re-arched leaf springs
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 1
From: Tucson
I had some done years ago on a 1 ton Chev 4X4. They put each leaf under a punch press (not sure what the real name is). They whacked it while moving the spring and it magically arched. It worked well.
jor
jor
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
You can do it yourself. I have seen it done on a regular press and I have hears of guys doing it with an assistant and a sledge hammer. If you have a press, mark a line across your spring every 4 to 6 inches. You will need to set up the blocks in the press so the spring is laying across them as you put it in from the side. After the press makes contact you will need to give it a few more pumps. usually 2 or 3 depending on the press. Then move to the next mark and repeat. Just make sure that each leaf is arched the same as the corresponding leaf from the other side. It isn't rocket science. The sledge hammer method is similiar and requires blocks to lay the leaf across.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
Yes it is pounded or punched between the blocks. To decide how much you will have to just experiment, but a soon as it is bent just a little you will have enough since you will be bending each leaf at several locations along its length and the accumulative affect will add up to plenty. If you start with the main leaf, when you get done with it you should have only about 2 or 3 inches more arch in it than the other one after you are done so keep comparing to the same leaf from the other side as a reference as you go. You can probably use a section of heavy channel iron for a pounding block. Probably 4-6 inches wide.
