Forum:
Hi Guys,
I have an MOT coming up in November and just noticed that one of my 1998 F78 SE rear coil springs is broken although fitting in place snugly.
I assume that the MOT guy is bound to fail it, and wondered if anybody could advise me on the procedure for replacing these springs. I assume a pair is recommended so that the truck is not lopsided, although I have to say that at the moment even with a broken spring my truck doesn't seem to notice on the road.
There is a massive amount of rust under the caked mud I have washed off, and I am trying to estimate if it is worth tackling as a home job. I know that Milner's have heavy duty springs at around £95 each which is OK. The only spring compressors I have at the moment were purchased for a Ford Escort front suspension job, and look a bit long and spindly.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cost of rear springs.
Should have said £96 per pair, sorry Milner.
Drop the trailing arm and
Drop the trailing arm and they pop out, clean and derust the mounts and paint, fit the new springs and coat with old oil to prevent corrosion.
Replacing F78 rear coil springs.
Thanks for your advice, I just managed to get a manual on CD and it looks more straight forward than I thought. Biggest problem is the corrosion is already extensive. The fixing bolts look as if they won't be reused. It's one of these jobs that you can't decide how far to go. Do you fix the one thing that is already broken, or do you replace everything while you are at it?
Do it all while it is down,
Do it all while it is down, clean and paint the spring mounts, use the existing rubbers if OK, refit new bolts such as BZP and lather with copper grease. Check the drain hole on your spring mount and if it hasn't got one then drill a2-3mm diameter hole to drain water out as it can sit in the spring mounts and this rots them through.
Tubing Connection on rear axle casing, what is it?
While preparing to fit new rear coil springs, and rubber spring bumpers, I noticed a redundant tube, similar diameter to brake pipes, coming down through floor under rear seat. It changes into flexible rubber while going over axle and connects to a little vertical tube immediately above the right hand side jacking/axle stand position. Does anybody know what this tube is for? The connections from metal to rubber are held with spring clips. I say mine is 'redundant' because the metal pipe is so corroded it obviously carries no content.
Loosening off trailing arms.
Well, try as I might, I couldn't get the bolts on the ends of the trailing arms to budge. I took the springs and bolts to my friendly workshop, and he couldn't budge them either. He ended up detaching the axle from the upper control arms and dropping it down. The springs fitted in easy then, job done. There is more than one way of skinning a cat!
Vent pipe for the
Vent pipe for the differential maybe?
David T
Most likely one of the fuel
Most likely one of the fuel tank breathers, they run under the wheel arch to a small plastic valve, then a pipe runs inside the chassis or sill depending upon configuration.
Vent Pipe
Yes, that's what it appears to be, a breather for the diff. It isn't breathing any more but unless I want to swim the truck, I am not to bothered about that.
You should try exactly the
You should try exactly the "assassin" have advised to... but if you are not comfortable doing so or if it is not fitting properly, then i believe you should not DIY and look for a professional hand.