The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk leaf spring assembly

I've ordered everything I needed for my leaf springs to reassemble after sandblasting and paint. Wanted to make sure I was able to get parts first before I took everything apart. Luckily, hardware was available. Parts ordered...U-bolts with deep nuts and washers(front and rear), front leaf spring eye bolts and shackles with bushings for both, all neccesary leaf spring rebound clips(front and rear). The one thing I didn't get yet was the center bolts. Wanted to take them apart first so I have a measurement. Question is...Is there anything special about the center bolts? Could I just get them at a hardware store?

Thanks...PS(the shackle kits for the front leaf springs are expensive lil buggers. $42.00 each!)

On my 1 Ton, the bolt head serves to locate the spring and caster shim to the axle. Usually those bolts have round heads. I watched a spring guy take a hex bolt and grind ir round for this purpose. The other thing is that the head needs to be deep enough to reach through the caster shim and into the axle. I don't know how the setup works on a half ton.

As far as function after it is mounted, I have seen it stated that by that time the bolt has done it's job and the assembly is actually secured by the U bolts.

Try a button head bolt.

The spring center bolts do, in fact locate the spring to the axle by means of their round head. The bolts are available at NAPA stores or a local spring shop. They come in different thread diameters and lengths, and are usually purchased a few inches longer than the required finished length. Put the bolt through the leaves of the spring to align them, then comprees the leaves together with a "C" clamp or press before tightening the nut down that holds the spring together. (Don't use the bolt to compress the spring.) After the nut has been tightened, cut off the threads about 1/8" above the nut. Take your hammer & pound the threads over to lock the nut in place & prevent it from loosening.

Paul Frederick
"52 Suburban, '47 6100 Grain Truck

I agree with everything above. I just go to the hardware store and get grade 5 bolts, then use my angle grinder to round off the heads.

Well...I removed the U-bolts from the front leaf springs last night. Where the leaf springs sit on the front axel, there's a plate about 4" long and kinda shaped like a wedge. On top of that is something also about 4" long and @ 1/4" thick but it's not metal. Not sure what it's made of. Then the leaf springs sit on top of that. Does anyone know what the little 4" mystery plate is, and what the material is? Do I need this for reassemble?

The mystery plate is the caster shim. Install them in the same position they were in when you disassembled. Most of the caster shims I have seen have been cast iron or cast steel.

The wedge is the caster shim, and will be reused but the other 1/4" doodad that's not metal I have no clue what that is. It's not shown in the assembly manual and I'm pretty sure you can toss it. Every front end I've seen the springs sit right on top of the shims.