Old spring trick

[cuzncletus]

40 years ago I used to help an old man in Southwest Virginia who specialized in T's and A's. He was crippled by arthritis. I wasn't much use except for lifting heavy things, but I tried to listen and learn. One trick he used was to grind a shallow depression in the end of spring leaves, then secure a roller from a needle bearing in the groove with some heavy grease right before assembling the springs. It was to allow the springs to move without binding at the ends. He said it was an old trick, but I never heard of it before or since. Just curious if anyone had ever heard of this or tried it.