Leaf Spring Lubrication ?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 38
From: Valley Center, California
Leaf Spring Lubrication ?
I recently bought a new set of front Leaf Springs. I took them apart to remove 3 leafs, bevel and radius the leading edges, and the paint them. It occurs to me.... as long as I have them apart, is there any benefit to lubing them ? Dry Spray ? Graphite ? Grease ? Don't bother ?
I know there are vinyl buttons and inserts available. I'm not that worried about it but if it's just a case of applying something before I re-assemble, why not ?
Any experience with this ?
I know there are vinyl buttons and inserts available. I'm not that worried about it but if it's just a case of applying something before I re-assemble, why not ?
Any experience with this ?
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Sioux City Iowa
While I had my springs apart for my Model A pickup and '56 F100 I brushed on two coats of a graphite type paint. Went on wet and messy and dried to a rough texture, then burnished it with some 220 sandpaper. Put the spring stack back together and aerosol black spray paint the edges for looks. It will get rid of any squeaks and allow the springs to work as designed, actually better. I won't redo a vehicle now without doing this to the springs.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,297
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
I tried some motorcycle chain lube, it is PJ1 brand. It has a light carrier that lets it penetrate, the carrier then flashes off, and leaves a lightweight, white grease that clings very well. I sprayed the springs I traded to BobbyT with it, and my new ones. and will do my rears after I clean them up.
The Eaton springs (which I believe you have, from JCW) could really use the radiusing, that's my only complaint about them. Real square cut.
The Eaton springs (which I believe you have, from JCW) could really use the radiusing, that's my only complaint about them. Real square cut.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,013
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
As Ross mentioned, he had sprayed pooky on the springs he donated. I didn't do a thing to them well, thats not true, I removed the bottom 2 leaves -- only to add them back in later) I just installed them.
I had a 1949 Pontiac. It had a light gauge sheetmetal wrapping on the rear springs that had grease zerk on it for lube.
How thick are the poly liners? that could add up to quite a bit of height once you get it between each leaf
Bobby
I had a 1949 Pontiac. It had a light gauge sheetmetal wrapping on the rear springs that had grease zerk on it for lube.
How thick are the poly liners? that could add up to quite a bit of height once you get it between each leaf
Bobby
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
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Originally Posted by bobbytnm
As Ross mentioned, he had sprayed pooky on the springs he donated. I didn't do a thing to them well, thats not true, I removed the bottom 2 leaves -- only to add them back in later) I just installed them.
I had a 1949 Pontiac. It had a light gauge sheetmetal wrapping on the rear springs that had grease zerk on it for lube.
How thick are the poly liners? that could add up to quite a bit of height once you get it between each leaf
Bobby
I had a 1949 Pontiac. It had a light gauge sheetmetal wrapping on the rear springs that had grease zerk on it for lube.
How thick are the poly liners? that could add up to quite a bit of height once you get it between each leaf
Bobby
1/8" thick maybe? I lowered mine (removed leaves) and put them back! LOL
I can't see any appreciable difference in height with them in between the leaves.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,013
Likes: 9,957
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Hmmm...
My spring packs have 8 or 9 leaves, if that liner stuff is 1/8" think then its like adding almost an inch to the spring pack thickness.
Did you have to get a longer center bolt? longer "U" bolts for the axle? or am I just missing something here?
I could definatley see the benefit of dissassembling the sprink packs, cleaning all the old crud out from between the leaves and then reassembling the whole mess. I don't think I'd paint each leaf individually as the paint could potentially get all gommed up between the leaves.
Interesting stuff
Bobby
My spring packs have 8 or 9 leaves, if that liner stuff is 1/8" think then its like adding almost an inch to the spring pack thickness.
Did you have to get a longer center bolt? longer "U" bolts for the axle? or am I just missing something here?
I could definatley see the benefit of dissassembling the sprink packs, cleaning all the old crud out from between the leaves and then reassembling the whole mess. I don't think I'd paint each leaf individually as the paint could potentially get all gommed up between the leaves.
Interesting stuff
Bobby
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
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I do not have that many leaves. The 1/8" is a guess...it might be thinner. I think they settle down a little after driving a while too. Mine had long enough bolts in the spring packs to begin with. It really did not increase the height of them very much at all when bolted together. No changes at all on the U-bolts.
With the liners...the light paint should never gum up. It has not so far as I can tell. I think it has improved the ride. I know the springs were rusted together in places, so just cleaning them up may have helped.
When the weather improves...I have new shocks to go on.
With the liners...the light paint should never gum up. It has not so far as I can tell. I think it has improved the ride. I know the springs were rusted together in places, so just cleaning them up may have helped.
When the weather improves...I have new shocks to go on.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,013
Likes: 9,957
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Brian,
Cool. I almost wish I would have put some of the liner stuff in my springs but I'm not about to tear it all back apart now.
It was amazing how much gunk came out of my old spring packs
Bobby
Cool. I almost wish I would have put some of the liner stuff in my springs but I'm not about to tear it all back apart now.
It was amazing how much gunk came out of my old spring packs
Bobby
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 201
Likes: 3
From: Churchville, VA
I put the liners from Mid 50's in mine. It's more like 1/16" It looks like an I beam when you look from the end. The top & bottom of the beam might be 1/8, but the actual part that goes between the springs is very thin. Hope this helps
