Couple of questions on leaf springs.

I have noted that the front springs on my '60 F-100 seem to be flat instead of bowed like I expected them to be. I would think that they won't function very well. Do I need to replace them?

Also too, on all four corners of the truck I see that the metal clips that hold the springs together are loose and not holding the leaves together. Is this a problem? Can I get them back on myself or should I take them to a spring expert?

Thanx.

 

Sounds like my trucks; there sure wasn't much travel left. I thought they should have more arch to them, but when I took a set into a spring shop they said the springs looked OK. A spring shop could re-arch them for you.
As for those clips, you could maybe get new ones from a spring shop. The whole pack is mainly held together by a bolt in the middle and the u-bolts. I'm pretty sure the clips aren't critical.
Removing the springs will be a bunch of work: the U-bolts are probably rusted so you'll need to hacksaw them. Spring shops can make you a new set, or it could be cheaper to buy them from someplace like LMCtruck. Plan on getting new shackles and bushings too, since they're usually badly worn. And maybe ask the spring shop about getting some sheets of slippery plastic to put between the leaves; that's supposed to make the springs quieter and smoother or something.

 

your not alone starfox. my 54 has flat springs as well. i don't think they were ever arched. my friends 92 jeep wrangler has flat too. i think the superduty 4x4 has flat springs also. suzuki samurai is another.
seems like most front truck springs are flat and not arched. i don't understand the reasoning behind it. the ones in the rear are almost always arched. probably to handle big loads.

my couple of cents on it.

 

My 56 M100 front springs did not have much arch, got new ones. They were not much better so I had the spring shop put in a little more arch and then the front of the truck sat up too high. I would think that after all of this that the front springs do not have much of a up ward arch from new in order to sit level.

 

I'm glad to hear that everyone else has the 'same set of springs', I thought it was rather strange. My truck does sit even front to back so arcing the front wouldn't be my choice.
Ultimately, I want to rake the front end. I'll probably try removing a few leaves to accomplish that.
thanks for all the input!