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BUSY BOLTERS Are you one?  The Shop Area
continues to pull in the most views on the Stovebolt. In August alone there were over 22,000 views in those 13 forums.
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| | | Forums66 Topics126,780 Posts1,039,294 Members48,100 | | Most Online2,175
Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 256 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 256 | I've been wondering lately if the front leaf springs on my '53 3600 are worn out. The truck rides rough, and feels like theres no give in the front suspension at all. I know its not going to be smooth, but it just seems like there not doing anything. I was under the truck yesterday and noticed the leafs seem like their drooping down. If I put a straight edge between the ubolt and the front shackle it shows that it droops down. Is there supposed to be a noticeable arch? Leaf picture: http://i54.tinypic.com/2aihbsy.jpg | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 | I won't address the ride but your springs should have some arch to them while at rest. I would guess that the shackle should be vertical. My springs look like yours but I don't have a problem with the ride. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 469 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 469 | The springs do look a little tired also looks like you the oils leaking out of your right front shock. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 38 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 38 | Make sure all six pins are free to move. I found one frozen up on my truck. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 608 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 608 | I,ll be darned if that fluid does,nt look like green anti freeze to me.
regards,
steve sr. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 4,886 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 4,886 | Mine were worn bad enough they wouldn't bounce even on the roughest roads. Look at the bottom sides and see if the lower springs have worn into the ones above them. Mine had steps at the meeting point so they had no where to slide. I ground the steps smooth and cut a radius on the lower spring edge so there was room to move. I also added teflon strips between each leaf for more give. It rides really good now for a old truck!
Joe | | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 256 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 256 | You were right Joe, the springs are very worn into each other. That would explain the rough ride, ha. It turns out the 3/4 and 1/2 tons use the same leaf springs in 1953, so I can probably get new springs reasonably cheap, thank God, 3/4 ton price markup was starting to kill me! Anyone have any recommendations on where I should get new springs? | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 331 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2005 Posts: 331 | St. Louis Spring is good, as is Eaton Detroit Spring. Both supply springs to original specs, or to customer specs. I bought rear springs from Eaton Detroit, and am getting front springs from St. Louis Spring (my parents are near there, so I can save on shipping).
Samantha | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 4,886 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 4,886 | Check local, it will save shipping.
Joe | | |
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