Leaf spring clamp spacers

[jmercer]

Hopefully I can describe what I am looking for clearly:

I am cleaning up my old leaf springs currently and installing new center pins and new bolts for the clamps as well. The clamps take a 5/16" bolt, but they also have a steel tube that seems to act as a spacer to prevent the clamps from squeezing horizontally against the leaves. I am having absolutely no luck finding some replacement tubing, and the old ones are too rusted out. I need approx. 3/8" or 7/16" ID steel tubing. I tried steel brake line but the largest that goes is 3/8" OD.

Anybody have any ideas on this?

I can post a picture of the part I am talking about tonight if it is unclear.

[wilfreeman]

What about fuel line?

[evanso1975]

A quick search on fleabay & google brought up several vendors selling 7/16" tube. Couldn't find steel; they all seemed to be stainless steel, brass or aluminium. Also, it wasn't clear if the 7/16" was ID or OD.

The vendors appeared to be specialising in parts for radio-controlled models & scale trains. If you have a hobby store near you, it would be worth a look. For the most part, the manufacturer was K & S Engineering, if that helps any.

Btw, the tubes off my M38 spring clamps were not seamless tube; as an alternative, maybe you could try forming new tubes from flat steel?

Owen.

[wesk]

Tubing is called out by OD. Just buy a short piece of 7/16" low carbon steel 1015 bushing stock. It will have a .065 wall leaving you with an ID of 5/16". It runs $2 or $3 a foot. The 4130 chrome-molly steel tube in that same size runs about $3 a foot also. I use Wicks Aircraft Supply but any steel supply house can fix you up.

http://aircraftproducts.wicksaircraft.c ... hing-stock

[capescw]

I'm getting that item from a local fabrication shop tomorrow! If you're willing to wait a day or two, I'll get an extra 8 of them! Just pay the postage, free item and no handling charge........