I was changing out the shocks on my truck today. I noticed on the rear suspension there is a semi-hard rubber "bag" mounted right above the axle on each side, bottom side of frame rail. It looks to me like an OEM leaf-spring pad for heavy loads. Is this correct?
Is there any other application for this item?
I have noticed that while driving without loads, at highway speed, if I come across an uneven surface (like bridge expansion joints, or the terrible highway surface on I-29 from Missouri-Iowa state line north to Omaha) if the leaf hits that pad it recoils like mad. Is there any harm in taking this silly thing off if I don't pull extremely heavy loads? Are there risks involved if I do take it off?
Dallas
__________________ 2006 Chevy 2500 HD LBZ RCLB 4x4 K&N CAI, Stanadyne Performance, Monroe Reflex (a less expensive version of the Rancho 9000), Mobil 1 Full-Syn 5w-40 (9-06-08) Window Tint and Deflectors
iPod blasting anything from Metallica and Led Zep to Jazz Rule #1: No Country/Western or Rap allowed Rule #2: No Smoking Cigarettes in My Truck
There is a rubber bumper there, not a bag, unless someone has added an Air Spring kit. If you’re running empty, there’s no way the rubber bumper is striking the axle on uneven terrain, much less on the highway. Even if you had 1k lbs in the back, the bumper wouldn’t be striking the axle. Any recoil you’re feeling is from the stiff springs.
Maybe you could post a picture of what you have.
__________________ 2005 Chev Duramax/Allison 3500LS DRW Crew Cab
CAI / LMM intake OH kit, Sulastic springs, Bilsteins,
B&W 30K-Turnover GN, Putnam XDR 15K, Ride-Rite Air Springs, A/T Revos.
Pulling 10 tons daily.
2006 Chev 6.0L/4L80e 3500WT DRW Ex-Cab
9 'Flat/GN, Ride-Rite Air Springs, A/T Revos.
Pulling 6 tons daily.
"The difference between liberals and cannibals, is that cannibals eat only their enemies." -Lyndon B.Johnson 100th
Bumper, okay. I was trying to think of the appropriate word, thank you. Here is the picture. I know for sure it is not an airbag, it isn't even attached to the leaf/axle. Although it does only have about 1/2 space between leaf and itself.
__________________ 2006 Chevy 2500 HD LBZ RCLB 4x4 K&N CAI, Stanadyne Performance, Monroe Reflex (a less expensive version of the Rancho 9000), Mobil 1 Full-Syn 5w-40 (9-06-08) Window Tint and Deflectors
iPod blasting anything from Metallica and Led Zep to Jazz Rule #1: No Country/Western or Rap allowed Rule #2: No Smoking Cigarettes in My Truck
Those arent factory stops, yeah you can remove those if there not needed, my guess is they are some kind of overload "spring"! The factory stops are only about 2" long and are about 3x3 square?
__________________ Caleb
05 D/ZF Reg. Cab
PPE GT 4094r, ATS CP3X2, Best ET-12.53@ 109MPH 5/08
Stock Turbo, ATS CP3X2, Best ET -12.91@ 106MPH 10/08
Under the knife to attach a second turbo 04.5 D/A CC/SB- SCIV w ATS 5star converter,Mike L cooler
Stock Turbo Best ET 13.53 @ 103Mph @ 7300lbs
Waiting install of GT4094R
Not airbags, those are Air Springs, like these on mine. The OEM bumper is removed, and these bolt into the existing holes in the frame where the bumpers use to be.
You didn't see any airlines running to these when you were under it?
On edit: those don't look like timbrens either.
__________________ 2005 Chev Duramax/Allison 3500LS DRW Crew Cab
CAI / LMM intake OH kit, Sulastic springs, Bilsteins,
B&W 30K-Turnover GN, Putnam XDR 15K, Ride-Rite Air Springs, A/T Revos.
Pulling 10 tons daily.
2006 Chev 6.0L/4L80e 3500WT DRW Ex-Cab
9 'Flat/GN, Ride-Rite Air Springs, A/T Revos.
Pulling 6 tons daily.
"The difference between liberals and cannibals, is that cannibals eat only their enemies." -Lyndon B.Johnson 100th
Last edited by Hook'em_Horns! : 08-29-2008 at 03:17 PM.
Not airbags, those are Air Springs, like these on mine. The OEM bumper is removed, and these bolt into the existing holes in the frame where the bumpers use to be.
You didn't see any airlines running to these when you were under it?
On edit: those don't look like timbrens either.
No, not at all. Look closely between the two pictures and you will see that on the bottom side of mine, it is not attached to the axle with any type of u-bolts or nothing. It is free, apart from the axle. Hell, the rubber is even pretty hard, unlike a bagged system. I have been around dozens of bags, this resembles nothing like it, except that it is deceiving by its looks.
IMO it is an "overload" helper type of spring.
__________________ 2006 Chevy 2500 HD LBZ RCLB 4x4 K&N CAI, Stanadyne Performance, Monroe Reflex (a less expensive version of the Rancho 9000), Mobil 1 Full-Syn 5w-40 (9-06-08) Window Tint and Deflectors
iPod blasting anything from Metallica and Led Zep to Jazz Rule #1: No Country/Western or Rap allowed Rule #2: No Smoking Cigarettes in My Truck
Those arent factory stops, yeah you can remove those if there not needed, my guess is they are some kind of overload "spring"! The factory stops are only about 2" long and are about 3x3 square?
Sorry there, I took your posted words in my last reply. It was my contention from the beginning that they were a "helper" or overload. However, i didn't know if they were OEM or an aftermarket add-on.
If they are not OEM, I am going to take them off. This thing rides like a 70s model Ram.
__________________ 2006 Chevy 2500 HD LBZ RCLB 4x4 K&N CAI, Stanadyne Performance, Monroe Reflex (a less expensive version of the Rancho 9000), Mobil 1 Full-Syn 5w-40 (9-06-08) Window Tint and Deflectors
iPod blasting anything from Metallica and Led Zep to Jazz Rule #1: No Country/Western or Rap allowed Rule #2: No Smoking Cigarettes in My Truck
Sorry there, I took your posted words in my last reply. It was my contention from the beginning that they were a "helper" or overload. However, i didn't know if they were OEM or an aftermarket add-on.
If they are not OEM, I am going to take them off. This thing rides like a 70s model Ram.
That's funny. After removal, if you want to smooth it out even more, check into these.
I have had the truck for about 2 months now. My first DMax. Family has had other models and such, and I drove 6.2 backk in high school.
Dallas
__________________ 2006 Chevy 2500 HD LBZ RCLB 4x4 K&N CAI, Stanadyne Performance, Monroe Reflex (a less expensive version of the Rancho 9000), Mobil 1 Full-Syn 5w-40 (9-06-08) Window Tint and Deflectors
iPod blasting anything from Metallica and Led Zep to Jazz Rule #1: No Country/Western or Rap allowed Rule #2: No Smoking Cigarettes in My Truck
AutoForums.com is the premier network of enthusiast-owned
enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
We operate more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share
experiences and opinions as a community.
from Missouri-Iowa state line north to Omaha) if the leaf hits that pad it recoils like mad. Is there any harm in taking this silly thing off if I don't pull extremely heavy loads? Are there risks involved if I do take it off?
2005 Chev Duramax/Allison 3500LS DRW Crew Cab 
2006 Chev 6.0L/4L80e 3500WT DRW Ex-Cab 
100th 
Linear Mode
