The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Restoring Leaf springs

Hey Guys, what should I do with my 1940 Leaf Springs. None are broken. Should I just clean them up and paint, have them re-arced first or should they be replaced. I would like to just clean and paint but dont want to redo after the truck is all back together. G. Lee

If none are broken and you were happy with the way the truck looked, height wise, go ahead and reuse them. You need to take them apart and clean all the rust and junk out of them. You can buy new center bolts at NAPA or your local trailer shop. Check each leaf for cracks and wear. Look at the bottom of each one were the one below it rubs. Make sure there is no step worn in to it. Mine were worn some so I ground the sharp edge off each step and rounded the edges of each leaf.

I painted mine before putting them together. Each leaf top and bottom. I used a good quality spray can paint, nothing to fancy.

I also added some poly-line between each leaf. It is a teflon strip that lets each leaf slide with out binding.
Yogi\'s Search for Poly Liner. This was the best thing I did to the truck. You won't believe how quiet and smooth it will be. I used three rolls, one for the two fronts, and one for each rear. I removed three leafs from each front, so I might take a roll per spring with a full pack.

Joe

Joe H, You say you removed 3 leafs per spring, do you mean you removed them permanently and if so how does it ride? Also thanks for the reply. G. Lee

With out giving you a ride, my idea of a good ride and yours might be different. But, to me it rides really well for a leaf spring, short wheel base truck! I would compare it to a Jeep, relly good ride on a smooth road, pretty smooth on a rough road, but bouncy on a uneven road. There is no more Bucking horse, hold on tight, wondering where it might go after the big bump!

I had replaced the front springs with brand new ones. They were so stiff the front end wouldn't bounce or move at all. I tried grease between each leaf which helped a little. I removed the three lower leafs which helped some more. Then I went with the Poly-ride inserts, which helped the most. To keep the factory ride height, I added a spacer where the leafs were removed. I also have modern gas shocks on front and rear. I have heard the Poly-ride can make the springs to springing for the old style oil filled shocks. I ground the sharp edges off each leaf to aid in movement between them. The new ones were all most knife edged!

My new springs came with 9 leafs, the ones on the truck were 8, so removing one more was not that big of change. The top main leaf, longest one, is the only one really holding the axle in place, the others are only supporting it. By removing the shortest ones, it will let the longer ones move a bit more.

I'am happy and most of all the Wife is happy. Joe

This is more of a drivetrain question so follow up in the engine and driveline shop