The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop New Front Springs??

This is probably a pretty basic question. How do you know if the springs need to be replaced> I am going to be doing the front end this winter and while I have everything apart...

On my '37, the springs were pretty worn out from hard use. I could tell by looking at the bottom side of each leaf. The one below had dug into the one above and created a step. Over time it became deep enough to cause them not to move the way they should and ride rough. Spend a little time and take yours apart to look each leaf over. The new center bolts are cheap at the local trailer shop or spring shop.

I bought new springs this summer. I had them back out two weeks later because of the stiff ride. I removed the two lower leafs and applied grease between the others. The ride was 100% improved. Joe

I would like to know this also. I wonder if there is a measured tolerence. Like a certain ride hieght?

I had a broken rear main leaf, and the other side had a bend between the shackle and second leaf. The unbroken side had notches in it from the second leaf digging into it. I found a pair of tonner rear springs in a junkyard that were only slightly notched and had a good curve to them. I disassembled the packs (which is a good idea if you find any rust in the centerbolt), and ground each leaf smooth with an wire cup brush on an anglegrinder. Eventually I got all the rust, burrs, and notches smoothed and I beveled the ends of the leaves (a bit more than they already were). Then each leaf got a bath in WD-40 to keep the rust off and a new centerbolt from Tacoma Screw was used to hold them together.

If your truck has been overloaded, it will have bent/flattened springs. Replace them. If it's just old and the notches aren't deep, you should be able to grind them smooth and reinstall. Remember to lube the springpacks with the rest of the chassis and they can last forever.

"they can last forever."
It's easy to tell on my truck. One side sits higher than the other.

Remember also to check the eye bolt holes in the main leaf. If the hole is worn past the bushing into the leaf itself, it is time for new springs..

Your front springs should have a good arch to them, sitting under load. My springs were pretty near flat sitting under load and the shackles were almost at full travel. Obviously I had to replace them.

I'm planning to also address my front leaf springs and noticed you comment TRUCKERNIX about the front underload. Mine are current perfectly flat underload, thus I assume it's time to replace? I have another set that came out of a '53 which I might try installing to see if they still have any arc left in them. Hmmmm....

Yeah , my fronts are flat too ,, but the spring shop says thats right ,, something to do with the steering geometry and bumps and stuff ,, and it steering straight ,, which it does ,, so they left it all alone ,, check out the ride height in the pic in the gallery .

If you look at the way springs work, they flex and the arc starts to straighten out under greater force. When this happens, they lengthen eye to eye. If the springs are flat at rest, and the shackles are at full travel, the spring would have to bend backwards or upward and I don't think that they are designed for that. Certainly, the AD trucks are not designed that way.

Dusty, you do good work! That bed and the whole truck look great.
My grandfather & great-grandfather were carriage & wagon builders and wheelwrights. They continued their trade with the advent of the automobile, building truck cabs & bodies. I think they would have highly approved of that bed!
Post a picture of the truck when you get the canopy up.

Thanks for the info about evaluating the springs.
As I was looking at them today I have another basic question. As I do the from end with the possibility of removing the axle , springs, etc. Where do I put jack stands or blocks to support the truck?

I put jackstands under the framerails and then a floorjack under the front axle. That way you can raise and lower it to take the pressure off the springs when needed.

TonyM. Thanks for the reply. It seems that the only available spot to put the jack stands are quite away back from the front end of the truck. I think they would have to be behind the leaf springs. Is this too far back?

Tony M,
Where under the frame rails? Back behind the front wheels in front of the cab? I'm looking at this issue right now and see that if you're removing the springs, there is a very limited number of places that the stands can be located without creating a interference. Too far back and you approach potential pivoting problems.

Before you who have 'flat springs' go ahead and replace...don't. I did with brand new and they're still flat. I agree with Dusty and the shop that told him "...that's the way it's supposed to be."

The '37 Engineering Manual talks about a flat spring under compression and the benefits they profide to the steering and ride. Don't change them if the are flat. Joe