Tech Question - Removing Leaves

Mike,

I have a 2002 GMC Sonoma Regular Cab S Box. I lowered it with 2" spindles, a 1" coil and 3" angled blocks in the rear.

Can I remove one of my leafs to make it sit level from front to back? At the moment I have two leafs and an overload in the rear.

Can I remove the overload and leave the other two? Or remove one leaf and leave the overload, or don't do this at all?

Thanks, Kent

Kent,

A spring is designed so each leaf is equally as important as the next one. Each leaf supplies support to the leaf above and the leaf below it. They all work as a team.

Each leaf is mathematically calculated to be a certain length. The distance between the end of each leaf is critical. Each step should be nearly equal to each other. Removing the 2nd stage or overload will lower the amount of contact the upper stage has with this leaf. However, the 2nd leaf will not have the proper support and will increase axle windup which will decrease handling. Removing any leaf will change the integrity of the spring. Go to our Tech Information Page and download our Spring Tech 101 booklet to read about the designs of springs.

As you may know by now, lowering blocks are the leading cause of handling problems, check out this page for more information on lowering blocks. The best way to get your ride down and handle better is to go with lowered springs. They are designed to not only get you down but to also maintain the integrity and safety of the suspension.

The 3 leaf springs on your truck were available with 2 different arches 5.5" and 7.25". The correct way to measure arch can be found in the Spring Tech 101 booklet. Once we know which spring you have, designing and building the proper lowered spring is a snap.

-Mike