40 Ford truck helper springs? Whatzit?
 

These came off of a 40 Ford truck rear end. The best I can think is, maybe they are helper springs? Should have taken a picture before I took everything apart -coulda, shoulda, woulda.

The spring mounted directly over the axle. It was spaced on each side with oak blocks between the axle and spring shackles. The yoke shaped piece fit aroun the bottom of each axle houseing, with the tail end of the yoke propped against the banjo housing. Seems to me like it would have put a lot of unwanted stress on top of the axle housings and the bottom of the banjo, but maybe that's how it was done??

Re: 40 Ford truck helper springs? Whatzit?
 

My '33 has the same set up, I'll try to post some pics

Re: 40 Ford truck helper springs? Whatzit?
 

Re: 40 Ford truck helper springs? Whatzit?
 

Re: 40 Ford truck helper springs? Whatzit?
 

That's not really it, Al. The springs in my picture were literally on top of the axles, not on the perched behind the axle. That's what I thought was so weird about them. Like I said, the yokes actually clamped around each axle housing. The round end grabbed the axle and was the lower shackle in the set up. The stem end of the yokes butted up to the banjo at an angle. I thought the stem end was attached until I knocled off the tar and dirt.

Re: 40 Ford truck helper springs? Whatzit?
 

I wonder if it was the same as the lower set of leaves in your picture, but for some reason they were moved over the axle?