The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Help - 1959 3100 Front Leafs Mounted Backwards?

I'm starting to put my daughter's 1959 3100 back together and all of the pictures I took before disassembly show that the front leaf springs are mounted with the 2 leaf spring rebound clips forward of the axle and the single rebound clip aft of the axle. The assembly manual shows just the opposite. Swapping the ends of the leaf springs makes about a 1" difference in axle position (the assembly manual pic would move the axle aft 1 inch). What are the ramifications of this? Has anyone ever run into this?

Thanks,
Chuck

Chuck, since the eye bushings are threaded in the front of the front springs and smooth in the rear, that should help you decide where they go unless...the bushings were changed during your restoration or a previous owner changed them. I have an original set of springs from my 57 that I will check for the clip orientation once I get out to the shop later, but there's only one way to install the springs if the bushings are installed correctly.

Larry

Thanks for the reply- I changed the bushings myself to match the pictures I had pre-disassembly.......

I haven't gotten out to the shop so it will be tomorrow morning. Are your photos digital or film? If film, could they have been printed reversed? I will verify with my actual springs, but I think the manual shows the correct orientation of the clips.

digital photos

Hi Chuck. My stock springs have two clips in front of the axle. The restoration packet that I have shows the same so I think that pic in the assembly manual is just a generic drawing. I hope this helps.

Larry

Thanks Larry- it sure does. Considering the pain involved with a re-do, I had already installed the axle on the springs the way they were in my pics. Your confirmation takes a load off of my mind- I really appreciate it!

Chuck

Glad to help. If you don't have the restoration packet, you can look at it online or even download it there. They will also mail you a hard copy. There's a link somewhere on this forum or you can google Chevrolet restoration packet. It has helped me several times with specifications that I couldn't find anywhere else.

Larry

The information about the GM Heritage Center is in this Tech Tip link. This Tech Tip was updated in March 2014 and I know from having checked in at the HC several times since then, there is even more stuff. As we mentioned in the tip, we think GM realized that old restorers were not going away. Or maybe like so many it took them awhile to get around to it.

There is a lot to find on that site.

Peg

Peggy- what a great site! Thanks for the tip. BTW - left the springs the way I found 'em and mounted the axle- I'll let you know how it turns out!