07'- 09' Sprinter Van Rear Leaf Springs

comet_4298 · Jan 4, 2010

I've seen a couple 2500 sprinter vans with a extra leaf spring installed.I've yet found were you can get the extra leaf.Have called Freightliner and they don't have any thing for it and they said that I'm not the first to call about that same thing.So I've done a lot of googlin' and All I can find are Super Spring Helpers or air bags,but that's not what I seen on the other vans.

Has anybody out there had this done to there van or know of anybody that can point me in the right direction????

By the way I have the sleeper in mine and the freight area is only about 8' 11",so when I get somthing with a little weight(1,650 lb.) to it,there's not a lot of room to put some of the weight on the steers.

I'm trying to get a ride that doesn't fell like my front tires are floating and to help take some of the roll out of it,when a big truck passes or a good gust of wind comes along.

guido4475 · Jan 5, 2010

I dont know much about Sprinters, but I am thinking they are pretty much the same setup as many other vans as far as rear suspension is concerned.You should be able to go to any reputable spring shop and have an extra leaf installed along with your original springs. This may require longer u-bolts, and even another front-end alignment as well.You may even experience driveshaft vibration from this due to the fact that by doing this, it may change the angle of the driveshaft.But no matter what you do, run the heaviest rated tire you can to get you safely down the road.I would not trust air-shocks as an alternative.The is an air suspension add-on setup available out there using air bags similar to that of a semi, straight truck, etc.But I havent been able to find out where they are from.Gregg should be able to find this out or already know of this product.

dogshed · Jan 5, 2010

There are a couple of helper air spring kits.
One goes on the leaf springs and another goes
on top of the axle. The one on the axle looks better
to me.

Turtle · Jan 5, 2010

Spring Assist Kit

piper1 · Jan 5, 2010

My info here only relates to 07 and up Sprinters,
Stay away from the air bag helper kits, they do bad things to the frame. Are you seeing the dual springs on passenger vans (had 2 springs from the factory) or are you seeing them on cargo vans as well? If you do get a second spring put in, be very careful not to raise the ride height very much (like 1/2 inch max) or else you will throw off the electronics used for your ESP and some of the functions in the ESP the transmission uses to determine if you are going up a grade (to modify shift points). Also, modifying the rear ride height will affect your alignment up front (caster) which is not adjustable. It is normal for your Sprinter to sit lower on the back than on the front (even empty) it's designed to sit that way. The kit Turtle linked to above is (I think) pricey but it is a very good kit and takes all this stuff into account.

If you are trying to combat the push from passing vehicles, a sway bar kit will help greatly as will AirTabs. I have no sway bay in mine and I put the air tabs on and it made a huge difference.

Next time you have a 1500 lb plus load, spend a few bucks and go get it scaled (making sure your front and rear axles are on different scale sections) you might be surprised at how much weight you do have up front!

Also, make sure your tires are inflated for the job, you will find many suggestions but I have found 70 front and 80 rear cold works very well for stability and tire wear. Just remember to re-set your TPMS when you up the pressures (if you aren't already there).

These are a few things I found with mine after feeling the same way you do....Good Luck!

greg334 · Jan 5, 2010

Piper the 07 and newer has ride height sensors or does this use the increase in torque from the engine to determine new shift points for the load?

piper1 · Jan 6, 2010

Both Greg. It uses the inclinometer built into the ESP to determine if you are climbing a larger hill. The idea is that even tho you may be light enough on the throttle to allow an upshift, this will hold the gear as the upshift would likely result in a downshift right away. It really comes into play on the shifts with the wider ratio spread.

I believe it was one of the things they did to combat the Rumble Strip Noise issue with the previous generation vans that would occur as the engine was in the 1100 to 1600 range with the torque converter locked and the engine vibrations would rattle things a bit (I am simplifying it greatly). What most would just call a good old fashioned sound of torque, diesel Sprinter newbies thought they had "a problem".

greg334 · Jan 6, 2010

OK I got it, it makes sense. Is there an adjustment to the EPS module for the physical mounting of the unit?

piper1 · Jan 6, 2010

I'm not sure Greg....I would think it would be but I don't have a clue how to do it.

Jack_Berry · Jan 7, 2010

hellwig.com

they have the helper springs. been told the 2nd steel spring appears in the motorhome chassis. only seen one or 2 advertised with that set up.

comet_4298 · Jan 8, 2010

Sorry it took so long to get back in here to check,but I do want to thank everyone for the input.

What's a ESP?

Well, I wanted to let you all know that I found one of the driver's phone# that I seen with the extra leaf and gave her a call, to find out were she had them installed(she had to go thru last years taxes to find the info)so, the next day she got back with me. She gave me address+phone#.Called and the first guy said that he thought that they had to be fabed them for that van and said call back the next day to talk to the guy in the fab shop that did that job. Called back the next day for the guy in the fab shop and he said no,we did not have to fab those.........Dayton has some for that van,so he look it up and gave me the part# so I could look in my area for a shop that could get them.

Have not found a shop or spec's on the leaf,....as of yet.

I don't have the part# in front of me right now,but if anybody needs it,I'll post it later.

And again thanks for the help.

piper1 · Jan 9, 2010

ESP is the Electronic Stability Program, in short it's all the gadgets that are supposed to help keep you shiny side up. Its tied into just about everything on the van.

clarkandrew · Nov 24, 2010

dogshed said:
There are a couple of helper air spring kits.
One goes on the leaf spring and another goes
on top of the axle. The one on the axle looks better
to me.

Yah, i agree with this guy. There are lots of air spring kits that goes well on the leaf spring. I have tried this thing before and i got the good result.

danthewolf00 · Nov 24, 2010

john r spring inc of mich makes a leaf spring and installs for like $550

Wolfeman68 · Nov 25, 2010

comet_4298 said:
I've seen a couple 2500 sprinter vans with a extra leaf spring installed.I've yet found were you can get the extra leaf.Have called Freightliner and they don't have any thing for it and they said that I'm not the first to call about that same thing.So I've done a lot of googlin' and All I can find are Super Spring Helpers or air bags,but that's not what I seen on the other vans.

Has anybody out there had this done to there van or know of anybody that can point me in the right direction????

By the way I have the sleeper in mine and the freight area is only about 8' 11",so when I get somthing with a little weight(1,650 lb.) to it,there's not a lot of room to put some of the weight on the steers.

I'm trying to get a ride that doesn't fell like my front tires are floating and to help take some of the roll out of it,when a big truck passes or a good gust of wind comes along.

I put the Timbren fixed kit on mine. I've been completely satisfied with them. It replaces the stock bumpers and keeps the rear level even with 3000 lbs on. I also have the midway sleeper conversion in mine. The link is below.

Timbren Kits, Air Lift Air Cell, Firestone Work Rite, Super Spring Sumo Springs - TruckSpring.com

Hightech_Hobo · Nov 30, 2010

I also have an issue with weight and was warned by dealer about spring kits "messing with the Electronic stability control" in a sprinter. My spring guy reccomended the Timbren Kit but I have held off thus far. Glad to hear Tembren kit not causing any problems...