Shocks are like steel bars.

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Dano500

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2023
Posts
292
Reaction score
448
Location
Houston, TX
First Name
Dan
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7
@Rusty Nail the sway bar was parallel with the ground. The problem, aside from being so old, was the PO put on 3” blocks up front with the OEM shocks. The shocks were old, dried out and hyper extended, so they were seized. Did you see the pic I just posted? The leaf spring isn’t as wide as sleeve. I feel like that isn’t right, but this is my first leaf spring job.

@DoubleDingo yeah, it was same for me. I got these new leaf springs and shocks, but the leaf springs aren’t as wide as sleeves/ shackles. Its summits private brand and when I call to ask, they don’t know. Lol
 

DoubleDingo

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2012
Posts
10,962
Reaction score
16,307
Location
Right where I am
First Name
Bagoomba
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
81-C20 Silverado Camper Special-TH400-4.10s
Engine Size
Carb'ed Vortec 350
@Rusty Nail the sway bar was parallel with the ground. The problem, aside from being so old, was the PO put on 3” blocks up front with the OEM shocks. The shocks were old, dried out and hyper extended, so they were seized. Did you see the pic I just posted? The leaf spring isn’t as wide as sleeve. I feel like that isn’t right, but this is my first leaf spring job.

@DoubleDingo yeah, it was same for me. I got these new leaf springs and shocks, but the leaf springs aren’t as wide as sleeves/ shackles. Its summits private brand and when I call to ask, they don’t know. Lol
Mine is a C20 with factory springs, and when I bought it, possibly factory shocks, doubtful but they were definitely shot/frozen.

New parts are a gamble nowadays. If you hadn't bought new, I'd suggest getting the old ones rearched
 

Dano500

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2023
Posts
292
Reaction score
448
Location
Houston, TX
First Name
Dan
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7
@DoubleDingo the stock springs on this truck have a negative arch and the PO had blocks up front, so I was trying to right the wrong, but now I have Summit racing selling me springs that I don’t think are correct. The front eyelet isn’t even big enough for the 9/16 bushing. They even sold me the wrong liquid line for a/c. I hate them. lol
 

DoubleDingo

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2012
Posts
10,962
Reaction score
16,307
Location
Right where I am
First Name
Bagoomba
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
81-C20 Silverado Camper Special-TH400-4.10s
Engine Size
Carb'ed Vortec 350
@DoubleDingo the stock springs on this truck have a negative arch and the PO had blocks up front, so I was trying to right the wrong, but now I have Summit racing selling me springs that I don’t think are correct. The front eyelet isn’t even big enough for the 9/16 bushing. They even sold me the wrong liquid line for a/c. I hate them. lol
Oh yeah, I forget about the "flat" front springs. Great for comfort, not for a lift. Probably still could arch them. But you bought new, and questionable new. Hopefully summit can work with you to correct it. If not, send 'em back and get something that fits correctly
 

Rusty Nail

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Posts
9,939
Reaction score
9,955
Location
the other side of the internet
First Name
Rusty
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350sbc
I was thinking about how a change in tire OD would directly effect the amount of jounce? I never thought about before?? Huh.
Y3ah with the blocks and whatever tire change im sure it was pretty bound up!
Glad you got it fixed.

Let's look that up .. jounce.


You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach



Carry on.
 

Dano500

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2023
Posts
292
Reaction score
448
Location
Houston, TX
First Name
Dan
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7
@Rusty Nail yeah, jounce is a perfect descriptor. Lol

Mostly everything I read says that new leaf springs aren’t as wide as the shackles, but of course the sleeves/ bushings are. If I keep these springs, I would have to switch to 7/16 front spring bolt also.
 

legopnuematic

Licensed Junk Dealer
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2016
Posts
2,181
Reaction score
5,152
Location
MO
First Name
Spencer
Truck Year
1971, 1̶9̶7̶4, 1976, 1979,1̶9̶8̶5, 2002
Truck Model
Dart Swinger, Sierra 10, C10 Cheyenne, C10 Big Ten, Silverado 10, Ram 2500
Engine Size
225/6, 350 c.i., 350 c.i., 5.9l Cummins
What is the part number for the springs and what do they measure width wise? 2.75” wide is what they should be for a square if I’m not mistaken.
 

Dano500

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2023
Posts
292
Reaction score
448
Location
Houston, TX
First Name
Dan
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7
@legopnuematic , I think the originals are 3” and these are 2.5”.
 
Last edited:

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,843
Reaction score
26,509
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Lift springs are nearly always narrower than the stock front springs. However, the bushings *should* have a thicker shoulder to make up the difference. Looks like the Summit springs just included bushings that are sort of right, but not right.
 

Dano500

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2023
Posts
292
Reaction score
448
Location
Houston, TX
First Name
Dan
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7
@bucket yeah, they didn’t include any bushings and they didn’t even specify that you needed different bushings. I ended up purchasing energy suspension, regular replacement bushings, and they were wrong. When I called and complained today sent me the right bushings. Lol.
 

Dano500

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2023
Posts
292
Reaction score
448
Location
Houston, TX
First Name
Dan
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7
So, maybe the cause of the “steel bar” feeling? Truck rides so much better now. Replaced springs and shocks.
You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach
 

DoubleDingo

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2012
Posts
10,962
Reaction score
16,307
Location
Right where I am
First Name
Bagoomba
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
81-C20 Silverado Camper Special-TH400-4.10s
Engine Size
Carb'ed Vortec 350
So, maybe the cause of the “steel bar” feeling? Truck rides so much better now. Replaced springs and shocks.
You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach
NAH! Good as new, steel bar new.

Hope it's all good now
 

Forum statistics

Threads
43,422
Posts
935,297
Members
35,274
Latest member
BlackandBlue
Top