Light Duty Suspension Products June 2015

Helper Kit Selection Guide

Questions to ask to determine the proper type of helper kit for the application:

Helper Kit Selection Guide

1. Suspension type; multi-leaf, full taper or coil spring?

Heavy Duty

Standard Duty

Air Lift

Leaf Spring (Full Taper)

✔ (Tapered Extra Leaves)

✔

Leaf Spring (Multi-leaf)

✔

✔

✔

Coil Spring

✔

2. Vehicle loading; heavy, average or light? 3. How frequently will the vehicle be used for this purpose? 4. Who will be installing? 5. What is the general condition of the vehicle’s main spring? 6. What model year?

Heavy Duty

Standard Duty

Air Lift

Anti-Sway Bar

2. Heavy (2000-5000 lbs.)

SR SR SR

NR SR

R (Load Lifter 5000) SR

Average (up to 2500 lbs.) Light (up to 1000 lbs.)

R (Air Lift RD)

R

R

R (Air Lift 1000)

SR SR

3. Always (Motorhomes, Trucks w/service body) R

R (Constant Rate) R SR (Variable Rate) R

Often (Commercial Pickups and Vans)

SR

R

Sometimes (Vehicles used for trailering, etc.) SR

R (Variable Rate)

SR

SR

4. Spring Mechanic

SR NR SR

R

R R R R

R R

Do-It-Yourselfer

SR

5. Good

R R

SR SR

Fair Poor

R

Dayton Parts recommends replacement of main springs prior to installation of helper springs on these trucks - See Catalog 217.

6. Prior to 1985

NR

SR

R R

SR

1985 and After

R

R

R

SR - Strongly Recommended, R - Recommended, NR - Not Recommended

Note:

Brake Proportioning Valve/Load Sensing Devices. The light truck manufacturers have done a fine job of improving the safety system on their vehicles. One of these improvements that has a direct effect on your spring business is the load sensitive brake proportioning valve. With as much as 85% of the braking done by the front brakes, it is essential that the correct amount of pressure be applied to the rear wheels to (1) provide for maximum total braking and (2) prevent rear wheel lockup. The height sensing valve varies the amount of pressure to the rear wheels and is triggered by the amount of weight on the rear of the vehicle.

When you install any helper spring, you could affect the operation of the braking system. We recommend that you contact your local OEM Service Manager and have the height sensing valve adjusted or changed when installing helper springs.

1