Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

I wanted to ask what you guys would do to lube the springs without removing them from the car. I just got her running and I would like to be able to drive her for the summer before really tearing into the springs and removing them.
So this would be a temporary solution.

I was thinking I could unload each side at a time and either spray Slip-plate, or some type of PTFE Dry Teflon Lubricant on and in between the leaves.
Which would be better?

I have been spraying them with PB blaster to get them moving and that worked really well.

Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

They make a spring greaser that wedges/clamps between the leaves, then uses a grease gun to force grease in. Haven't used one myself.
Here is a greaser on ebay right now, different type though...http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tomahawk-Mfg...YAAOSwr~lYq5HM

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

Thanks Eagle,
I have seen those, but I didn't want to spend that much on one yet.

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

Jack up the car and support by the frame so the suspension unloads.

Take a tapered chisel or such and spread open each leaf to lubricate...

Wear gooogles

Removing the spring clamps may help

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

This works to spread the leaves:

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

My 29 Tudor was bone dry and had the typical red rust showing on the springs edges. It rode like a lumber wagon. Just squirting oil all over the springs made a world of difference.

I see restored and nice original cars at the meets with dry springs and rust showing, and can only shake my head and wonder.

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

There is a lube point in the hand crank bearing after some time in 29 that helps lube the front spring--- while I had the oil can I squirted the springs --- front and back , made a mess, then after 20 miles I had to tighten the shock adjustment some to stop the bounce, made the ride better too

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

I unloaded my springs, as Mitch suggested, but sprayed mine with a graphite lube that I got from my local NAPA store. Admittedly, not as good as grease, but sure stopped the squeaking and red rust. At least for now. I am about due for a reapplication too. I think they have both a liquid and a dry product in a spray can. I think I used both, thinking the liquid would penetrate better and carry some of the dry in with it.

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

I think that would lube the saddle contact point more then the actual leave separation....

Most dont know about that hole

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

Thanks guys. I guess I thought that if I unloaded the springs, without taking them off the car, and not using a spring spreader I could work in some type of lube.

What would be the best type of lube to actually use in that instance?

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

I just oiled that first over several drives and watched the oil spread down the leaves--- I did seal around the hole to the frame when putting on the crank bearing so all the oil went down to the spring

This is also the same time I realize d that a good squirt of oil in the dist oiler oiled the top bushing

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

Oil will seep in and spread to do a great job. Use an oil can to squirt, or use a 1/2" or 1" wide paint brush dipped in drain oil. Drain oil will work as well as new oil. Do it in the grass or dirt so you don't have drops on your driveway.

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

I like that.

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

I've often seen people suggest here that a seized nut or bolt can be freed with a mix of ATF and acetone. Would that not work on the springs?

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

It will work to get the springs moving and help with running rust but long term, I think ATF is too thin to provide much lubrication.

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

Atf will work, in 1936 Ford put fittings on the centerbolt for spring lube, the spec for spring lube was somethiimg like 77% ice machine oil, the balance talc with a touch of ground asbestos, ice machine oil is about the weight of ATF, talc is a dry lube/ polishing media used in some slip plate products

If you don't have properly working shocke leave your springs dry---the dry springs dampen movement in the place of shocks

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

Very clever and well done. Does the entire tube fill up with grease before it needs to squirts out?

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?
 

Re: Non-removal leaf spring lubricant?