I read this on the FTE Suspension Forum. Has anyone else heard this. Most of my leaves will fit in my glass beaded but I doubt my mainleaf will.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...%25252Bsprings

"Well got my center bolts! And confirmed it the sandblasting on the leaf springs. According to them. sandblasting will make your springs weak. The "seasoning" of the metal for the older trucks comes from dipping the metal into hot oil. This creates a hard metal shell around the softer metal. sandblasting removes metal, and removing this hardend shell will make your springs weak. They recommended bead or shot blasting to clean the metal. Glad I used a wire brush! "

What do you think. I don't see where sandblasting would be any rougher than shot blasting but I guess the shot would compact the surface where the sand would cut. Maybe that is why glass beading is ok.

 

I think that if what you said is correct then rusty springs are weak too? the rust has taken away from the original thickness of the metal.
I'm no expert on the subject but I cant see where a little clean-up on some springs for a vintage hauler that will never haul a heavy load again will be affected.

Kevin Bigwin

 

I've sandblasted every set of springs I ever owned. At the pressures most of us are dealing with, just getting the rust off them is a chore. You aren't going to hurt your leaves. If you are really concerned with spring strength, then you better put the other four leaves back in your stack because I guarantee you that took away more strength than any cleaning method ever would.

 

Thanks all,

It sounded crazy to me and you'd have to blast a long time to remove anything other than rust. I'll move on to other worries. LOL

 

Charles,

Pretty amazing what the experts at the various places will sometimes tell you. I've been calling junkyards for various little items for my 1956. So far, I've learned the following:

1. Ford converted from 6V to 12V systems on their trucks in 1946
2. You can't replace the doors on a Ford pickup because they were custom fit at the factory for each truck
3. If you try to put two horns on a vehicle the sound will cancel out
4. You can't use modern laminated safety glass in the old vehicles, only "old style" glass (whatever that is) - no reason given as to why this is so
5. Using plastic coated wire in an old truck will cause the generator to burn out

Most of these facts were presented in a manner that definitely did not invite comment, correction, or a burst of laughter.

As far as your springs go, they are usually hardened using standard heat treating methods. Specifically, they are heated to anneal the metal (roughly 1100F to 1300F), then quenched in either oil, water, or a special polymer to lock a mostly Martensite or Pearlite grain structure in the metal. This results in a higher yield strength, so they can flex farther without permanently deforming. It also makes them harder and less tough.

It's interesting to note that the quenching process makes the metal less damage tolerant. Cracks will actually grow faster in the harder material, but that's a tradeoff that's worthwhile for springs. The hardening is a through-thickness process, unlike case hardening. There is no surface layer to remove - so blast away.

 

Next thing ya know, George will destroy the Easter Bunny Theory.

 

Thanks Earl,

It really was a ridiculous question when I think about it. Really how is a thin layer that could be sand blasted off going to do anything for a spring. I'll just balme it on my mind that is throughly saturated with what IFS kit to buy. LOL For the last several years there was no question that I would buy a Fatman BUT now there are several more options for the 57 - 60 and Fatman has had some negative press.

 

"2. You can't replace the doors on a Ford pickup because they were custom fit at the factory for each truck"

George

You mean this isn't true? I have been ready to buy into this theory more than once. Put a couple three different doors on your truck and you'll find out how that one may have gotten started. I think the acceptable tolerances were just a bit looser in the "Good ol' days"

 

Hi, I do lots of bead blasting of small parts at work. I find it works very well for cleaning almost all engine parts, even pistons, you just have to be sure that you clean every thing well before you reassemble. Anyway, my point is I don't think you could remove enough metal from a spring to do any damage. I know that you have to hold the nossle very close and have lots of air pressue tha errode even soft metal such as a aluminum piston.

 

Hey, I'll bet that the guys that "custom fit" the doors did the hoods also.