Leaf Spring Plate Woes - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BigRonsBigWheels · 04-07-2008, 06:56 AM

I just recently joined the board. I bought my 1972 3/4 Ton 4x4 Truck last year. I am planning some restoration as well as modifying for off road. I found this site, lots of good stuff here, and I have a question.

I have a broken leaf spring plate on the rear axle. Should I replace it or change things with a different setup? It has 4" lifted springs but no blocks. If I just replace it where can I get the part? If I change the setup, should I weld up some aftermarket equipment and which ones?

I have a pic of the broken one.

89 crew · 04-07-2008, 07:32 AM

I would replace with factory. Any junk yard will have them. it is just a matter of finding a set that hasn't been abused. I believe crystallization is your problem. When you replace it, I would recommend at least doing both sides of the same axle.

duallyjams · 04-07-2008, 01:14 PM

I would also do a close inspection on the u bolts as well.

**special-K** · 04-07-2008, 04:07 PM

I had a broken one and I just found another.You won`t find one new unless it`s N.O.S.The Dana60(GMC) is smaller than the Corporate HO52(Chevy).But it`ll still work.I found a Dana60 one and just widened the radius a bit and it fit up just right.I imagine the truck has new u-bolts from the springs being replaced,right?My truck had busted leafs and a pretty haggered suspension.It sounds lke yours is about the smae.Makes me wonger if the previous owner saw that and just put it together that way.I guess it could have happened after the lift.But,I doubt it.With a piece of leaf missing that plate gets hammered costantly,I think that`s what fatigued your plate.

BigRonsBigWheels · 04-07-2008, 05:21 PM

Thanks for the replys. I am leaning toward replacing both sides now with stock. I should be okay with the rest of it, it seems okay. If you know of a yard specializing in old truck parts I would appreciate you pointing me in the right direction.

BLAZERMAN · 04-07-2008, 07:22 PM

I would go with 73 to 87 spring plates and u bolts up, these plates can still be bought new or from any salvage yard and they will not break!

OLDCHEV4X4 · 04-08-2008, 02:20 PM

Plus the 73-87 style plates are on top of the springs, so it gives you more ground clearance. You need the u bolts that have the same radius as your axle tube.
I've come across several of these that were broken. I always convert to the 73 -87 style.

04-07-2008, 06:56 AM	#1
BigRonsBigWheels Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Alger, Ohio Posts: 2	Leaf Spring Plate Woes I just recently joined the board. I bought my 1972 3/4 Ton 4x4 Truck last year. I am planning some restoration as well as modifying for off road. I found this site, lots of good stuff here, and I have a question. I have a broken leaf spring plate on the rear axle. Should I replace it or change things with a different setup? It has 4" lifted springs but no blocks. If I just replace it where can I get the part? If I change the setup, should I weld up some aftermarket equipment and which ones? I have a pic of the broken one. Attached Images

04-07-2008, 07:32 AM	#2
89 crew Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 865	Re: Leaf Spring Plate Woes I would replace with factory. Any junk yard will have them. it is just a matter of finding a set that hasn't been abused. I believe crystallization is your problem. When you replace it, I would recommend at least doing both sides of the same axle.

04-07-2008, 01:14 PM	#3
duallyjams Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Deale Md Posts: 4,663	Re: Leaf Spring Plate Woes I would also do a close inspection on the u bolts as well. __________________ James 63 GMC V6 4speed carryall 65 chevy swb bbw V8 auto 68 K20 327/4 speed, buddy buckets 2002 GMC CC Dually Duramax 64 GMC lwb 3/4 V6 4speed SOLD 66 GMC swb bbw buddy buckets SOLD IG duallyjams The only thing that stays the same is constant change!

04-07-2008, 04:07 PM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Leaf Spring Plate Woes I had a broken one and I just found another.You won`t find one new unless it`s N.O.S.The Dana60(GMC) is smaller than the Corporate HO52(Chevy).But it`ll still work.I found a Dana60 one and just widened the radius a bit and it fit up just right.I imagine the truck has new u-bolts from the springs being replaced,right?My truck had busted leafs and a pretty haggered suspension.It sounds lke yours is about the smae.Makes me wonger if the previous owner saw that and just put it together that way.I guess it could have happened after the lift.But,I doubt it.With a piece of leaf missing that plate gets hammered costantly,I think that`s what fatigued your plate. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

04-07-2008, 05:21 PM	#5
BigRonsBigWheels Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Alger, Ohio Posts: 2	Re: Leaf Spring Plate Woes Thanks for the replys. I am leaning toward replacing both sides now with stock. I should be okay with the rest of it, it seems okay. If you know of a yard specializing in old truck parts I would appreciate you pointing me in the right direction.

04-07-2008, 07:22 PM	#6
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,826	Re: Leaf Spring Plate Woes I would go with 73 to 87 spring plates and u bolts up, these plates can still be bought new or from any salvage yard and they will not break! __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

04-08-2008, 02:20 PM	#7
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	Re: Leaf Spring Plate Woes Plus the 73-87 style plates are on top of the springs, so it gives you more ground clearance. You need the u bolts that have the same radius as your axle tube. I've come across several of these that were broken. I always convert to the 73 -87 style. __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania



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