Rear springs,tire wear,712

[M Wehrman]

Here's my question for those in the know. We all seem to look for ways to even the tire wear in the rear,the most common one is to add a bunch of weight in the rear. This will help with the tire attitude but at the cost of reduced power and fuel comsumption. If you don't carry much weight,could the middle spring be pulled out of the leafset to acheive a good attitude? I know ground clearance would be reduced,but the same could be said for adding weight. Any thoughts anyone?
Mark

[undysworld]

Hi Mark,

If I remember correctly, there was someone some time back who had their rear springs recurved, or uncurved, or whatever. At any rate, the truck sat a little lower and thus the tires flatter. It may have been a post from a couple years back. I haven't heard/seen anything lately that I remember.

I rotate my tires pretty frequently. That keeps the wear pretty much the same from tire to tire. Then, when the outside edges get fully worn out, I have the tires remounted backwards on the rims and wear out the other edge. It's FAR from ideal, but then, buying 7 tires before the old ones are DEAD is far from ideal too. Ouch.

I have noticed, as the years go by, and the number of crawled boulders increases, that the springs are a little less sprung than they were. If I live long enough, maybe the problem will correct itself! Or maybe I just won't be able to see well enough to be bothered.
Paul

[Anthony]

Springs will sag a little with age due to molecular creep but they will also work harden because of being constantly bent and the spring rate will increase.

Either, or and

Carry more weight in the truck.
Remove a rear leaf.
Have new springs made of a lower rate.
Ask a spring repair place can they we re-temper to reduce the poundage rate.
Use wheel spacers to put more leverage on the stub axles.
Buy Wheels that stick out more to increase leverage on the stub axles.