The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Leaf spring question

Thanks in advance for any info and for letting me be apart of the group.

It’s time for me to start putting my 51 3100 that I believe is all stock(??) and I found that the rear springs are off center. Meaning, there’s about a 2 inch difference between the center bolt on and each end. I’ve looked through other threads on here, the assembly manual, and shop manual and can not find anything.

Which way do they go in? Long side to the front or rear?

Cheers!

Welcome to the Stovebolt forums.

IIRC, the long side is to the rear. A clue is the bushing on the rear is threaded, while the one on the front is smooth on the inside. Measuring the figure from the '51 Vehicle Info Kit also shows the front shorter, although that's not definitive.

Since you've just joined us, take a few minutes and post in the Welcome Centre and tell us about your truck (how you got it, etc) and about yourself as well. We also like to see pics of your truck (or your pile of parts )

I'll measure mine tomorrow just to satisfy everyone's curiosity. They've never been off the truck since new.

Thanks Otto. I could do that, but my chassis is still buried in snow.

It makes sense that the long side would be toward the rear because the center of the wheels sits forward of the center of the wheel well on AD trucks.

Thanks, Otto. I’m sure sure I’m picking the white stuff out of the chicken sh*t, but I’d like it to be as close to original as possible. I’ve actually posted the same question on another platform and the end to the front seems to be the longer. I had notes and picture, but misplaced them. Bushings were pressed out and replaced so, an iffy sign-post. I look forward to your findings!

I managed to get to one rear spring this afternoon and measured it. Approximately 29" rear eye to center bolt and ~24" from front eye to center bolt. My springs are replacements that already had the bushings in place, I assume on the right ends. The rear axle is sitting in the right place, so that's another good sign.

I'll go out to the truck now to verify on the vehicle measurement.

Yes. 29" center to center on the rear portion of the spring.

Thanks, gents. Almost install em backwards.

If you'd have put them on back wards you'd have found that the torque tube was too short to reach the transmission. Good thing you got the correct info.