Leaf Spring Maintenance/Improvements

What are some tips and tricks you guys are using for maintenance/improvements on leaf springs?

Mine is going to be apart and figured I’d attempt some sort of refresh.

I came across this article where deaver recommended removing the Teflon pads and beveling the the edges of the spring to make them slide better.

www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/project603.html

I’ve always thought those little pads were a necessity but maybe not?

I also picked up some of this graphite impregnated paint I’m thinking of painting my leafs with.


Anyway, what have you guys done? Anything that made a difference?

 

Following because the quarterly application of underbody spray is getting annoying

 

I used leaf spring liners. Had to break down the pack and cut to length for each leaf and drill the hole for the centering pin. Completely worth it for me.

MACs Auto Parts 48-23719 Poly...

 

Starting today. I don’t even live in the rust belt and my springs look like I just salvaged them from the titanic. I’ll post some pics as I go.

I almost got those. Many years ago I bought some Teflon sheets and cut them to size then did something similar. Didn’t work too well as the sheets didn't have a lip like yours so they kind of worked themselves out after a whole.

 

For anyone keeping score I’m not sure this is actually worth it. This suuuuucks. Removed all of the Teflon pads, beveled the spring edges, and sanded, and painted the graphite stuff. I can see how this stuff makes the springs slick. Question is how long will it last.

Here’s the rust I hand sanded off one full spring so far. Going to pick up a respirator tomorrow.