What is the difference between groove style and hole style pin & clips?

Groove style: has a groove that the clip would slide over and hold in place

Hole Style: the clip would go through the hole and hold into place

How to measure a leaf spring

The 5 features to identify a leaf spring:

1. Width
2. Free Length
3. Number Of Leaves
4. Flat Length
5. Eye Size

Width: A measurement across the bottom of the spring leaves. Corresponds with the width of the spring seats
 

Free Length : A measurement of the length of the spring from eye to eye (or eye to end of slipper for a slipper spring). For this measurement, the tape should be taut, suspended in the air. This measurment does not factor in that a used spring becomes relaxed or stretched out. The measurement gets longer for springs that have been used.

Number Of Leaves: A count of the number of strips of steel stacked together. Count at the centre point.

Flat Length: A length measurement which follows the actual contour of the spring. This measurement is better than the Free Length measurement because old / used springs relax after use. Therefore, when a customer is trying to...

What is a vibration dampener?

Commonly found on Ford F150 pickup trucks, a vibration dampener is a weighted device applied to the vehicle to counteract unwanted vibration. Ford had an issue with the F150 pickups where the bed and cab would oscillate in opposite directions, up and down. Their fix was to hang 50% weight off the rear frame to stop it but the bracket that mounted the device got in the way of where most hitches hooked on. Ford has fixed the issue making the frame heavier in the center so it no longer vibrates, but so many of these pickups are still used today that is still causing an issue with hitch installation.

There are a few trailer hitches available that will work with the vibration dampener. Use our trailer hitch search to see what hitches will work for your vehicle.