Leaf spring dress up
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 0
From: dayton ohio
could be rather costly. if they are on the truck you will have to get new u bolts. wont hurt to bust them up to get rust from between the leafs. but not necessary. unless they have broken leafs i wouldnt bother taking them apart.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
They come apart very easy, with a couple od "c" clamps and a few wrenches. The c-clams are to keep the spring pack together while you remove the center bolt that holds the entire thing together.
You will need to replace the center bolt, and the new bolt will be super long. This must remain this way until you assemble the spring pack. You will see why once you begin the assembly.
You should also consider that the springs were originally shot peened to reduce the possibilty of cracking, and minimize breaks.
You can paint the surfaces as much as you like, but remeber that these surfaces slide on one another, and will eat through the paint in a real hurry, just from friction.
You should also consider installing some teflon between the individual leafs to prevent this, and this will also make the truck ride much better without as many squeeks or rattles.
Spring clams can be a little interesting if they are not bolt in units. Trying to bend them to lok nice is tough.
You will need to replace the center bolt, and the new bolt will be super long. This must remain this way until you assemble the spring pack. You will see why once you begin the assembly.
You should also consider that the springs were originally shot peened to reduce the possibilty of cracking, and minimize breaks.
You can paint the surfaces as much as you like, but remeber that these surfaces slide on one another, and will eat through the paint in a real hurry, just from friction.
You should also consider installing some teflon between the individual leafs to prevent this, and this will also make the truck ride much better without as many squeeks or rattles.
Spring clams can be a little interesting if they are not bolt in units. Trying to bend them to lok nice is tough.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Meadow Valley, CA
I took mine apart very easily, off my 74 F100 project. Took them in for sandblasting and powdercoating. They look better than new! When I put them back together, I put a thin layer of grease between them, on my dad's advice, along with new c-clamps. New urethane bushings, the old ones were pressed out prior to sandblasting and powdercoating. I can't really state the cost for sandblasting/powdercoating, since it was a package deal along with my complete frame, radius arms, engine towers, and tranny crossmember. Locally, this all came to about $450.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,219
Likes: 190
From: Colorado Springs
If you are going to take off the leaves, it would be best to replace them. preping and restoring a consumable part like a leaf spring would only make sense on an antique that is'nt driven much. It seams that if the truck has seen its fare share of off road, moist climate, or hard driving, the leaves might have weak spots from heat or friction or overloading. i have seen trucks with broken leaves in junkyards, the outcome is not pretty. just my opinion.
Last edited by 78_f800crewcab4x4; Apr 9, 2008 at 01:50 PM. Reason: addition
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