The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Spring Perch SNAFU

I am doing a frame-off restoration on my '50 3100, and have just turned the corner from disassembly to reassembly. One of the last things I'm doing is pulling the old bushings out of the spring perches and replacing them with new. I'm using a technique that I read about on the forum, using a 3-in-1 tool from Harbor Freight and a LOT of muscle.

I got the two bushings out of the rear spring perches but a pretty good size chunk of the perch broke off also, so the hole is no longer round.

Is this thing FUBAR? Do I now have to replace the spring perches or can I install the new bushing and not worry about it? Do you think this was due to technique or 50 years of rust and poor maintenance?

I have pictures of it but don't have any place on the web to put them yet. Once I put them someplace I'll add a picture to the post.

Thanks for any info. With any luck, this truck will at least be back on wheels before I die or go broke.

Got pictures uploaded

right spring hanger

I had a similar problem and took the spring hanger off the truck by grinding off the rivet heads. Then I took it to a spring shop and had them press the old busing out and new bushing in. They offered to weld up the small chunk that was missing out of mine and told me it wouldn't make a difference. IF the chunk missing were any bigger I would have had it welded up and then the bore drilled/honed back to original spec before pressing in the new bushing. You could do that or replace the spring hanger with either a new one or one from a junk yard.

Just my .02, but I would put the new bushings,bolts in and enjoy the ride

I'd say that there is probably enough perch for the new bushing to grab on to.

Fix It!! Nothing like riding down the road and it all come loose. Of course you might like that kind of excitement.

I figure there is plenty of perch there to hold the new bushing. I'm just concerned about doing more damage and having to go back and pull everything apart again to repair it later. (been there, done that. And it gets expensive)

Fixing it sounds expensive too. Replacing it with another old one doesn't sound any better. Are there any shops out there that sell reproductions or new ones?

Thanks.

Fixing the original perch with welding is not that expensive- I think the spring shop could repair the perch and press in the new bushing for less than $20 and then theres the cost of three grade 8 bolts- $5 maybe. Call your local spring shop for the price of a new hanger, they can't be too much- $15? A used one can't be too expensive either- lots of people cut the old ones off when they put in four link suspensions or convert to coil springs- Try posting in the swapmeet for one, probably won't exceed $20 w/shipping.

If you need a 4" grinder to grind off the rivet heads, they've got them at harbor frieght for less than $20.

How about driving in a new bushing & fill the cavity with J.B. weld. The worst that can happen is the bushing egg shape a little.

Hey RG,

Just a thought...I just finished pulling my torque tube 3.90 differential and SM420 transmission and at the moment, have no use for them. I don't know if there are differences in width between the 50 and my 54 but if you were set up to swap rear-ends this might work out for you. Not that far from St. Augustine to Lake Wales! Also have all new wheel cylinders, hoses, shoes, backing plates, drums, lines that were from my Phase 1 rebuild. Let me know if you're interested.

Hey Fla54,

We may have to work something out. I'll shoot you an IM.

Thanks for the info all.

RedGreen

replace the perches, now, while you are off frame.