replacing a single broken leaf spring on the car/truck

I had a bad leaf but did not want to replace both packs and fight the rusty mounting hardware, www.donovanspring.com/Manchester

[@dave1135]

Good video, Darren. I had a similar issue a few weeks ago, my future son in law bought a 98 Chevy z71:2500 4x4 pickup with a 6 inch lift and 33 tires. Anyway, he romped it across the four lane highway leaving his work, and ended up having what we thought was the centering bolt snap, and one side of the axle slid back about 6 inches, causing the driveshaft to pop out of the transfer case. Luckily the drive shaft didn't drop down. So he was stranded in a huge hyvee grocery store parking lot and no money for a tow truck. He calls me, I look at it,tell him what he needs, and I get a new centering bolt, and new u bolts. We fix it in the parking lot, brought every tool I though we'd need, including the gas wrench, acetylene torch. I'm getting my hip repaced in two weeks, so I couldn't do much work on it, so my son and future son in law did the work. Neither are mechanically inclined, but with my instruction we got it done. We are a rural farming community, so hyvee was fine with us fixing it there. Red neck repair at its best!

[@mustie1]

sounds like a great bonding moment there, good luck with you hip too,

[@willtricks9432]

Had a ten ton truck fail it's (UK) MOT test back in the 90s, one issue was a cracked leaf in a stack of nine. Was a rare truck and produced in1976 so new parts were not around. A fitter I knew said take it off split the pack, I gave him the bits and in his back yard he welded them. Cooled and back in the pack, lots of clamps,back on the truck and was still good 5 years later when I sold it. No charge, but we swapped favours for about 20 years. Did it same way you show here. He taught me to try anything, you're showing others the same method and it is great.Thanks

[@johnstrange6799]

Impressed with the shop that you got it from. A fair price, and with everything included almost seems unheard of these days.

[@BobPegram]

and it all fit!!!

[@odahithedubious2017]

I had a friend who made a sword from an old leaf spring, it took him a long time to shape it with hand tools, but that was all he had. He was in interesting fellow. I lost track of him, I hope he's doing well. Nice video, glad it went easily for you. Linda and I send our best.

[@emf1993]

It definitely blows my mind how easy you make stuff look!

[@kb1gni]

Glad you had good luck with Donovan. They've treated me well in the past.

[@mustie1]

its a great place

[@ronbutler6502]

DARREN U ARE SO KNOWLEDGEABLE I WAS A MECHANIC FOR MANY YEARS AND I NEVER ACCOMPLISHED ALL U HAVE...I COULD DO ALL MECHANICAL ITEMS BUT NEVER HAVE EXPERIENCED ALL U HAVE WOW TKS MY FRIEND RON GREAT LEARN EXPERIENCE

[@jayemm7425]

Dude, you rock. I wasn't even aware this was an option and because of your video, I found a somewhat local fabricator to get me one made for both sides with hardware delivered for $400cad instead of the $2300 per side that Mopar charges.

[@codycheney3401]

Although I haven't lived in the rust belt going on 15 years now it still amazes me the massive rust you have to deal with. As a bodyman I don't miss it at all. When I can go out and change rotors and pads without having to buy new pistons and seals or the entire unit. We may get a bolt that will break every once in a while we dont have to get creative on undercoating .... It reminds me of how fortunate we are ....

[@OSO1974OSO]

Ready lift a Nissan frontier 6

[@zx8401ztv]

Great job mustie, looks perfect. What a great business, made while you wait, well worth the money.

[@jameshengl5230]

Darren good luck finding the rear pinion for your other truck. And great repair video.

[@paint1220]

had the same thing happen was scared i would have to replace the whole pack and spring but your video set my mind at ease. So very glad i can replace a single leaf thanks so much keep up the good work, also it seems from the vids ive seen that exact leaf always fails first most likely on trucks thanks again!

[@ravenfeather7087]

Good video. You seem like a very bright guy. Patient too.

[@ggfcfhvyy9272]

i don’t even have a leaf spring on my truck and i’m watching this video cause you do an amazing job explaining and how to video

[@jasonpatterson8091]

I remember doing this with my dad on my mom's Chevette back in the 80's. It had one broken spring, but we didn't realize how bad the remaining spring was, so when we replaced the broken one that side was about 10" higher than the other. Had to do the other spring the next weekend.

[@Blazer02LS]

I have a local place that will build me pretty much any coil or leaf type I would like. Came in real handy when the FD got the Mack chassis tanker. The old dept. kept replacing the springs with factory stuff and they would break yearly. Went to Dunhams and had them make a HEAVY duty pack, Tanker sets much better now and actually handles better to boot. Have had them make springs for custom trailers as well. Say you're building a welding trailer and have one side heavier than the other, they can make springs that will set level and work correctly.

[@ziggassedup]

There was a time in OZ where leafs broke regularly but it's been a while since I've had to do that.

[@madcapmartin1]

Just like to say how much I enjoy watching your videos and thanks for taking the time to share your work with us, Keep up the great work. Bye

[@mustie1]

thanks for takin the time to watch

[@mostlymoparih5682]

Nice fix. Dan da da dum, hammer time and torque to spec good ones.

[@harryireland1935]

Wow that went smooth. Good job!

[@redshogun9487]

Leave it to mustie to be the only one to show me exactly what I needed to learn. Lmao. "Torque it to spec" *proceeds to tighten the piss out of it with an air wrench* 😂🤣

[@gunrunner4653]

You make it all look so easy and you always have a laff. Enjoy these videos very much

[@jakeblaha9233]

I had an 01 and a 00 now both with the same spring broke but on the passenger side. The first time I had a local shop replace the single spring for about $250. I just got heavy duty replacement packs from ats spring in PA and will be installing soon. The complete 5 leaf hd packs we're about $600 shipped with new u-bolts, eye bolts, and bump stops.

[@TheEZGZ]

Can't believe this vid popped up on my recommended watch! I just noticed my 93 Toyota 4x4 had the same spring break on the passenger side. The ends were rusty so I know it wasn't recent but it bugged me ounce I discovered it. Made the truck 1 inch lower and that's really bugged me. I saw spring packs starting at $100 on Rock auto and O'riely's was $500+ for one side. Ended up going to "Michigan Spring" up your way. $180 per side + u bolts. They said Torque to 100 #, Drive for a day and retorque. I'm sure it is not going to be a 25 minute job. I've never done this before. Kind of scared about all the energy those springs hold. You make things look easier than they really are. Thanks for the vid. At least I have an idea what's ahead of me. Hope my springs show up soon.

[@slimjim119]

those old broken springs can make some nice knifes or other things great video

[@MegaGrahamo]

hi mustie 1 ive been following you for a while and i must say that i really enjoy your videos look forward to many more all the best megagrahamo

[@mustie1]

thanks for takin the time to watch

[@davidjohnson8474]

That's very cool! We have a place like that here in Connecticut in Waterbury and Danbury right off 84

[@lawrencechannell3788]

That sort of break is usually caused by "axle wrap". Happens when a spinning tire suddenly gets traction, like going from ice onto bare pavement. when the tire suddenly gets traction, the force causes the rear axle housing to try to rotate in the opposite direction. Because the front of the spring has no shackle ,therefore it's rigid, most of the "wrap" happens in the rear part of the spring. Because of the rotation of the driveshaft, the rear axle housing also tries to rotate opposite of the driveshaft, which is why the break usually happens on the driver's side. Moral of the story, don't spin your tires when going from slippery to dry.

[@iannewman20ify]

Exactly that iv noticed i spin up at our yard when its wet its on a manhole cover just in the right place and I presume that's what's crack one of my rear leafs on a 02 hilux 👍

[@whaleyboys5801]

Great vid I have the same broken spring on my 07 f150. It’s the spring with the camp on it.

[@strictlyxjs8750]

i had the same problem with my comamche pickup ended up buying new leaf spings wish i knew they did this before, nice vid.

[@TedBishop1]

I had a 1985 chevy silverado PU that broke two spring leafs on the driver side and actually went clanging down the road.they broke where the alignment stud passes thru them.luckily there is a shop near here that builds spring packs and cuts spring leafs too.

[@richardlarose8863]

I have a Tundra and the exact same leaf broke on mine. Nice to know I don't have to replace the whole thing. Thanks

[@altonriggs2352]

great video..what a great supplier! looked like quality parts with all needed extras. did you fix the other truck too?

[@capecodcuda]

$101. A good deal with all the correct hardware

[@bigdmofatski]

This save me hundreds of dollars, I was pricing two leaf packs.

[@EasternExplorer]

The same leaf broke on my truck. I just went to the junkyard and got one for 20 bucks. Just need new U bolts and that center pack bolt now.

[@michaeljohnson1006]

Had to replace the rear coil spring on my Vauxhall astra... you could actually see a corrosion spot from the surface right into the centre of the metal I never thought it could cause a weakness but I guess it can ?

[@fillg]

You're supposed to say click when your "torque wrench" gets to the appropriate tightness. :)

[@seventy4jns855]

Like Jeff does on the Elderlyiron channel...haha

[@BobPegram]

I think Jeff Bradshaw has all rights to it for a few more years. He recently got a set of "click wrenches". I wonder if a viewer got tired of him saying "click"?

[@fillg]

I laugh every time he says it. I've started saying it myself but I'm the only one that ever hears me say it so hopefully the copyright police won't come get me. :)

[@Bone-girl]

QnArmo Volks

[@jbmbanter]

Being a good ole Southerner I probably have said it before but I really feel for you, rpeek and other Northerners dealing with the 'cancer' on the underside of your vehicles. I guess it just goes with the territory as the saying goes. :)

[@blair79bear38]

When I did my 1980 GMC 3/4 ton almost 10 years ago I just went to Standens and bought packs for both back sets as I had broken ones and I figured they were all fatigued. new bushings and everything. for some reason I did not replace the fronts and maybe I should have.

[@DoRC]

Awesome job. It may be hard to believe but a 5/16 bolt tightened to just 12 lb ft provides 2400lbs of clamping force which is more than enough to pull a spring pack together without breaking a sweat. So if it helps during an installation there's no reason the center pin bolt can't be used to pull the pack together.

[@mustie1]

l think the problem is people run it together with an impact then snap it releasing the energy all at once,

[@DoRC]

Mustie1 oh... Yeah... Don't use an impact:)

[@breikowski]

As a fellow Tundra owner, I would be very tempted to add an extra leaf on both sides, looks like your bolts would allow it. My tundra drops to the ground with 500lbs in the back.

[@gosportjamie]

It looks like that leaf cracked across the top first, then the elements got in and cause rust which weakened it until it eventually snapped completely. I've seen that sort of pattern on broken leaves before, but only on vehicles 40+ years old. I would guess it's a combination of maybe poor manufacturing on those leaves (I would think if it's poor steel it wouldn't just be that same leaf that breaks, there'd be plenty of cases of other leaves failing too) and the harsh winter weather causing heavy road salt usage in your part of the world...

[@steveo2766]

Thanks for the great videos tutorials. Queensland Australia 😃

[@braydendaunt7070]

Stephen Williams representing Brisbane

[@bugtkz9153]

Brand new leaf packs on Amazon, are $120.00 I just ordered 2 of them...

[@19matthew58]

what do you do with the broken leaf spring? they make great knife blades. love your videos!

[@MRrwmac]

Nice work. Great that you found the shop to make the leaf for you! I'd like to have a good impact driver. What psi and capacity compressor is needed just for DIY repairs when necessary? Any recommendation on the air wrench? Thanks!

[@mustie1]

you want a compressor that the low is at least 120, and has at least a 20 gal tank, the rest is what you availible for power, 120/240 they make electric ones that are real good too.

[@MRrwmac]

Mustie1 Than you very much! Mine is only an 8 gal with 115 psi. Guess I'll have to save up to get one that strong on Craig's list. (Or a garage sale and try to fix it to run like you do).

[@macgroober1396]

If you don't use air tools much the electric is the way to go. A nice big electric impact is waaaay cheaper and easier to get than purchasing a compressor, water filters, line, fittings, etc.

[@Jim-ie6uf]

Guess you're the leader of the pack!

[@suzj4770]

I have a story of a broken leaf spring from a truck laying in the road. I hit it and the spring piece came up thru the floor of my 70s toyota then hit the seat rail of my seat pushing my seat up with lots of sparks scared the bleep out of me. blessings

[@mustie1]

that would sure wake you up

[@michaelb.5345]

Great video. That would really help a guy do the same. You are too good !... Mike

[@jimbak478]

What information did you have to the shop who made your new spring? Curious to know how the had the correct dimensions for length and curvature.

[@antn8387]

"torque u-bolts to spec" ***uses impact gun*** lol

[@lcvt8023]

Awesome, thank you. just talked to Donovan spring...I'm on my way! big time thanks friend!

[@dustin1203]

Will you be (someday) be making a video of a "custom tool" or a knife made from the pieces of the old broken spring??? If not, what will it be in the hoard for? :)

[@WayneB27]

My 2003 tundra had the frame replaced by Toyota, however when they did it they failed to change a broken l/h leaf spring. mine also rubbed a hole into a brand new Bilstein shock .The front drivers side lower ball joint let go and ruined a tyre in the process. Apparently both the sring and ball joint were part of a recall but I was never notified of it and fixed the spring and balljoint myself . Otherwise a good truck .

[@neolexington]

This just happened to me, thanks for the vid!

[@genesis204]

Great video man, I'm tackling mine right now on my 04 f150, same leaf too, less luck than you so far tho :/

[@wtbm123]

A lot of F150 s , had the spring break issue too . a lot of people figure those out when the leaf turns and takes out the tire

[@mustie1]

thats a rude awakining

[@veronicats100]

Metal cracking is contingent on metal grain structure. When the piece is initially formed there likely was a dislocation of some sort in the grain which ultimately can cause a crack which would grow over time. It would take a good microscope to see it, and then you have to know what to look for.

[@huck01955]

Nice work sir :)

[@shawnstrode3825]

Commonly a lead inclusion will cause that kind of fracture. Under a strong magnification you can see the crystalline structure. A high percentage of used steel could be the cause. This design has been around too long for a stack failure. Unless all are breakage is at the same tire, leaf and the same point. Do you know, has the problem reoccurred after replacement?

[@FJ80Coop]

Man that salt on the roads up there does a number on the steel,and metals...I live close to the Gulf of Messico,and we get rust like that,but it doesn't seem to be as all over,and complete as there,nor as fast to destroy a new vehicle...

[@regulator67bj]

Watching your vid always something to take a LEAF out of.

[@Rosskenpo1]

Just did this job on my son's 2001 Tundra, same leaf, same side. But I decided to go with a complete leaf pack only ~`$180 shipped. My thought is if one leaf broke, other leafs may also soon break. Not too bad a job, but those u bolt nuts were a bitch to get off. If I was to do it again, I would just cut them. Rides real well.

[@shawnstrode3825]

By any chance did the leaf break around the same point?

[@martymarquardt1186]

First video I found on the topic. Trying to fix my tundra driver side leaf.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Fabulous video 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@alnbaba]

I've broken one on each side of my truck and a shackle, luckily for me there is a spring shop in walking distance.

[@emaxxx4]

At 19:48 you mentioned the clamps that secure the leaves in place. Are they supposed to go on the back too or only the front? I have a '94 F150 with both of the back ones missing and the bottom leaves are both offset a bit. Are they supposed to be omitted from the back? I have replacement clamps just in case but wanted to try and hammer them back in place first and put those rear leaf clamps on (if in fact that are supposed to be attached).

[@CaseyFinSF]

Thanks for posting this. I am not looking forward to doing this w/o a garage, lift, or air tools. Top spring on the forward shackle passenger side of a 1999 Dodge Ram Van 3500 snapped about 8 inches from the end. The second leaf was just resting on the underside of the broken end piece . Didn't notice until I replaced the air shocks after one bladder blew up on me on that side. Lucky it didnt shift sideways on me, otherwise I'd be up shit creek without a paddle fer sure. At least now , if I can find one top leaf with the shackle ends , I'll know WTF I'm in for thanks to u. 😩😳👍👍🤘😎

[@proswishagamer9955]

Can I leave the 3rd spring off and just have 2 on it

[@aleblanc3547]

Not as hard as I thought. Of course, it helps that you know what your doing too.

[@denegocioz3359]

Does every leaf spring has its own side or there is a possibility to switch the driver to the passenger side?

[@IntegraDIY]

Can't wait for the undercarriage oiling! Even though I'm in SoCal

[@Texas-Chris]

Well done Mustie!!

[@soundslikeaplan841]

Super helpful. Cheers!

[@kpdvw]

Cause of breakage on drivers side only Axial torque load and drive shaft rotational torque loading during acceleration being compounded on this particular spot on the leaf spring is a possibility. That and inferior spring steel used by Toyota Motor Company.. hope this helps kp

[@bigsonslawncare]

YEPS same side on mine also🤔

[@Phatty057]

loctite the keeper bolts. I have had one back out on me.

[@RadioRex72]

AWESOME video Mustie! Really enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@granskare]

my son with his BSME from U of Ill called the 'hammer an impact maintenance tool "

[@markfreeman408]

Wow

[@Hurm0s]

Should there be some bump stops on top of that leaf pack or hanging from frame?

[@terryrideout7457]

Great video. I learned a lot .Thanks so much

[@TheGreatdane56]

good vid but no lube between leafs to help prevent squeeks?

[@mustie1]

no they have plastic rub pads built in.

[@Kneal911]

would this cause a change in the pinion angle?

[@whoolph]

Pretty easy fix (sez the guy in the easy chair lol). Nice work D . . . . ;) Rog

[@dylandubois8978]

Lol I live right in Litchfield NH. Londonderry isnt far from me at all haha

[@shoppe99]

Hitting the broken spring w a wire wheel probably removed any evidence of a prior crack or break to investigate as that area is usually rusty and the new "clean" break is nice and shiny.

[@82donut]

Might be replacing that brake line next. Lol

[@HarveySpooner]

Mustie1, Spring change was not bad, no smashed fingers and no profanity!!!

[@davejames2015]

Can a guy just remove the broken leaf and remove the same on the other side? The one above the over load is broke on mine

[@acerig4675]

well done!

[@miguelcastaneda7236]

great price one here said he had bargain at 250$ looked they were salvage yard springs i can do that for 39 $

[@jeffmyers1051]

what kind of oil do you spray on the bottom of the vehicle

[@mustie1]

next vid will answer that

[@rahrah8076]

Tried doing this with a 2010 Chevy Silverado and they have a lift block or spaced block and installing the Center bolt makes the leaf spring teeter totter have no idea why they added those blocks..it is factory

[@rahrah8076]

What I did was ordered the single leaf spring and Center bolt off rock auto and shaved the Center bolt down a bit as it was to thick

[@TheStwat]

Yay, yet another Mustie1 vid :)

[@granskare]

great to see, I am too old to work myself so I do it thru you :)

[@mustie1]

yeah but you can hold the light for me,

[@granskare]

now that is a good idea...now how to get you to do that is the question. :)

[@godfreylockwood1078]

Hi sir. I have a 2002 tundra v8 4.7 liter, I believe it’s the same as yours. The same leaf spring you replaced, mine broke on both sides. I’m trying to replace mine but I live internationally. So where I’m from we don’t have companies that make them for you like the way Donovan spring co did for you. I don’t kno what to do an I would like to see how I can get 2 of the same ones you got replaced on your tundra.

[@creative_expressionproductions]

You're brave jacking the car up on the drum brake housing 🤨 I can't tell if there are jack stands. Be careful bro.

[@vladimir5747]

were can i buy those leaf ?

[@uawsux]

I wish you had some kind of a huge sandblaster I really that bar chain oil is got to be very messy.....

[@TheDisorderly1]

Having lived in the rust belt my whole life I've gotten to the point of using never seeze on pretty much everything I take apart anymore.