| pfrancis | -- 05-12-2022 @ 12:15 PM |
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Hello Ford Aficionados, This is a two part question. The bottom leaf on my 35 Ford front spring just broke. I have found a used spring that fits, but it has only eleven leaves not the standard twelve. Has anyone seen or had a problem with using an eleven leaf used front spring with an unknown history? Question #2: I plan on using a new shackle kit using rubber bushings instead of the original design shackles that were pressed into the spring eyes. I have no special tools for installing/removing the original shackle studs/bolts that were pressed into place. What do you think of using the easier to work with rubber bushing shackle kit? Thanks, pfrancis
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| Robert/Texas | -- 05-12-2022 @ 12:52 PM |
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I replaced the front spring on my ’34 roadster two weeks ago. Like yours, the main leaf had broken. It was a nasty job. I thought about just replacing that leaf but found a NOS spring assembly from Southside Obsolete in Minnesota. The phone number is 507-332-6789. We used the rubber bushings as was suggested by the owner of this business. You will need a spring spreader to do this job and a lot of cuss words. The price was fair but freight cost almost what I paid for it. I pounded the old bushings out with my air hammer. This message was edited by Robert/Texas on 5-12-22 @ 12:54 PM
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| 51504bat | -- 05-12-2022 @ 3:39 PM |
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Eaton Spring lists them in 11, 12, 13 leafs. https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/ ______________ No signature
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| 42wagon | -- 05-13-2022 @ 3:18 AM |
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I got a rear spring for my 42 wagon from Eaton Spring several years ago. Supposedly they have the specifications to remake almost any spring. You definitely will need a spring spreader to remove and install your spring. I drilled out the shackle bushings. I guess an air hammer would work as well. But they are probably frozen in place after all these years. I replaced them with the rubber bushings.
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| TomO | -- 05-13-2022 @ 9:31 AM |
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To answer you question about the change from 12 leave to 11 leaves, It will have some effect on the ride and will require a new lower spring clamp to take up the space used by the smaller leaf count. I suggest that you look for a new spring. Used springs are removed for a reason. Besides Southside, there are other vendors that may have a spring. Dennis Carpenter has qty 5 -022A-5310-B in stock according to https://www.rearcounter.com/022A-5310-B-parts974586.html This is a service replacement according to the Green Book. I prefer the original type of shackle bolt, because I feel that they last longer and it is a lousy job that I don't want to do. Most shops that do truck springs will be glad to replace the spring and new shackle bolts for you. They have the correct equipment to do the job and you will not have to find a spring spreader, learn how to use it safely and then struggle under the car to istall the shackle bolts and spring. If you want the experience, are in good physical shape, have a few days to work on the car and are very handy, you can do the job yourself. I would have the new shackle bolts pressed into the spring before it is installed in the car. Just take the spring and shackle bolts to a machine shop that has an arbor press and have them press it in by putting force on the outer sh*ll. To replace the ones in the axle, I push out the center, make some hacksaw cuts on the inside of the sh*ll, then use a muffler chisel to remove the sh*ll. To press the new ones in I use a large C-Clamp and a deep socket. Chill the shackle bolt i n the freezer over night and clean any burrs on the axle hole using a hone. When the hole is clean and you have all of the tools ready, bring one bolt out and press it in while it is still frozen. When all of the bolts are in place, you can remove the old spring from the U-bolts and install the new spring. Good luck which ever way you do it. BE SAFE Tom
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| 37RAGTOPMAN | -- 05-13-2022 @ 11:12 AM |
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I installed a front spring from SOUTHSIDE, these are not repros, they are new old stock made by FORD, would want ANYTHING LESS ? I looked at aftermarket spring, not any cheaper, they were more money and did not have good feedbacks on how they fit, my 2 cents 37 Ragtopman, Maine NOT the easiest job, have a spring spreader . bushing driver I used NOS steel SHACKLES, these need fitting, and had my Son in Law helping,
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| pfrancis | -- 05-14-2022 @ 8:53 PM |
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Thanks for all the good inputs. The hardest part of this job seems to be getting the pressed in bushings out of the spring "perch" or axel. I can not push or drive them out as there is not enough space behind them for that. It looks like it has to be pulled which requires a special tool. One is frozen/seized in place, but I think I can loosen it with a torch. I do not have access to a spring spreader but have had good luck (so far) by using a hydraulic floor jack under each end of the spring at the eyes and jacking each end simultaneously until the shackles line up. I know that working with springs can be dangerous and am wondering if those with more experience think this is a risky method.
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| TomO | -- 05-15-2022 @ 9:06 AM |
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Using jacks to remove the shackles is very dangerous in my opinion. The jack can slip out and allow the spring to damage the car or you once the shackle is removed. Tom
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