The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop When to replace leaf springs?

I'm doing a rebuild on my '46 1/2 ton and was wondering if i should buy new leaf springs. They are over 60 years old. When do they reach a point where they need to be replaced? The truck has had a lot of miles. Cecil.........

If the holes in the ends are not wallered out, I would have them re-arched.

I would re-arch them as well and sand all the sharp edges round and line them with teflon. Give em a nice coat of paint and check out the shackles. Chance are the grease is soild in the fittings and they need to be cleaned and maybe replaced.

Don't forget to post some pix. Man, I love looking at the pix on here...lol

Dave

As Cletis said, check the ends. Previous owners seem, as a lot, to have avoided preventative maintenance, which involved greasing those up every once in awhile. I had to replace all of my springs because those round holes were oval.

Thanks guys, i will check the ends. But if they look like they need replaceing, i would rather do that then re-arch. I've re-arched another set on a different truck and the cost was almost the same. Thanks for all your input. Cecil........

Cecil,

If the cost is that close I would just buy em new. I still would line them with teflon though. POSI probably has them new as well with buttons on the end of the spring leaves that act as teflon, instead of lining them yourself. Just a thought.

Dave

If the cost is was nearly the same, I'd say you used the wrong spring shop.