The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline is this rear spring setup on a 3100 standard?

I am switching in a new axle and noticed that the current setup is different from what I see in the factory build manual. It has a second spring above and the way in which the main/lower spring is attached to the axle looks quite different to what I see in the manual.

Oh, and this is on a '51 3100.

Was this some kind of home built 'upgrade', a Chevrolet option or ?????

Thanks,

It is "home-built 'upgrade' . . ".

Overload springs. Someone was planning on hauling some weight.🛠

Non-GM overload springs (JC Whitney?)?

Thanks guys, I will pull them off and replace with regular U bolts etc.

Overload springs have there own U bolts.
They are separate from the original spring seat U bolts, that you have.

Thanks jorb, I will be heading out there this morning to try to sort it all out.

The first bolt I tried simply sheared off so they have been soaking overnight. That and a possible application of heat if needed should do the trick.

This may help illustrate what the final assembly should look like.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/parts/1929_54/434.htm

The original rear spring setup on a 1951 3100 1/2 ton should look like the attached photos.
The axle housing is connect to the spring seat with a rubber bushing inside.
The spring seat is U-bolted to the leaf spring.
Torque tube connection at rear of transmission prevents axle from rotating.

There is one bolt thru the stack of leafs and it is off set to the front.
The spring seat sits on top of the one bolt.
The leafs are centered under the spring seat.
Axle is centered in wheel well or fender.


Read Rear Spring Seat

The 2nd picture shows the spring seat and its u-bolts and the overload spring's u-bolts on the axle housing.
There is a stack of 10 leafs which is a 1954 1/2 ton Heavy Duty Rear Spring RPO 254E, regular equipment came with a 8 leaf stack.

xfiles