Leaf Spring Restoration

[SoulsShadow]

I've been working on restoring the leaf springs from my '66 for the past three weeks. Along the way I learned some valuable lessons:

1) Don't waste time trying to undo any bolts...just get a grinder/cutoff wheel and cut those suckers off

2) The pressed in rubber bushings can be easily removed if you drill through the rubber several times around

3) The leftover metal sleeves from the rubber bushings can be removed with a hacksaw cut and a bit of prying with a screwdriver

4) You can buy sheets of teflon very easily

For my restoration I removed the springs, split apart the leaves, sandblasted, and painted them up with POR-15. I decided to make custom spacers between the leaves using some 1/16" thick teflon sheets. You can see the results in the pictures below. Next step...painting the frame and re-installing.

BEFORE:






AFTER:

[DukeRoche]

That looks really sharp. I removed mine a while back and still haven't gotten the bushings out. I was going to take it to a welder and have him burn them out. I agree with you on the grinding bolts off cause trying to remove them just wears you out. Looks very good man...where did you get the Teflon idea?

[SoulsShadow]

There was a piece of nylon in the old ones and it made me think that teflon would be better since it's more slippery. It isn't as resistant to cuts as nylon is, so time will tell how good of an idea it is.

[rcb1020]

thought I'd pass this along for anybody wanting to buy new springs , pretty cheaper reasonable prices , I've bought 1 set of rear leaf and 2 sets of front coils from these guys. A 4wd will use a different front coil than a 2wd

I bought a pair of rear leaf ( 5 leaf ) $250 and a pair of front coils $75 ..plus the shackles $44. They are very reasonable on shipping also ( $30 to $50 ) for the lower 48 , the closer you live to Michigan the cheaper the shipping.

I have used them before , I deal with Tom 989 826-3682

http://mcveighstrucksprings.com/

[SoulsShadow]

That's a damn good price. I couldn't find them for less than $200 each. I guess if I don't like how my restored ones perform I know where to go. Thanks!

[rcb1020]

Your welcome ! It's a small town in Northern Michigan , I've been to the shop before and had stuff shipped. Very fair on pricing , when I started looking at other places I was getting the same high prices you were finding.

[BarnieTrk]

I decided to make custom spacers between the leaves using some 1/16" thick teflon sheets.

SS,
How do the teflon sections stay in place?
Are you planning to use some type of adhesive to keep them from 'crawling' out from between the spring leafs?

BarnieTrk