rebuilt my old springs

My original springs were in very good shape, IMO, so I just dismantled them, had 'em blasted, primed and painted 'em, and reassembled with new pins, then touched up the paint again. I have new bushings, just gotta get those in and they're ready to go!

I think they look pretty good, and since there will be no rust anywhere, I should be able to swap them out pretty quick when I can afford some new ones. Probably the Rancho 1" lift.

 

Looks like new ! Interesting design on the leafs, I've never seen any with a groove down the middle like that

 

Pretty simple really.

Removed the old bushings with a piece of 3/8" allthread, couple nuts, flat washers, and a big socket.

Wirebrushed the nuts and threads of the center pins (bolts), and removed the nuts.

Used an oxy-acetylene torch to heat the clamp thingys and bent 'em open with a big pair of channelock pliers. They're just soft mild steel, not hardened like the leaves.

Knocked 'em all apart with hammer, drove the old pins out. Took the old pins and bushings to a local truck leaf spring place here in Denver, he had 'em all in stock.

Took all the leaves and had 'em sandblasted. Primed everything with Rustoleum brown primer, painted 'em with Rustoleum Satin Black. Looks exactly like the 60% gloss "chassis black". I touched up some places on my powdercoated frame, and you can't tell the difference at all.

Reassembly was the hardest part, didn't have enough hands or a helper. Some of those big-jawed welding Vise Grips would make it a lot easier. For the clamps, I just beat 'em back closed with a BFH and an anvil.

I also lightly coated the leaves with Permatex Anti-Seize, where they'll rub together. I hope that will help lubricate them so they'll move easier, but it sure was messy. Not sure I'd do that again.

 

AFAIK, they're the stock, original springs that Willys put on it in 1956. The grooves did a great job of collecting mud and promoting rust. They're actually pitted pretty good, but not enough to compromise them. I hope.

 

Looks great!! Same as the ones as my '56 except I had 12 leaf fronts and 10 leaf rears. Unless you counted by the piece when I took the u-bolts off! Age was not kind to them.

 

They look great Ron!


Paul

 

Well done

 

Thanks guys! Maybe I do have a little bit of Dutch in me somewhere!

 

My '60 has them on the front like that. Rear ones are flat.
Suppose the groove was to help keep the leaves from twisting apart when doing all the off road stuff?
:hurrican: