I got new front and rear springs from A-Springs and want to prepare them for installation. My question is how big of a C clamp do I need to disassemble them for filing, lubing, painting. I don't know how much compression there is. Would I need a 6"-8"-10" to handle the springs relaxing. At A-Springs recommendation I got the 10 leaf rear but want to remove #7 and #9 for a better ride (again their recommendation).
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Last edited by Mickey; 12-20-2017, 03:27 PM. -
Mick there is some tension on the spring pack, but nothing crazy. I have wrapped chain around both sides and fastened it with a bolt and nut. I have also used C-clamps, as long as they go around the spring leafs with some play your good. It's not that much pressure but it will give a little pop.3~ Tudor's & 1~ Coupe
Henry Ford said,
"It's all nuts and bolts"
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
Mitch's Auto Service ctr-
So I use the C clamp to enclose the spring rather than clamping it and slowly releasing the tension? -
Ahhhh...thought you were removing. It's easy to remove and install. I had to cut my shackles that hold the spring. Rusted solid. PB Blaster and a little yellow bottle torch is your friend with all the bolts. I ran across a lot of stripped bolts and nuts as well. I doubt that car will be a basket case like mine. HAHAHA
Just attach the spring to the rear with shackle grease fittings towards rear and long center bolt through the centers. Add the clips on both sides and lower frame down centering hole on rear cross member to center bolt on spring.
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Beau these are off the vehicle,, big difference.. yes just enclose / capture them..3~ Tudor's & 1~ Coupe
Henry Ford said,
"It's all nuts and bolts"
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
Mitch's Auto Service ctrComment
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Was this a dumb question you asked that we answered Beau I mean about graphite and painting. Yea we love ya..png "tongue")
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To answer the question, I've had good luck using C clamp that opens to 6 1/4" on an eight leaf spring. It should work on a 10 leaf with just a small amount of residual tension that you could deal with safely.Comment
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With the front springs, a light weight 6 in will do it, and really you may not need a clamp, if your using a new center bolt.
With the rear spring, I was scared so I used the heaviest clamp I had, when the clamp was opened to it's max about 6 or 8 inches, I had a little tension left in the spring, it wasn't bad to deal with.Comment
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Mickey
Did you ask A-springs about lubricating the new springs? I thought i remember that they did not recommend that3~ Tudor's & 1~ Coupe
Henry Ford said,
"It's all nuts and bolts"
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
Mitch's Auto Service ctrComment
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This is from their website.
"Use a light coat of EP (extreme pressure) grease on the underside of each leaf prior to assembly. This will allow for a smoother action between the leaves and provide for a softer ride."
Mitch what do you think of the Teflon ball caps for the shock links? Bratton's seems to like them. Says never needs greasing.
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Even the Teflon ones should have grease to keep the metal parts from rusting.Originally posted by Mickey View Post
The rear spring is most dangerous when it's shackled in place to the rear axle, because this pulls the spring leaves flatter and that puts a lot of tension on the center bolt. I was taking a junk Model A apart with the body off. I thought it was strange that when I was removing the 4 nuts from the 2 U bolts that they were so tight, right up to the last thread. Well, I didn't think about the center bolt being rusted in half, and when I got to the last thread on the U bolts, the frame suddenly jumped a few feet in the air. Luckily my head was just behind the rear crossmember when this happened, but it sure woke me up.Comment
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Be careful installing the rear spring. I was not, and I was extremely lucky to get away alive and unharmed.
I took mine out with a homemade spreader. It was dark out, and my neighbor and I were working with a outside floodlights and a drop light. Needless to say, when I tapped out the second shackle, the spring took off - up!! We both ran, and heard branches breaking in the tree above. The spring came down, and went about 10” into the ground. We were SO Lucky to not be hurt or killed!!
Needless to say, I ordered a spring spreader from Snyder’s to put it back in. I admit I was scared, but it went back perfectly, without any problems.Comment
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