'd say I had gotten at most 6 or 7 80lb bags. So that'd be only 480 - 560 pounds over the rear axle. Even if I had gotten 10 bags (seriously don't think it was that much) that's still only 800 pounds, and it was for only a 2 mile drive from Lowes to my home over smooth roads with no passengers or other gear in the car.

I do not have extended shackles, everything was bone stock on this rig when I bought it a couple years ago. Haven't seen the need to modify the suspension other than a t-bar crank and new Bilstiens.

Here's some pics:

 

[JPaul]

Jpaul, the rear springs do the reverse sag at the tail end from being previously overloaded and/or when they are tired. I had my springs rebuilt when the back end was sagging. The rebuilt included rearching the springs and adding a full length leaf. I gave them a spec of about 1.5" above stock as my desired ride height and they met it.

The springs were rearched about two years ago and they appear to be holding. I also replaced all of the bushings at that time but did not replace the bump stops.

My opinion is that the stock springs are barely adequate for continued off road use with off road gear on board. A more robust set of springs is beneficial.

What other springs are there than OEM? I think the only ones I've seen are Old Man Emu. And how much did it run you to get the springs re-arched?

I do plan on having my fridge and recovery gear in the truck all the time, plus I am going to be building a set of storage drawers using steel 1" tube and sheet metal drawers (re-purposed server chassis') which will add a little bit of weight. How much stiffer is your ride with that extra leaf in there? Was there a payload capacity difference as well?

 

[JPaul]

By the way, those pics are with my current running load of the ARB/Engel 43qt fridge and only some lightweight gear, my straps, chain, compressor, and hi-lift are all out right now.

 

[alrock]

Jpaul, I guess I'd be less worried about the reverse bend vs. the flatness of the arch like Hunner posted.

I don't recall exactly what I paid for the springs, but I think it was about the same as the cost of two new springs w/o shipping (or labor). Reloader and I did the work. (Which means of course Reloader did most of the work.)

A lot of people are against rearching springs, saying the rearch doesn't last. I spent some time looking at local companies and found one that's been in business a while and had a good reputation, both online and with people I talked to. It was funny when I took in the springs - "Oh look, little truck springs" they said. Mostly they work on work trucks that haul loads all day, so they obviously get some steady commercial business.

What killed my springs was hauling the H3T diamondback bed cover to Moab in addition to my normally heavy load. That created my reverse bend and by that time my springs were flattening out.

I'd say there was a payload capacity that I gained with the springs. Note that the parts I talked about added over 250 lbs to the H3, with more than half on the rear axle. Plus with offroad gear, that's probably 350ish total. Not a lot necessarily, but enough for the OEM springs to tell me they were done after a while.

 

[4speedfunk]

That reverse bend and flat appearance is totally normal. I'm not saying it's okay...but nearly every H3 that rolls in/out of here has the same issue. The top leafs actually break on some H3, usually at the front eye. I run $80 eBay add-a-leafs on my H3. They are for Colorado/Canyons and they help with the flatness but not with the reverse bend. I don't think it's from overloading...they're just a crappy design.

Spring over axle mid seems to make the bending worse.

T rear springs are softer. I've ran both and the SUV springs offer a slight upgrade over the T springs.

Search for a very old thread from Bebe. She added a full length second leaf from a Tahoe I think...probably the cheapest, easiest fix.


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[Panzer07]

Did you get the Timbren GMRETB Suspension Enhancement System for around $200?

If so, how tall are they and how did they go in?

For $200 I'd just go ahead and spend a little more and install airbags...$200 For just bumpstops seem way too much...im running this kit is the one that I concluded to be the most h3 friendly.
Air Lift 57275 LoadLifter 5000 Series Rear Air Spring Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CFQ2XM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_jlHEzb0JE936G
I know this company also have airbags that come with bumpstops inside them...but I don't think they are needed I'm sure they cost a little more as well.
Im permanently hauling about 5/600 lbs in the rear between my bumper tire carrier and spare which cause the spring to sag badly about 3 inch. Anyways now i have the airbags set at 40 psi...the ride went back up to the right height and is comfortable since the airbags psi is low.

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[mjferencak]

Panzer,

Did your air lift kit come with a compressor or are you not running an on-board compressor and just preloading the bags with air?

 

[Panzer07]

Panzer,

Did your air lift kit come with a compressor or are you not running an on-board compressor and just preloading the bags with air?

No it didn't come with one. I have a portable compressor which I plan on using for an onboard air system, but as of right the bags are preload individually at 40 psi...im thinking on using a t to have the bags link with each other so they transfer air from one to another when in the trails...work as reservoirs but I want to see first how they do individually.

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[Burtor]

I just replaced the rear spring bushings and the upper shackle bushings along with Schwarttzy's extended shackles and here my 100,000 miles and the Michigan salt and rust made it look like yours before I started.

Prepare yourself mentally to buy new bolts and use a sawzall to (carefully) chop the old shackles out and (very carefully) chop the walls of the bushings enough to press those out too. Only one of four bolts came out of the bushing, the rest were rusted to the center sleeve and tore the rubber when I tried to unscrew them.
Also, prepare to buy new rear shocks, as the bushings on those tore as well.
Also, the front bolt on the driver side leaf spring can not be removed without dropping the fuel tank, so maybe be nearly out of gas before you start the project.
It's recommended to install it facing the other way when you put it back, so it isn't as annoying the next time, if ever.

Good news for me though, my rear suspension is practically new now!

If I could do it again I probably would have just bought new springs so I wouldn't have to worry about the bushings.
Oh, and you will need new U bolts too, I hear.

Here's a thread with a bunch of part numbers and info. You'll discover that the 2009 H3 has less expensive leaf springs. Nobody knows why, they should be exactly the same and work on all other years.
http://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/forum/showthread.php?5608-Leaf-Spring-bushings

I do not have extended shackles, everything was bone stock on this rig when I bought it a couple years ago. Haven't seen the need to modify the suspension other than a t-bar crank and new Bilstiens.

Here's some pics:

 

[Richard Donahue]

I just replaced the rear spring bushings and the upper shackle bushings along with Schwarttzy's extended shackles and here my 100,000 miles and the Michigan salt and rust made it look like yours before I started.

Prepare yourself mentally to buy new bolts and use a sawzall to (carefully) chop the old shackles out and (very carefully) chop the walls of the bushings enough to press those out too. Only one of four bolts came out of the bushing, the rest were rusted to the center sleeve and tore the rubber when I tried to unscrew them.
Also, prepare to buy new rear shocks, as the bushings on those tore as well.
Also, the front bolt on the driver side leaf spring can not be removed without dropping the fuel tank, so maybe be nearly out of gas before you start the project.
It's recommended to install it facing the other way when you put it back, so it isn't as annoying the next time, if ever.

Good news for me though, my rear suspension is practically new now!

If I could do it again I probably would have just bought new springs so I wouldn't have to worry about the bushings.
Oh, and you will need new U bolts too, I hear.

Here's a thread with a bunch of part numbers and info. You'll discover that the 2009 H3 has less expensive leaf springs. Nobody knows why, they should be exactly the same and work on all other years.
http://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/forum/showthread.php?5608-Leaf-Spring-bushings

How do you like having the extended shackles on there?

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[JPaul]

One of the local guys has a set of low mileage springs I'm going to pick up from him for cheap, that will fix my bushing and spring problem until I can get the money to have some custom springs made for me.

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[Burtor]

How do you like having the extended shackles on there?

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I like them. I also cranked my torsion bars at the same time, so I sill have a slightly negative rake and now all four corners are off the bump stops. Others have disliked the floating feeling that can cause, but I don't mind yet. I'll be hauling a larger trailer in a few weekends and I'll see if it feels too mushy. I might want to get an airbag kit for the rear to help stiffen it up someday.

One of the local guys has a set of low mileage springs I'm going to pick up from him for cheap, that will fix my bushing and spring problem until I can get the money to have some custom springs made for me.

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I took another look at my leafs and they have the same flat spot as you do. I think I'll leave it for now, and replace them sometime in the future. Oh well.
Sounds like a good solution for you now though, good luck!