First off thanks to everyone on this forum! It has been an invaluable tool for me for years. Wasn't able to find a lot of information on changing the rear springs....so this is my take.
I purchased a used 2006 high top, long wheel base ex-DHL van. Dealership pre-inspection indicated "among other things" broken spring? I determined after a chat with (Andy) aka- Doctor A -that the drivers side rear leaf spring had a broken pin.
I did this by looking at the space between the front of the tire and the forward side of the tire well. (the tire was closer to the front by over 1 1/2 inches!) I compared it to the passengers side and to my other sprinter. In addition i got under the van and could tell by the rust line on the attachment point of the spring that it had moved.
Next i ordered a spring from Dallas Dodge $340 with shipping. Andy informed me that it is crucial to get the right spring- different length vans have different springs (both old springs and the new one had the part number painted on them). I called three dealerships and they all had trouble getting the right part number from the Vin beware.
Next i tried to get a fix on where and how to jack the van. Since the front bolt on the spring is inside the "jack point" i decided to jack the van at the jack point then place a 2 foot long 4x4 along the frame and place the jack stands under it.
Next i placed my floor jack under the differential in order to move the axle up and down.
I removed the four nuts on the u-clamps and removed the plate on top.
I removed the spring bolt and nut on the front. Had to turn the bolt and wiggle the spring to pull it out.
Then to the rear bolt. At this point i realized to remove the bracket on the back was a little tricky. The nut is on the side closer to the outside of the van. The bolt stuck beyond the nut too far to use a short socket and there wasn't enough room to use a deep socket. It would have been great to have a socket length in between but i didn't. Had to remove the nut with the deep socket not on correctly Luckily it didn't strip. Again removing the bolt was tricky.
Next to the old spring out and attempted to put the new one in.......it wouldn't go down flush on the axle mounting plate....Removed new spring and realized the broken part of the alignment pin was still in the hole!
Took out my pick tools and began to pick at it. No luck the pin didn't break flush so the nub rubbed on the mounting plate on the axle till it "smeared" the metal over the hole. Got out the dremel tool using a small metal bit i removed the overlapping metal. Then back to the picks....no luck.... A Magnet! did the trick
Reattached the new spring, tried to put the bracket on the back side in the same (alignment) with the new spring as it was with the old (make a note of position before removing it from the old spring)
I had the same problem with the nut on the back side when i put it back....don't like using a socket that is not straight and completely on the nut. But it went back on!
Next i raised the rear end to meet the spring but the pin was not aligned with the hole...of course...the axle had moved forward. Tried hitting it with a rubber mallet but no luck. Stopped and gave it some thought. A ratchet strap!
Pin lined up, tightened to specs (as per service manual)
I purchased a used 2006 high top, long wheel base ex-DHL van. Dealership pre-inspection indicated "among other things" broken spring? I determined after a chat with (Andy) aka- Doctor A -that the drivers side rear leaf spring had a broken pin.
I did this by looking at the space between the front of the tire and the forward side of the tire well. (the tire was closer to the front by over 1 1/2 inches!) I compared it to the passengers side and to my other sprinter. In addition i got under the van and could tell by the rust line on the attachment point of the spring that it had moved.
Next i ordered a spring from Dallas Dodge $340 with shipping. Andy informed me that it is crucial to get the right spring- different length vans have different springs (both old springs and the new one had the part number painted on them). I called three dealerships and they all had trouble getting the right part number from the Vin beware.
Next i tried to get a fix on where and how to jack the van. Since the front bolt on the spring is inside the "jack point" i decided to jack the van at the jack point then place a 2 foot long 4x4 along the frame and place the jack stands under it.
Next i placed my floor jack under the differential in order to move the axle up and down.
I removed the four nuts on the u-clamps and removed the plate on top.
I removed the spring bolt and nut on the front. Had to turn the bolt and wiggle the spring to pull it out.
Then to the rear bolt. At this point i realized to remove the bracket on the back was a little tricky. The nut is on the side closer to the outside of the van. The bolt stuck beyond the nut too far to use a short socket and there wasn't enough room to use a deep socket. It would have been great to have a socket length in between but i didn't. Had to remove the nut with the deep socket not on correctly Luckily it didn't strip. Again removing the bolt was tricky.
Next to the old spring out and attempted to put the new one in.......it wouldn't go down flush on the axle mounting plate....Removed new spring and realized the broken part of the alignment pin was still in the hole!
Took out my pick tools and began to pick at it. No luck the pin didn't break flush so the nub rubbed on the mounting plate on the axle till it "smeared" the metal over the hole. Got out the dremel tool using a small metal bit i removed the overlapping metal. Then back to the picks....no luck.... A Magnet! did the trick
Reattached the new spring, tried to put the bracket on the back side in the same (alignment) with the new spring as it was with the old (make a note of position before removing it from the old spring)
I had the same problem with the nut on the back side when i put it back....don't like using a socket that is not straight and completely on the nut. But it went back on!
Next i raised the rear end to meet the spring but the pin was not aligned with the hole...of course...the axle had moved forward. Tried hitting it with a rubber mallet but no luck. Stopped and gave it some thought. A ratchet strap!
Pin lined up, tightened to specs (as per service manual)
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