Original Springs Question

[pvienneau]

Guys and gals, how do I know if my original AD 49 springs are OK to recondition? I prefer to use the originals vs. buying new ones for obvious reasons.

THX

Pat

[mknittle]

Depends on how far you want to go on a recondition. If there are no broken or bent leaves they can be re arched if flat and re bushed if the eyes aren't worn from bad bushings.
It would be easier to tell if you can post some pictures

[mr48chev]

I'd have to agree with Mknittlev (hey I got that right first try) 100%. From reworking mine and others in the past you want to pay close attention to the eyes in the springs where the bushings go through and to the areas where the springs rub on the spring above them.

I've seen too many main leaves that guys let go way too far before deciding to rebuild them and the bushing has worn through and the pin has worn into the eye of the main leaf ruining it. I've also had to throw away springs that one leaf has worn into the spring above it so far that you can't dress the marks out and still have enough metal left to have the spring be good. If the springs are basically in good shape but need to be rebushed, cleaned up and maybe rearched have at it.

[_Ogre]

spring don't generally wear out, if they're not broken or bent just re-bush them
truk is on the old stock springs. i pulled them apart, sand blasted them, painted them and
reassembled them with spring liner between the leaves, new center bolts and bushings

[mr48chev]

I should have asked before but does the truck sag any on one of the corners? or do any of the springs look like they have flattened out over the years? A lot of these trucks got worked real hard for a lot of years and the springs may need to be re-arched to get the truck to set right or at least to get it to set level side to side. I had a deputy sheriff ask me why my 48 sagged to the left side a few years ago and he didn't like my answer of "fat driver" even though I was the only one who had driven the truck since 1973 with few exceptions with 80 out of every 100K miles being by myself in the truck.

[pvienneau]

Awesome feedback on this forum. The springs have been removed for a frame up resto. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=581544 I am going to complete the frame soon and next is the springs, so I go straight to the experts here for advice. @ pictures added below. I think I may sandblast and rebuild with your suggestions. THX Pat

[pvienneau]

Pulled the bushings by heating the eye and banging them out with a huge bolt and 5 lb. hammer. The springs have a good arch, nothing broken and leafs look good.

2 of the 4 eyes (Rear) have slight wear in the metal. Should I worry about that or is there something I could do or do I just re-bush them?

Also, can you guys recommend a lubricant to put between the leafs?

Thanks

[focusedontheprize]

Originally Posted by pvienneau

Pulled the bushings by heating the eye and banging them out with a huge bolt and 5 lb. hammer. The springs have a good arch, nothing broken and leafs look good.

2 of the 4 eyes (Rear) have slight wear in the metal. Should I worry about that or is there something I could do or do I just re-bush them?

Also, can you guys recommend a lubricant to put between the leafs?

Thanks

Slight metal wear in the metal? If you see my build thread (in my signature) I had slight metal wear in the eye. Very minimal though. I then put JB Weld on the eyelets in the areas that were worn. Cleaned them up, sandblasted the leafs, re-bushed the eyes and assembled them with spring liner. Perfect and cost effective.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by pvienneau

Pulled the bushings by heating the eye and banging them out with a huge bolt and 5 lb. hammer. The springs have a good arch, nothing broken and leafs look good.

2 of the 4 eyes (Rear) have slight wear in the metal. Should I worry about that or is there something I could do or do I just re-bush them?

Also, can you guys recommend a lubricant to put between the leafs?

Thanks

That one spring looks a bit questionable!

For rebuilding I have removed each spring cleaned the rust and crud from each one and ground the leading edge at a 45* and assembled each one with Never sieze between each spring, and of course new bushings, BUT the eyes were in better shape.

on another note, there are better used springs out there for a bit of work that will give you a better ride for just a little bit of money.................providing you are updating your drive train.

[pvienneau]

Here is another close up.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by pvienneau

Also, can you guys recommend a lubricant to put between the leafs?

Thanks

i used poly leaf liner. i bought a roll, used half of it on my rear springs
have the half roll for sale in the parts section

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=541659

[pvienneau]

OK< spent some time in the 90+ weather cleaning one of the rear leaf springs. Check out pix of the grooves and eye and let me know what you all think? Should I refurb them. The other side is identical.

[mknittle]

I would look for better set. there has to be a few floating around here with all the suspension mods!

[Russell Ashley]

Not exactly what you want to hear, but those need to be replaced.

[gene_champ]

not to hijack this, but i am doing the springs on a 49 myself. do you have to cut the bands or how do you get the springs apart? are new bands available. some of mine are broken or missing. a local guy uses slip pate between the leaves for a lubricant.

[gene_champ]

not to hijack this, but i am doing the springs on a 49 myself. do you have to cut the bands or how do you get the springs apart? are new bands available. some of mine are broken or missing. a local guy uses slip plate between the leaves for a lubricant.

[1project2many]

Also, can you guys recommend a lubricant to put between the leafs?

The leaf liner that Ogre mentioned is good. You can also ask a spring shop for poly pads to install in the ends of the leaves. These install into a hole or divot in the leaf which can be made using a masonry bit, slow drill press, and plenty of lubricating oil.