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Ranger Member
Joined: Apr 10, 2011 Posts: 18 Location: Houston TX
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Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:00 pm Post subject: Leaf spring rebuild |
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I remember looking at a topic where someone rebuilt the leaf springs, I just went through all 62 pages looking at anything that contained the words leaf spring in the title and found nothing. Can someone help me out and provide a link to the topic? I hate just asking but I'm tired of looking.
Thanks, Ranger |
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hill Member
Joined: Jun 06, 2009 Posts: 73 Location: Corbin, Ky.
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Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:02 pm Post subject: leaf springs |
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Go to downloads then to M38 and M38 A1 then at top of page go to axle . I hope this helps. |
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Ranger Member
Joined: Apr 10, 2011 Posts: 18 Location: Houston TX
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Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, thats even better than what I was looking for. |
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mckim Member
Joined: Jan 07, 2011 Posts: 63 Location: Idaho Falls, ID
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Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 11:40 pm Post subject: |
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I'll make a few comments on that guide:
First, you should NEVER use metal prep (phosphoric acid) solution on springs. This results in what is known as hydrogen embrittlement, which will lead to cracks and failure of the springs. Your results may not be as sudden as this guy's: http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/rust-removal-lesson-learned-213091/ but still very possible. Some argue that it's not actually hydrogen embrittlement, but that the acid attacks any existing small cracks (which all of our springs do in fact have), causing accelerated fracture. Either way, the results are bad, and not necessarily immediate. The same goes for electrolytic rust removal.
Second, grease between the leaves isn't really necessary. In fact, the shop we had re-arch and reassemble our springs strongly recommended against it, as it collects and retains extra, abrasive, dirt. A well-known restoration book (Collector Car Restoration Bible by Matt Joseph) also lists it as a big no-no. That dirt will wear through your carefully painted leaves and start rusting (even though you have a thin layer of grease in there). (And painting isn't really necessary, but won't hurt anything either. It's going to wear off quickly.)
Also, have you checked the arch of your springs yet? Worth doing before disassembly so you don't end up having to take your spiffy rebuilt springs in to the shop for all that manual persuasion (beatings with a hammer).
Otherwise, knock yourself out. _________________ 1952 M38 - restoration in process, 1000 miles away... |
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53a1 Member
Joined: Jun 25, 2008 Posts: 583 Location: Kern Co.
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Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 7:54 am Post subject: |
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mckim,
Where did you take your springs to get re-arched? How much did it run you?
Thanks. _________________ '53 M38A1 X2 |
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mckim Member
Joined: Jan 07, 2011 Posts: 63 Location: Idaho Falls, ID
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Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 7:42 pm Post subject: |
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53a1 wrote: | Where did you take your springs to get re-arched? How much did it run you? |
We took them to E & C Spring here in Escondido. He disassembled, wire wheeled, re-arched, reassembled with new hardware where necessary, and painted them. $150 for each pair.
http://www.eandcspring.com/ _________________ 1952 M38 - restoration in process, 1000 miles away... |
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DJ Member
Joined: Apr 15, 2005 Posts: 289 Location: Wis.
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Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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The local spring shop here told me he could rearch them ,but wouldn't reccomend or guarantee them. He said within a year the 60 year old springs would be sagging again. |
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mckim Member
Joined: Jan 07, 2011 Posts: 63 Location: Idaho Falls, ID
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Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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The guy at E & C said that's what would happen if they were just re-arched using a press instead of hammering each on an anvil by hand. _________________ 1952 M38 - restoration in process, 1000 miles away... |
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53a1 Member
Joined: Jun 25, 2008 Posts: 583 Location: Kern Co.
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Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:48 am Post subject: |
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Thanks mckim.
I head down that way from Kern Co. sometimes and I wouldn't mind having mine done.
Thanks for the heads up on using acid on springs. I did use some on my springs so I'll keep watching them to see what happens. _________________ '53 M38A1 X2 |
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RimfireJim Member
Joined: Feb 28, 2011 Posts: 148 Location: Escondido, CA
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Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 11:48 am Post subject: |
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53a1 wrote: | Thanks mckim.
I head down that way from Kern Co. sometimes and I wouldn't mind having mine done. |
53a1: E&C Spring has been in town as long as I can remember (we've lived here since '84) and does a lot of work for the nearby restoration shops as well as 4WD truck mods and heavy-duty commercial truck work. The guy seems like a real straight shooter, and experienced, and took extra care to rebuild ours as close to original as possible. We didn't need any leaves replaced (good thing, because that size of stock isn't available anymore), but did need some new clips in addition to the re-arching. I told him "no hurry" and he said, "OK, how about [two days later]?"
Look us up if you get down here.
Jim _________________ Jim M.
1952 M38 son-father project
Discovering more worn out parts, one assembly at a time |
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53a1 Member
Joined: Jun 25, 2008 Posts: 583 Location: Kern Co.
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:16 am Post subject: |
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Thank for the info. I'd love to check out your project. I was in Escondido for 10 years myself so know the area very well. _________________ '53 M38A1 X2 |
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