I decided to take the front spring off this weekend to press out the old shackle bolts and bushings and press in new ones. When I got it off I saw that the third leaf was broken. So I put two large C-clamps on the spring and started to remove the center bolt to take the leaves apart. As soon as I put pressure on the wrench the bolt snapped in two. The springs were also rusted together and the bolt was almost rusted in two.
It's a good thing I decided to take them apart because if I had left it as is, the first good bump in the road and the spring would have come apart. Now I will get a new third leaf from Walt and polish the rest.
In the third picture you can see how the leaves wear into the one below them to the point they can't flex anymore as they are locked together. When you hit a bump and it can't flex, they break.
So I have to grind the surface flat so they can slide over each other. Also, bevel the bottom of each leaf so it can't cut in to the one below it. Then I polished them smooth. When I get a new third leaf and center bolt I will grease them and reassemble to go back on the crossmember.
It's a good thing I decided to take them apart because if I had left it as is, the first good bump in the road and the spring would have come apart. Now I will get a new third leaf from Walt and polish the rest.
In the third picture you can see how the leaves wear into the one below them to the point they can't flex anymore as they are locked together. When you hit a bump and it can't flex, they break.
So I have to grind the surface flat so they can slide over each other. Also, bevel the bottom of each leaf so it can't cut in to the one below it. Then I polished them smooth. When I get a new third leaf and center bolt I will grease them and reassemble to go back on the crossmember.
I also decided to take the steering linkage off the spindles to press in new bushings and see how the balls look on the spindles.
As you can see they are worn flat on both sides and will have to be built up with weld and ground back round again like the radius ball rod. The upper bushings looked pretty good but the lower ones were thin as paper, so I'm sure steering and stopping this car was a challenge. More pics when parts are rebuilt.
As you can see they are worn flat on both sides and will have to be built up with weld and ground back round again like the radius ball rod. The upper bushings looked pretty good but the lower ones were thin as paper, so I'm sure steering and stopping this car was a challenge. More pics when parts are rebuilt.
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