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#39069 01/09/2004 4:49 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 141 Member | | Member Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 141 | I am about ready to reassemble my rear leaf springs. Should I spread some wheel bearing grease or similar between each of the leaves or just leave them dry (they are painted, of course)? How did they come from the factory?
I considered using some of that polyliner, but have decided against it.
Also, there are a couple of hard rubber bushings that were on the spring attachment bracket on the axle. Anyone know a source for new ones, or do I just need to fabricate a couple out of an ole tire? | | |
#39070 01/10/2004 2:39 AM | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 85 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 85 | Hey Shoeless, I used that polyliner on my 59 1/2 ton, worked Great. Still rides hard, but not as hard as it did. I would have to say it was a 80% improvement over stock. Course, the new shackles and bushings had to help.
About 4 years ago I took a long (60) mile jaunt into the desert to camp with freinds. Road was rough and one of my leaves cracked a few days later. I replaced both of my front springs with brand new ones from EATON, and I specified stock height and number of leaves. I did have them upgrade to "rod-ride" springs which uses the teflon buttons to reduce friction. I can honestly say that the new springs with teflon buttons rode no better than the 40 year old springs with polyliner.
My 5 cents.
Curly | | |
#39071 01/10/2004 3:20 AM | Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 587 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 587 | I read somewhere not to use grease between the leaves, it will give too much lubrication and will cause a lot of bouncing (spring movement). As for the bushings, are you talking about the rubber bushing INSIDE the spring mount that connects to the axle, or the rubber disks on each side of the spring mount? I believe the former can be replaced by Steele Rubber, and the latter I got from Heavy Chevy I believe it was. | | |
#39072 01/10/2004 4:12 AM | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 | Use of grease between the leaves is not recommended. It will attract dirt and sand, leading to accelerated wear. Also, if you can find them, get polyurethane bushings. The don't go rotten like rubber.
Fred
52 3600
69 C-10
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#39073 01/10/2004 4:56 AM | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,191 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,191 | My '37 manual recommends grease between the leafs and then wrap the whole mess in burlap then install a sheet metal cover. This is what the cars had to soften the ride. I bought new front springs this summer for my '37. I ran them about three weeks before removing them to grease between the leafs. The ride was so choppy before you couldn't stay in the seat. After greasing them they rode 100% better. I used a real heavy silicone grease. Joe | | |
#39074 01/10/2004 6:50 PM | | Anonymous Unregistered | | Anonymous Unregistered | Most of the totally rotted out springs I have seen are the ones that were greased and wrapped in burlap and tin. Trapped moisture inside the spring pack and accelerated rusting.
Some years had no rubber in the shackle kits (AD trucks for instance) others had rubber bushings (my '35 has rubber)
Any way you can lube the springs without introducing something that will attract dirt or hold moisture is fine. Pretty much limited to the poly or teflon strips or dry lubes per Ralphy. | | |
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