Safety question PICTURE ADDED !
#1
Safety question PICTURE ADDED !
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 ?
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 ?
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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.