Leaf springs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

navysnipe · 10-31-2009, 06:19 AM

I am slowly getting my 70 C20 and 72 K2500 tore down to a point that I can make one good truck. My Dads 70 C20 body is going on my Uncle's 72 K2500 frame and running gear. I am to the point were the frame is almost bare and I just cut the rear leaf springs out and am replacing the spring eye and shackle bushings. That job is a B@&CH, those bushings just laughed at my 12 ton hydraulic press. I finally had to press the centers out and take a sawzall to the outer shell.

The question is when I go to reassemble the rear and the front for that matter do I tighten the bushing bolts while the springs are dangling or do I put weight on them then tighten them. I would imagine that tightening them while they are in the air will sort of preload the rubber and put a twist in them and that doesn't sound right. Also I plan on using POR-15 on the springs anyone have any problems with cracking of the paint after?

Thanks

Navysnipe

JimKshortstep4x4 · 10-31-2009, 08:50 AM

You will want the weight of the truck on the springs before tightening the bolts. You are right about the preload.

I usually burn the rubber out and then cut the shell with an air tool.

I have used POR on springs and so far so good.

Jim

Longhorn Man · 10-31-2009, 04:26 PM

you want the weight on the suspention before tightening anything down. Complete vehicle weight too, not just frame and cab.

navysnipe · 10-31-2009, 06:49 PM

Thanks,

I will put everything together and wait to get everything on it then torque the bolts as one of the last things

Navysnipe

nickp51chevy · 10-31-2009, 07:37 PM

I use to be a snipe. Well sort of EM, I think it still counts.

navysnipe · 11-01-2009, 07:19 AM

EM's are still snipes, they get dirty and nasty with the rest of us. I was an MM for 10 years and then a GS for 10 more years.....now I raise chickens. Much cleaner job

Navysnipe

nickp51chevy · 11-01-2009, 12:49 PM

I was an EM for 5 1/2 years and now I'm unemployed and a full time student.

it's awesome

10-31-2009, 06:19 AM	#1
navysnipe Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sabattus, Maine Posts: 84	Leaf springs I am slowly getting my 70 C20 and 72 K2500 tore down to a point that I can make one good truck. My Dads 70 C20 body is going on my Uncle's 72 K2500 frame and running gear. I am to the point were the frame is almost bare and I just cut the rear leaf springs out and am replacing the spring eye and shackle bushings. That job is a B@&CH, those bushings just laughed at my 12 ton hydraulic press. I finally had to press the centers out and take a sawzall to the outer shell. The question is when I go to reassemble the rear and the front for that matter do I tighten the bushing bolts while the springs are dangling or do I put weight on them then tighten them. I would imagine that tightening them while they are in the air will sort of preload the rubber and put a twist in them and that doesn't sound right. Also I plan on using POR-15 on the springs anyone have any problems with cracking of the paint after? Thanks Navysnipe

10-31-2009, 08:50 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Leaf springs You will want the weight of the truck on the springs before tightening the bolts. You are right about the preload. I usually burn the rubber out and then cut the shell with an air tool. I have used POR on springs and so far so good. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

10-31-2009, 04:26 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Leaf springs you want the weight on the suspention before tightening anything down. Complete vehicle weight too, not just frame and cab.

10-31-2009, 06:49 PM	#4
navysnipe Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sabattus, Maine Posts: 84	Re: Leaf springs Thanks, I will put everything together and wait to get everything on it then torque the bolts as one of the last things Navysnipe

10-31-2009, 07:37 PM	#5
nickp51chevy Registered Chevy Owner Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Snohomish, wa Posts: 1,557	Re: Leaf springs I use to be a snipe. Well sort of EM, I think it still counts. __________________ Love is fleeting, but Chevy trucks are forever!!!! 1970 Chevy CST C10 long box 350/400 2008 Chevy Silverado short box 4x4 Had; 1951 Chevy short box 307/T5 1988 Chevy shot box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C20 long box 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 350/350

11-01-2009, 07:19 AM	#6
navysnipe Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sabattus, Maine Posts: 84	Re: Leaf springs EM's are still snipes, they get dirty and nasty with the rest of us. I was an MM for 10 years and then a GS for 10 more years.....now I raise chickens. Much cleaner job Navysnipe

11-01-2009, 12:49 PM	#7
nickp51chevy Registered Chevy Owner Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Snohomish, wa Posts: 1,557	Re: Leaf springs I was an EM for 5 1/2 years and now I'm unemployed and a full time student. it's awesome __________________ Love is fleeting, but Chevy trucks are forever!!!! 1970 Chevy CST C10 long box 350/400 2008 Chevy Silverado short box 4x4 Had; 1951 Chevy short box 307/T5 1988 Chevy shot box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C20 long box 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 350/350 Last edited by nickp51chevy; 11-01-2009 at 12:50 PM. Reason: +



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