46 1/2 ton pick up. The helper spring assembly I have is the first pic. Unknown is second pic. I’m guessing it might be heavier, 3/4 ton, or later than 46. I’m having no luck locating a set of single spring pack axle collars and have the idea that I could use just the bottom section without the helper spring assembly. Looking for a single spring set up as I’m installing lowering blocks. Appreciate the help.
"it's only old if you can't find a use for it; otherwise it's cool and i'll use it."
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
Have you had it apart? Those are overload springs on top, they could be factory, but likely aftermarket, there's been a few discussions about overloads on here lately, but it's unlikely they changed the bottom factory spring holders. Pull the u-bolts loose and see how much comes apart, any trailer shop or spring shop will have new u-bolts. I will bet the long u-bolts were changed and the upper overloads were added on top of the factory collars.
I have it part and somewhat clean. Can not find any part numbers on the top of the collar cap to cross reference and see if in fact they are the single spring pack collars. i will be cleaning them more thoroughly this weekend. Does anyone have a picture of a set of springs, without the helpers installed on the single spring pack collars. Looking at the ones that I have, just eyeballing them, it doesn't look like there is enough of a seat area for the u-bolts to sit and bite down on.
Would still like to ID the other set of spring collars.
Last edited by bigedpa; 02/11/202611:04 PM.
"it's only old if you can't find a use for it; otherwise it's cool and i'll use it."
bigedpa - after doing a bit of research and snagging a screen grab of one of your other pics in your Truck Parts Wanted ad, I think you may have what you need with the existing upper and lower axle collar mounts, less the removed helper spring and brackets and associated U-bolts.
In looking in a 1929-46 Chevy Master Parts Book, the diagram for the rear axle spring setup shows it without the aux spring pack pieces, with the U-bolts mounted across the springs instead of parallel to them as seen with the helper spring packs.
Looking at the U-bolts spec'd for your '46 (same as the 1941-42 AK/BK 1/2 tons) and considering eliminating the aux spring packs, you will need new U-bolts to match the specs given for GM# 602509. Those will need to be installed as shown in the marked up screen grab to secure your axle/housing brackets to the springs. However, you will have to allow for longer U-bolt length when adding lowering blocks, so be sure to add length to the legs of those U-bolts.
Hope this is helpful.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Agree with Dan. When I ordered U-bolts I got the narrow ones that go over the springs and mounted on the front and back of the axle collar. The parts asked me if I had overload springs and then sent me the correct ones that mount on the sides with bigger bends.
Last edited by UtahYork; 02/13/20261:00 AM.
~ John in Utah 1946 1/2Ton w/4-speed manual transmission w/1960 235 engine Here We Go Follow in his DITY Bay
- If you think about it, it has been one year ago today!
Appreciate all the info. Dan, I had not seen those images and info before,(wish I had) and had not considered using the u bolts in that manner. So now for your opinions. A pic from the internet of a 46 that was sold, showing the rear collars mounted with the wider, 3 1/6" u bolts that straddle the axle. The other 2 pics are of the top half of my collar with a new u bolt, 2", placed on it as it was mention by Dan. Ironically, the old u bolts from my original set up with the helper springs are the same bolts as the new one in the pic below, 2" x 11". These are the correct length for the lowering block installation. Which mounting application would you use given that all the hardware is now in my possession?
"it's only old if you can't find a use for it; otherwise it's cool and i'll use it."
Honestly, IMHO I would use the 2"x11" U-bolts mounted across the springs (as shown on your upper bracket cap) instead of the other parallel U-bolts shown in the first picture. The first picture U-bolts don't appear to be completely vertical, nor do they appear to be kept from moving (possibly splaying out across the top axle bracket) as there are no positive retention grooves to help keep them in place like you have with the narrow U-bolts mounted parallel to the axle tubes.
The axle mounting in the first picture looks unsafe IMO, subject to either allowing the axle to shift on the springs side to side, or if tightened too much to try and keep them in place, may hinder axle rotation in the collars like they were designed for.
Others will probably chime in with their thoughts.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
