Restoring Leaf Springs
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
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Restoring Leaf Springs
Guys,
Just looking for a confirmation and maybe what you guys have done.
I've searched a bunch on this topic and it seems the only consensus I've found is to not paint in between the leafs. Some guys say to sandblast while other say to not sandblast. Some put grease between the individual leafs upon assembly.
My truck came from New Mexico so rust is pretty minimal.
Here's what I was thinking for restoring my '60's front and rear leafs: Spring shop is re-arching/repairing/whatever-is-needed to get them back to matching the stock arch and component make-up. They are replacing whatever Ford originally put between the leafs for smoothness of operation and anti-squeak. They are not doing anything to remove the surface oxidation. I plan on wire brushing the complete assemblies and shooting them with some of Eastwood's Extreme Chassis Black.
What have you guys done and how did it work?
Thanks,
Nick in WI
Just looking for a confirmation and maybe what you guys have done.
I've searched a bunch on this topic and it seems the only consensus I've found is to not paint in between the leafs. Some guys say to sandblast while other say to not sandblast. Some put grease between the individual leafs upon assembly.
My truck came from New Mexico so rust is pretty minimal.
Here's what I was thinking for restoring my '60's front and rear leafs: Spring shop is re-arching/repairing/whatever-is-needed to get them back to matching the stock arch and component make-up. They are replacing whatever Ford originally put between the leafs for smoothness of operation and anti-squeak. They are not doing anything to remove the surface oxidation. I plan on wire brushing the complete assemblies and shooting them with some of Eastwood's Extreme Chassis Black.
What have you guys done and how did it work?
Thanks,
Nick in WI
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
There are teflon strips that you can put in between to help smooth out the action. As far as coating them to make them look pretty, I wouldn't do anything. Occasionally, spray them with WD-40 and wipe it off
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Senior User
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Thanks Julie. Do you think that they might have been natural to begin with? my chassis has some of the original black paint still on it but I can't see anything on the springs.
I bought a set of springs from ESPO a bunch of years ago and I'm pretty sure those were just painted on the outside- not between the leafs...
Nick
I bought a set of springs from ESPO a bunch of years ago and I'm pretty sure those were just painted on the outside- not between the leafs...
Nick
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
I don't think that's paint believe it or not. There is some type of coating that they put on them during the build up process. Here is a picture of my new springs and you can see the coating:
Here is the link to the last thread I saw on painting springs. There may be a few better answers in it. AX racer recommends a wax coat on the springs (and he is someone I'd listen to - and do):
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...re-wheels.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...acement-3.html Start at post 29.
Here is the link to the last thread I saw on painting springs. There may be a few better answers in it. AX racer recommends a wax coat on the springs (and he is someone I'd listen to - and do):
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...re-wheels.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...acement-3.html Start at post 29.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 5
From: Akron Ohio
From the factory, ford phosphate coated the springs and then they assembled them. On most of the cars, they left them that way. Ford use to spray the truck suspensions black after they were assembled.
I had mine sandblasted, and was going to phosphate them myself(gun bluing solution) but found out they ended up with black paint after all and shot them with chassis saver. The big argument is the leaves moving back and fourth rubs the paint away and then the U bolts loosen up. I painted mine anyway and rubbed grease in-between before assembling as I don't plan to do much driving.
I had mine sandblasted, and was going to phosphate them myself(gun bluing solution) but found out they ended up with black paint after all and shot them with chassis saver. The big argument is the leaves moving back and fourth rubs the paint away and then the U bolts loosen up. I painted mine anyway and rubbed grease in-between before assembling as I don't plan to do much driving.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Macomb, IL
Nick, I think some of your answers depend on what stage you are with your build and what you want. I was in the same situation so took my springs apart and had them sandblasted and painted. Next step was to get the slides to put between the springs and reinstall the springs. But with them apart I got to take a good look at them and didn't like what I saw.
I want the base of this truck to be in really good shape. Since I had the entire truck in pieces I figured there was no reason to put 55 year old springs back on. So I got out the Mid Fifties catalog and ordered new ones for the front. New rear ones will be ordered over the summer.
Like Julie says, read what AX and others!) has to say about this!
I want the base of this truck to be in really good shape. Since I had the entire truck in pieces I figured there was no reason to put 55 year old springs back on. So I got out the Mid Fifties catalog and ordered new ones for the front. New rear ones will be ordered over the summer.
Like Julie says, read what AX and others!) has to say about this!
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