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05-24-2018, 06:22 PM | #1 |
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Location: La Porte, IN
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New Front Spring
Ok, I got the new 10 leaf front spring, perchs and shackles installed today. My question is: how tight should the 4 U-bolts be tightened down? And, are lock washers used? I don't remember the U-bolts having lock washers. When I tighten the nuts really tight, it seems there is a big space between the bottom of the nut and the hole for the split pin. Also, when I disconnected the shock link, it seems there is no resistance in the shock arm. It moves up and down freely. Does this mean they need to be rebuilt? Thanks, Fred
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05-24-2018, 09:52 PM | #2 |
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Re: New Front Spring
Do you have the pad on top of the spring between it and the crossmember?
Add some fluid (jack oil) to the shock and see if it works or runs out. |
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05-24-2018, 11:04 PM | #3 |
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Re: New Front Spring
J Franklin, I don't remember there being any thing on top of the old spring. Doesn't the spring just sits in the crossmember? Come to think of it, the old spring had 11 leafs in it. So I guess that would make the spring pack taller!
Last edited by fredski53; 05-24-2018 at 11:23 PM. |
05-24-2018, 11:32 PM | #4 |
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Re: New Front Spring
I don’t know if it’s factory, but some put a greasy/ oily pad between spring and crossmember to prevent wear and squeaking. Similar to the anti squeak material under the body. Do you have all of your leaves? Are they new u bolts, as some new ones are dual purpose and therefore too long.you can redrill the cotter pin hole. There are no washers, as they aren’t needed with cotter pins.
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05-24-2018, 11:39 PM | #5 |
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Re: New Front Spring
Mine had a thick piece of leather on top.
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05-25-2018, 05:44 AM | #6 |
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Re: New Front Spring
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05-25-2018, 07:17 AM | #7 |
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Re: New Front Spring
Use a piece of one leaf from your old spring as a spacer on the bottom with a longer center bolt.
John |
05-25-2018, 07:53 AM | #8 | |
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Re: New Front Spring
Quote:
Sofield |
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05-25-2018, 01:17 PM | #9 |
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Re: New Front Spring
Just a thought. Do you have the hand crank 'guide' in place on top of the crossmember that the u-bolts pass thru. If that is missing it could account for your extra length. I can't tell because the radiator shell is in the way in your picture.
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05-25-2018, 01:42 PM | #10 |
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Re: New Front Spring
I would second this theory
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05-25-2018, 05:16 PM | #11 |
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Re: New Front Spring
If the old spring had 11 and the new one has 10, 11-10=1 which equals why the bolts are long. As a previous poster said put a short leaf on the bottom to take up the extra space. FWIW
Paul in CT |
05-25-2018, 05:37 PM | #12 |
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Re: New Front Spring
If you put the short piece on top of the spring no one will see it.
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05-25-2018, 07:39 PM | #13 |
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Re: New Front Spring
I hate to have to take the spring out again. Can't I just add a few flat washers to make up for the space?
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05-25-2018, 07:55 PM | #14 |
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Re: New Front Spring
There is a lot of discussion in this thread. This fellow had a different issue but look at the posts by Purdy and Tom W.....# 4 and #5
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138786 Look at post #4 and #5 Both mention that the aftermarket/repop spring U bolts are too long and need to be cut. I found this to be true with the rears. I did not re drill for the cotter pin and periodically check the nuts. They have never loosened.
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05-25-2018, 09:51 PM | #15 |
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Re: New Front Spring
From the picture you posted, it looks like the bolts would still be too long even if you added an eleventh leaf as a spacer. There are two different styles of starting crank bearings (crank "guides"). The flat crank bearing, used 1928 through early 1930, takes a square U-bolt. The rounded-top crank bearing, used after February 1930 through 1931, takes a round U-bolt. Could you possibly have a crank bearing and U-bolts that do not match?
For reference, look at Bratton's parts 7330, 7340, 7370, and 7380; and page 4-6 in the 2016 RG&JS. W. Michael |
05-25-2018, 09:59 PM | #16 |
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Re: New Front Spring
Could you tighten the nut all the way tight and then drill a hole to put the cotter pin in? If you wanted to you could grind the extra off the bottom ??
Last edited by Bill in NJ; 05-26-2018 at 06:13 PM. Reason: additional info |
05-25-2018, 10:11 PM | #17 |
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Re: New Front Spring
Washers would do the trick.
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05-26-2018, 08:11 PM | #18 |
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Re: New Front Spring
Couldn't I just use some red or blue thread locker and tighten them down tight?
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05-26-2018, 09:15 PM | #19 |
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Re: New Front Spring
Why are you asking when you know all these solutions would work?
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05-27-2018, 09:59 PM | #20 |
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Re: New Front Spring
Well, I think what I'm looking for is just how tight do you tighten the 4 U-bolt nuts! Is there a specific toque ? On the shackles,the red book says to tighten the castle nuts just enough to install the split pin. Do you do the same with the U-bolts nuts?!
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