Spring liner question
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New User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 21
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From: Middle Point, OH
Spring liner question
New member here. I have blasted and painted my springs. I have put one of the front springs together with spring liner. Because of the additional thinkness I cannot get the bolts through the center two spring clips. The bolts fit fine on the outer two clips since there is only one thinkness of liner there. My question is: Are the center two clip bolts necessary? If so what are my options?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
if the clips are not used they let the individual leaves to act independently instead of a Spring Pack as designed.
I thought for years that they were just things that engineers put there to Pixx me off - when I was building armoured limos and setting up the suspensions I found out how they work.
I thought for years that they were just things that engineers put there to Pixx me off - when I was building armoured limos and setting up the suspensions I found out how they work.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 739
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From: Morgantown, WV
Don't mean to hijack the thread, but What if the clips are kinda loose? I think the rivets on mine are a little wore out, and the clips are wiggling now that I have separeted all of the them, stripped them and painted them. How do you fix this?
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 128
From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
To the best of my knowledge, you don’t. The rivet is just to keep the clip in place so that it doesn’t move on the spring pack and the bolt tension keeps the sides tight. 
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 739
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From: Morgantown, WV
Hmm.... All the other clamps are still attached very tightly against there respective leafs, and the only one is loose, is very loose. I understand that once you crank down the bolt that it will drawl up and get tight, but I guess it just doesn't seem correct to me.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Durham NC
It doesn't matter if the rivets are loose. The bolts should not be tight, just snug, the clips are to keep the leafs in alignment, not to clamp anything. Clamping the leafs tight together defeats the purpose of the liners. A spring shop can probably fix you up with longer clips.
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 21
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From: Middle Point, OH
What have others who have used the spring liner done about the spring clips? Half of the spring clip hole is covered by the top spring. If the spring clips are used to keep the springs in alignment maybe I could just run wire through the holes several times to hold the top of the clips together. Removing a spring may be another option, since the spring liner adds up to the thickness of a spring. Again, I am hoping to find out what others have done about spring clips when they used the spring liner.
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New User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 21
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From: Middle Point, OH
I assembled my springs, and I used all of the leafs (with liner between each). The clip bolts went through just fine on the ouside two clips. I am planning on making a type of clamp that will attach to the top of the inside clips and hold them together. I will use the same diameter bolt that was used originally on the clip.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
You will likely want to remove a leaf or two from the stack unless you are planning on carrying cargo regularly, to help keep the rear from bouncing off the pavement over every bump. It won't lower it appreciably. Look at the instructions in the Mid Fifty catalog or do a search here to find which leaves can be removed then choose which of those will allow your clips to work.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 739
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From: Morgantown, WV
You will likely want to remove a leaf or two from the stack unless you are planning on carrying cargo regularly, to help keep the rear from bouncing off the pavement over every bump. It won't lower it appreciably. Look at the instructions in the Mid Fifty catalog or do a search here to find which leaves can be removed then choose which of those will allow your clips to work.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Just to understand and give a more informed response, why do you want to raise your truck?
Lift blocks could be used, usually not the best idea on a beam axle for the street, but 2" isn't a large lift. I wouldn't go more than that tho.
Other possible solutions might be rearching the springs (probably the best solution for permanent raise), having heavier main leafs built, using longer shackles (the 60s/70's drag racer's way), using helper springs or air bags added to or built into the shocks. Except for rearching, longer shackles or air shocks (when set at minimal pressure) all will result in a stiffer ride. I like the air shocks (I have them on the rear of Gracie for towing) for their adjustability.