Rear Spring
 

I have the rear spring removed from my 1936 Pickup. The spring has been cleaned utilizing 120 grit media. So my question is, should I paint the spring contact surfaces with Teflon paint or coat the bare metal with Dry Graphite Film Lubricant?

Thanks, Norm

Re: Rear Spring
 

I painted mine with Miracle Paint from Bill Hirsch. POR 15 would work as well I think. I am not familiar with Teflon paint, but I think I would use it over the Miracle Paint. Your spring looks to be in great condition.

Re: Rear Spring
 

I(f you are not worried about originality, I would take the spring to a spring shop and have them punch a small hole near the end of the second and third longest leaf and install teflon buttons. Did it when I rebuilt the rear spring on my roadster and really felt the difference in ride quality. When installed they are not easily seen either.

Re: Rear Spring
 

The other thing to do is grease each leave as you assemble the spring then wrap it in DENSO tape,that will keep the grease in and water and road grime out.
Lawrie

Re: Rear Spring
 

In 1936 a hollow center bolt was introduced along with grooved leaves, the center bolt nut has a "grease fitting", it was for spring lube not chassis grease(see page 383 of the service bulletins)

Ford M-4628 spring lube---
77-1/2% ice machine oil (about 10 weight or atf)
20% talc
2-1/2% pulverized asbestos (today that might be hard to find, perhaps graphite would be good)
shake well before use

Re: Rear Spring
 

If you like the idea of slider buttons, I drilled my spring leaves and installed slider buttons from Chassis Eng. Run the drill < 500 rpm and use cutting oil. Rigid works as well as any for this.

Re: Rear Spring
 

Norm, your springs look good from what can be seen, but the most important thing is to clean up the burrs and wear marks between the leaves. After paint but before assembly, slather fifth wheel grease between the leaves. Use gloves, that stuff is sticky and waterproof! It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it.

Kurt's mentioning the center bolt lube point shouldn't be thought of as a primary lube point, as any lube pumped in at that point will never reach where it is needed most, at the ends of the leaves.