Leaf spring separators?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Leaf spring separators?
What if the purpose of the plastic(?) pieces between the tips of the leafs in the springs? I am missing several and my mechanic said my springs will wear out sooner. Seems to me that for years trucks didn't have these separators and did just fine. I suspect they are only for noise control. My feeling is not to worry, but I thought I'd post just in case.
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Northern Virginia
Leaf spring separators?
I've always thought that they were there 1) to keep sqeaking down, 2) to make suspension more effective. Since the springs are basically parts of concentric circles, of different sizes, as they flex and flatten, they must slide against each other. Plactic (I thought Teflon) allow springs to slide against each other and move smoothly (which will reduce noise).
I occassinally squirt WD-40 on the leaves whenever I have a can in may hand, and I'm laying (lying?) under the truck. But that's because I suffer from the "Little Boy with a Hammer Syndrome" which holds that if you give a little boy a hammer, he will soon find that everything in the house needs hammering. So I squirt a bunch of stuff while I'm at it. :-)
Raul
w/ 81 F-100, I6, SROD, Carter 1V non-feedback carb, no A/C, no PS, no PB, but it gets me where I need to go
I occassinally squirt WD-40 on the leaves whenever I have a can in may hand, and I'm laying (lying?) under the truck. But that's because I suffer from the "Little Boy with a Hammer Syndrome" which holds that if you give a little boy a hammer, he will soon find that everything in the house needs hammering. So I squirt a bunch of stuff while I'm at it. :-)
Raul
w/ 81 F-100, I6, SROD, Carter 1V non-feedback carb, no A/C, no PS, no PB, but it gets me where I need to go
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Leaf spring separators?
Ah WD-40! One of my favorite substances (next to pizza sauce 
). Sounds like a great idea. I thought of lubing between the leafs, but lube generally attracts/holds dirt which then acts as sandpaper. I don't believe WD-40 would do that, yet it would provide some lubrication.
). Sounds like a great idea. I thought of lubing between the leafs, but lube generally attracts/holds dirt which then acts as sandpaper. I don't believe WD-40 would do that, yet it would provide some lubrication.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 359
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From: Northern Virginia
Leaf spring separators?
You may even be able to spray some of the aerosol graphite lubes into'em. Shake the can, spray, then the carrier evaporates and leaves the graphite particles whereever they were carried to - capillary action, I guess. Won't build up any grime that way, I suppose.
Your WD-40 and pizza sauce comment reminds me of when the Three Stooges go to the woods because Moe has had a nervous breakdown. When he discovers that they have both honey and catchup he comments: if there is anything I like better than honey and catchup, its baloney and whipped cream -- and we ain't got none o'that! We can now add WD-40 and pizza sauce to those popular combinations. :-)
Raul
w/ 81 F-100, I6, SROD, Carter 1V non-feedback carb, no A/C, no PS, no PB, but it gets me where I need to go
Your WD-40 and pizza sauce comment reminds me of when the Three Stooges go to the woods because Moe has had a nervous breakdown. When he discovers that they have both honey and catchup he comments: if there is anything I like better than honey and catchup, its baloney and whipped cream -- and we ain't got none o'that! We can now add WD-40 and pizza sauce to those popular combinations. :-)
Raul
w/ 81 F-100, I6, SROD, Carter 1V non-feedback carb, no A/C, no PS, no PB, but it gets me where I need to go
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Leaf spring separators?
Raul, I like your graphite suggestion even better. I have a couple cans of LockEze (or whatever it's called) at home. The Stooges are Great! I wonder if they ever drove a Ford pickup in any of their episodes. They definitely drove Model T's. Bet the stake truck they had all the beer kegs loaded on was a Model T. Ever see Three Stooges Beer? Their picture is on the label with the quote, "We All Put the Yeast In"! Pretty good tasting beer, though. I think it's from the Pennsylvania Brewing Company.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 359
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From: Northern Virginia
Leaf spring separators?
LOL
Nope, never seen Three Stooges Beer, if I find it, I'll try it.
That's definitely how they would add the yeast, though.
Raul
w/ 81 F-100, I6, SROD, Carter 1V non-feedback carb, no A/C, no PS, no PB, but it gets me where I need to go
Nope, never seen Three Stooges Beer, if I find it, I'll try it.
That's definitely how they would add the yeast, though.
Raul
w/ 81 F-100, I6, SROD, Carter 1V non-feedback carb, no A/C, no PS, no PB, but it gets me where I need to go
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