a few dumb/newb questions

ok so I have a few questions regarding the rear spring tsb and a rust issue but they kinda require some explaining but i numbered the questions. These could be dumb questions but you never learn unless you ask and this was my first time under my truck let alone under any car. Thanks in advance for the help and advice.

I had the rear spring tsb done a few months ago and checked the part numbers and everything matches. However I got a creeper today so it was my first time sliding around under the truck checking everything out. This is what I saw...


1) Granted my truck is dirty but the springs look too rusted to be a few months old or am I just being paranoid?
2) Also I know the spring pack is supposed to be 4 leaf springs so I was wondering if that bottom flat bar counts?



3) I noticed that springs seemed to be lying really flat. Shouldn't they be bent more? (The bed was absolutely empty when I took this picture)



4) Is that curved piece supposed to be like that?


Now for the rust questions.

This is taken from below the back bumper.


5) Is that a normal amount of rust for an '08 truck? I think it is just surface rust but I don't really know so figured I'd ask.

This is also from below the back bumper but right in the middle where the hitch is and this is on the frame. About 4 months ago I noticed some rust so scraped it down and sprayed it with the rustoleum rust inhibitor paint and you can see the rust has surfaced.



6) Again should I be worried? And is there something I can do to prevent the rest from spreading?

Thanks and sorry for the long post filled with dumb questions

 

2. The flat spring is an overload spring and yes it counts
im not sure about the rest but im sure someone els will jump in and help you out.

 

Mine is 2010 got it a month ago and I am already seeing some minor rust, similar to that. My springs look similar. Remember its a truck!

 

ok good to know...thanks

 

yeah I figured it was. I had my truck in maine for the first year and a half i had it but i thought it was worth checking. The more I work on my truck and make it mine the more I worry about those little things...and probably start to forget it is a truck lol...thanks for the reply

 

1. that is normal
4. that is soppose to be like that to. when up put weight in the bed it will make contact.

 

ok good...looks like i can rest easy now...thanks

 

Thats Crazy I Have No Rust At All!

 

yeah one of the many advantages of not living in maine... or the north-east in general lol.