Code name “Baby”

[GypsyDogs]

Ok- (spoilers: it all worked out well)

So a year ago, I noticed the rear driver side of the van was beginning to sag.. looked under and saw Original leaf springs.. figured, when I get a chance- I would replace them.

Part of our tax refund was earmarked for van repair- so went to my new AZ local shop and got a quote. However- when it came time to to take the van in.. that quote exploded.  Went from $235/ to $900/ spring..  hell to the Nope
Spoke with the guy that works the parts counter- he gave me a printed list of Specific specs.. length, width, pack thickness, core part number.. and told me that was what I would want to order for them to fit.

So- I found the correct part, from an allegedly reputable parts seller.
Ordered a pair.
Waited..  they came as a split shipment.. from two different warehouses, via different carriers (FdEx and UPS)
Oookkk

Made an appointment- loaded these 65# hunks of steel into the van.. 
they said- Sure, we’ll have her done today.
…
A few hours later, they called to tell me they couldn’t do the install !!

Apparently, they cannot press the bushings in, and the spring pack is too thick for the u bolts.
..oh, and that will be $165 in labor

Sigh. (wrestled them back into the shed)

So did some research, and the specs the shop gave me were Not Factory.. and my van uses a peculiar size of u bolt.. not found in the wild.  And Gosh- you are not supposed to reuse u bolts on leaf springs because they can spectacularly fail.  hmmm

So contacted the seller to ask to return the springs because- regardless of their website saying they would Fit.. they do not.
“Sure” they say. Just ship them back and we will credit your account.

Shipping 130# of odd shaped steel is ludicrously expensive.. like $350-400

Sigh again.

So went back to this shop and told them that the specs THEY gave me to use to purchase the springs were wrong- obviously.
Their response-  “We didn’t order the part, so we have no responsibility of warranty.”

Scream…

So I found a specialty shop- they Do Leafsprings.. that is their bread/butter.  We chatted specs and measurements and part numbers…They were hella confident that they could easily make these work, because all the other measurements were perfect.. and they make custom u bolts. They even gave me a quote that was reasonable.

Made an appointment, and once again wrestled the 4’ long 65# chunks of steel into the van.. and this time drove an hour and a half through Phoenix morning traffic to the special shop.

Where they had zero issue making it work, and charged me about a third less than they quoted me.

So now- instead of factory 1800 lb leafs, I have a shiny set of 2300 lb leafs.. 
and Wow, she handles way better now.. 

So yeah, it has been a ‘fun’ and educational month..  lol