Leaf Springs
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Senior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 105
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From: Alameda, CA
Leaf Springs
Hi,
I have searched and poked around the forum for answers to a couple of questions.
1. I want the ride to be softer and assume I can achieve that by removing a couple of springs, right? Does it really make that much of a difference?
2. Are new springs softer than the original? In other words, will 7 original springs be as soft as 7 aftermarket springs?
All work would be completed by a spring shop.
Thanks!
BDL
I have searched and poked around the forum for answers to a couple of questions.
1. I want the ride to be softer and assume I can achieve that by removing a couple of springs, right? Does it really make that much of a difference?
2. Are new springs softer than the original? In other words, will 7 original springs be as soft as 7 aftermarket springs?
All work would be completed by a spring shop.
Thanks!
BDL
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Visalia
Hello BDL,
This is an article, that although may seem dated, is still informative. I know I'm not contributing directly to your question, but I hope this helps - a little. But I will let you know as soon as I undertake this task. I plan on removing a few or 3 leaves from the rear as well as from the front. Stay tuned...
Click the link below.
1948 through 1960 Ford F-1 and F-100 Rear Axle (differential) Swaps .: Articles
Paul
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
This is an article, that although may seem dated, is still informative. I know I'm not contributing directly to your question, but I hope this helps - a little. But I will let you know as soon as I undertake this task. I plan on removing a few or 3 leaves from the rear as well as from the front. Stay tuned...
Click the link below.
1948 through 1960 Ford F-1 and F-100 Rear Axle (differential) Swaps .: Articles
Paul
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 299
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From: Mt. Home, ID
I haven't driven my truck yet so I can't say what the original ride was like. I had one broken leaf out of the passenger side pack (14 total), so I took the corresponding one out of the drivers side. I cleaned them up, chamfered the top edge on the ends and added teflon liners between each leaf. By the way, you need longer u-bolts if you add the liners. My local spring shop told me if I didn't like the ride they could remake the springs using my original main leaf and give me the same carrying capacity out of only 7 or 8 leaves. that would give it more flex and actually require a shock.
I'm waiting for the intial drive to decide.
Mike
I'm waiting for the intial drive to decide.
Mike
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I don't think you would notice the difference unless the aftermarket springs had the teflon buttons. Removing a couple of leaves would certainly soften the ride some and even more if you added the teflon liner and ground the ends so they don't dig into each other as Mike suggested....
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 387
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From: Enterprise, AL
I am at the same stage trying to figure out if i want to remove some leaf springs. i have the back disconnected from the shackle, what is the proper procedure for taking them apart. do you start with the center bolt or the clamps. sorry for piggybacking off your thread, i am also looking for a softer ride and lowering the rear. also where do you exactly grind the ends
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,104
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From: Orcas Island Wa.
I always remove the leaf clamps first, then put a good C-clamp either side of the center bolt. Then unscrew the center bolt or saw or torch it off, whatever it takes. Then slowly release the C-clamps, do your stuff, stack the redone leaves onto a new center bolt (they usually come long, which helps) Tighten the C-clamps and snug down the center bolt, then saw off the leftover length. I would just chamfer the last 1/8th to 1/4" of each leaf. I normally am doing all this to add a few leaves ......
......
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 387
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From: Enterprise, AL
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Hi,
I have searched and poked around the forum for answers to a couple of questions.
1. I want the ride to be softer and assume I can achieve that by removing a couple of springs, right? Does it really make that much of a difference?
2. Are new springs softer than the original? In other words, will 7 original springs be as soft as 7 aftermarket springs?
All work would be completed by a spring shop.
Thanks!
BDL
I have searched and poked around the forum for answers to a couple of questions.
1. I want the ride to be softer and assume I can achieve that by removing a couple of springs, right? Does it really make that much of a difference?
2. Are new springs softer than the original? In other words, will 7 original springs be as soft as 7 aftermarket springs?
All work would be completed by a spring shop.
Thanks!
BDL
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 105
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From: Alameda, CA
I'm pretty convinced this is the route I was go; remove very other spring (as safety dictates), have the ends ground and use the Teflon.
I don't mind an old truck driving like an old truck, I just wanna back it off a tad and make it a bit more pleasurable.
I don't mind an old truck driving like an old truck, I just wanna back it off a tad and make it a bit more pleasurable.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
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From: San Jose, CA
If you're looking for a shop to do this, try A1 Spring Service in Oakland. I had them re-arch and replace a few broken leafs in the rear springs on my 52. I removed and brought the springs to them. However, I believe that they can also remove and install the springs for you. They charged me $330.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Alameda, CA
If you're looking for a shop to do this, try A1 Spring Service in Oakland. I had them re-arch and replace a few broken leafs in the rear springs on my 52. I removed and brought the springs to them. However, I believe that they can also remove and install the springs for you. They charged me $330.
Wonder what my job'll run...
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
Since the springs will be pulled, I recommend getting all new bushings, pins, bolts, etc. A spring hardware kit can be purchased that will have everything needed. That's what I did when I worked on the rear springs.
Find out what it'll cost. If it's too much and cheaper to bring your springs in, drive the truck to my house and we can have another wrenchin' party. We can leave the truck on jack stands in my driveway until the springs come back (probably about a week turn around time).
Find out what it'll cost. If it's too much and cheaper to bring your springs in, drive the truck to my house and we can have another wrenchin' party. We can leave the truck on jack stands in my driveway until the springs come back (probably about a week turn around time).
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Alameda, CA
Since the springs will be pulled, I recommend getting all new bushings, pins, bolts, etc. A spring hardware kit can be purchased that will have everything needed. That's what I did when I worked on the rear springs.
Find out what it'll cost. If it's too much and cheaper to bring your springs in, drive the truck to my house and we can have another wrenchin' party. We can leave the truck on jack stands in my driveway until the springs come back (probably about a week turn around time).
Find out what it'll cost. If it's too much and cheaper to bring your springs in, drive the truck to my house and we can have another wrenchin' party. We can leave the truck on jack stands in my driveway until the springs come back (probably about a week turn around time).
It would be a good excuse to see that Airflow, too.
I think I need to go for a drive right now for addition assessment
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