The previous owner of my 48 F1 replaced the front axle with what appears to be a 53 axle that is a couple of inches longer. When he did this the springs do not sit on the spring pads, so he welded the spring u-bolts to the springs.

I bought an actual 48 F1 axle to put in but my question is this. If I cut the u-bolts loose will the springs still be safe to use? Would the heat from welding and cutting the springs loose weaken the springs ?

 

My personal opinion is, I wouldn't trust them. That said, they may last another 100,000 miles, but why bother? Springs are not all that expensive. Not to the tune of my life anyway. At $150, or so, each, what would you really be saving?

 

I would expect the heat from the welding to not be good for the springs, I would replace them, even if with good used. If one broke on the highway it would not be a good thing.

 

Can you post a picture?! This has to go into the Hall of Shame!

 

I'm not schooled in metallurgy, but I have to give you an A+ for putting safety as priority. I'm a F-1 guy too, and when I bought mine one of the front springs was broken near the bushing. Just shows that they can be brittle. Keep up the good work.

 

A picture would help. You may be able to salvage the leafs that weren't welded to the U bolts. You could take your old springs to a spring shop and have them re arched. But like said above new Springs are cheap. Plus you can take advantage when changing your springs and lower your ride if you prefer.

 

Thanks guys, I figure it's better safe than sorry.
I will have to get a picture and post it, and this is by far not the worst thing the previous owner did.

I towed this home behind the Bronco at 30 mph, If I knew then what I know now, never would have done it.

 

F-1 springs made in USA by Eaton used to be $100 each. Sadly not the case any more...

 

I am a mechanical engineer......

If he weldedthe u bolt to the spring......

the leafs that is welded at is scrap.......no return

sorry

 

Hell, the springs were prolly worn out anyway right? I'm told re-arching aka "cold forming" does work but not for very long. Spend a little on quality springs and bushings, shocks and it will ride (and brake) like a new truck.

 

If the u-bolt is only welded to the main spring, then I agree that spring is junk. But you don't need to spend all that money on a complete set of springs if the rest of the spring pack is good. There are places like BETTS Spring located throughout the US that make springs, there are also at least two springs places in Reno, so there are probably some located near you. Go get a set of new main springs made, put the the rest of your pack on them and be good to go.

 

My spring guy here in St. Louis says re-arching my springs is almost the same price as new ones. (within $30 @)

 

Yes....but then you won't have to pay for freight!

A good spring shop can make you a new leaf to replace the welded one and then....re-arc the rest of the stack. A pic might be good for the "what not to do" list!!

Dan

 

As promised pictures of the PO's handy work. Sorry for the picture quality I got a little to close. As you can see the u-bolts are to short and not parallel with each other, nuts welded to axle, bolts welded to springs, spring center pin not over axle. Because the axle is longer the springs don't sit on the pads, u-bolts don't align with holes. The list goes on and on.
I already have the proper axle, new king pins, disk brake conversion, set of 5 on 5.5" wheels and tires. Still need to find some springs and new linkage.
Oh and the front wheels had the center hubs cut out and welded back together with hub caps over them to hide it.

 

Wow! That is craptacular.