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My 64 Former farm truck had the original shocks in the front
So I have addressed many things on my old 64, and I’m finally starting to get into the suspension. Replaced all the shocks yesterday.
I’m getting the kingpins and leaf spring bushings done by an old timer shop next week. Their price is great and they’ve been in business longer than my truck has been alive.
However, they wanted $150 per shock and $150 to install. Now that one’s in my wheelhouse and there’s no way I’m paying $600 for some Gabriel shocks.
Gary at the shop told me that the fronts were original and when I pulled them, I believe it. Thank God for a sawzall. One of the shocks once compressed to get out didn’t even extend back.
I’m sure a lot of people know this but I didn’t. Once I got these new shocks on the non-power steering truck is about 50% easier to turn when it’s parked
I can see from your one picture that part of the overall issue is that the shocks now are acting as part of the support system when they are only supposed to control motion not support weight. Why are they providing support? Because your leaf springs have sagged out. To take the support role off of the shocks you need new leaf springs. You don't have to, but you'll put pressure on the shocks that they would not normally be responsible for so they will wear out faster than otherwise and not be able to do their designed job as effectively.
Here's a set of NOS front leaf springs for a 1964 F100. You can see the arch they have in them. Some of that settles out with the weight of the truck on them but they should not look like the one in your picture.
In my own play book putting new bushings in worn leaf springs isn't going to change the fact they have sagged.
Sounds good to me. Just keep in mind that the steering effort, ride height, and shock life won’t be fully right until the springs are addressed. Everything else you’re doing is good it just won’t reach its full effect until the foundation is fixed.
Once sagged enough then the springs start to arch backwards going over larger bumps and whoops in the road. Here's what happens to leaf springs if you just keep going and going. Two leaves have cracked but one is also missing the back portion. Obviously taken a bit too far.
@TA455HO thank you. I’ll definitely get them done in the near future.
There’s a place in La Puente the front end shop had me go for the leaf spring bushings. They pull the correct part and then they actually go to your truck and make sure they’re gonna fit.
While I was there, the sales person showed me their main business, which is making oem quality leaf springs. They also do custom jobs. I definitely put that in my file for the future.
Guy was telling me they can’t get spring steel like they used to and it’s so expensive now. Hold onto those NOS springs with your life lol
I wonder if getting the old springs re-arched is a good fix. I remember this was a thing back in the day. Of course I would need to find a good spring shop and not sure of the one that used to do it is still around.
Re‑arching is basically bending fatigued spring steel back into shape. It can restore ride height and arch, but the metal is already fatigued, and the temper is no longer uniform. The spring rate will be inconsistent, and the arch often settles again within months or a couple years. It’s a band‑aid, not a restoration.
I asked Atlas spring how much they charge for 4 new leaf springs exactly like the originals. $1200. Of course you would need to bring your leaf springs in if you want to save the $800 R&R.
They do, however, as he said, rebuild them, and I’m sure that’s what you’re talking about arching them. That would be 135 per spring. They’ll press the bushings in for you for $20 each bushing.
Re‑arching is basically bending fatigued spring steel back into shape. It can restore ride height and arch, but the metal is already fatigued, and the temper is no longer uniform. The spring rate will be inconsistent, and the arch often settles again within months or a couple years. It’s a band‑aid, not a restoration.
That’s kind of what I was thinking about metal fatigue. I wondered if they heat treated them to restore the spring memory. Mine probably need some help, but that’s down the road. I have a set of rear springs I pulled off of a ‘65 back in the mid 1980’s. I’d be surprised if they fit my ‘62 unibody, probably sell them some day after I decide I can’t use them.
Like other automotive related shops, places that re-arc springs are getting rare, and many people don’t live near one now. Radiator repair shops getting more scarce, too.
Some members say Eaton Detroit spring sold them springs reasonably, with reasonable shipping.
Picked up the truck yesterday from Bear Frame and Wheel in Glendora, California. Had the king pins and the leaf spring bushings replaced. Also an alignment.
The truck now drives fantastic. A loud clunk I used to hear when I turned left is completely gone. I thought my frame was broken and I was just driving it till the truck split in two pieces lol
Tracks straighter than straight— the steering wheel is perfectly centered. The new shocks and the work completed yesterday have made me very satisfied. Now to complete the 262 issues.
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