The Ford Barn

Lembomw · 01-20-2012, 08:24 AM

A couple of spring questions. I did a thread search but nothing that helps me.
Yesterday I removed the U bolts that hold the front spring to the frame so I could separate the whole front suspension to get at the frame so I could straighten it. The car is completely disassembled, engine and transmission is out. The frame had a slight sag at the usual location. All straight now.
Once the front end was separated from the frame a few of the top leaves fell off the spring (the center spring bolt was rusted away). The third spring was broken across the middle where the hole is. Can I tig this broken leaf together or will welding cause some sort of structural/safety issue?
Can the rear end be separated from the frame the same way? Remove the U bolts and roll the rear end with spring still attached out from under the frame?
I understand that removing the springs from the shackles while on the car is dangerous and a spring spreader should be used, but if I leave the springs attached to the car can I take the spring clamps off and remove the leaves one at a time until I get down to the last one that is attached to the shackle. There does not seem to be much tension on the front spring. The back spring will have much more tension so perhaps taking is apart one leaf at a time while still attached to the shackles is not a good idea.
Your guidance will be most appreciated.

Mark

01-20-2012, 08:24 AM	#1
Lembomw Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 162	Spring Questions A couple of spring questions. I did a thread search but nothing that helps me. Yesterday I removed the U bolts that hold the front spring to the frame so I could separate the whole front suspension to get at the frame so I could straighten it. The car is completely disassembled, engine and transmission is out. The frame had a slight sag at the usual location. All straight now. Once the front end was separated from the frame a few of the top leaves fell off the spring (the center spring bolt was rusted away). The third spring was broken across the middle where the hole is. Can I tig this broken leaf together or will welding cause some sort of structural/safety issue? Can the rear end be separated from the frame the same way? Remove the U bolts and roll the rear end with spring still attached out from under the frame? I understand that removing the springs from the shackles while on the car is dangerous and a spring spreader should be used, but if I leave the springs attached to the car can I take the spring clamps off and remove the leaves one at a time until I get down to the last one that is attached to the shackle. There does not seem to be much tension on the front spring. The back spring will have much more tension so perhaps taking is apart one leaf at a time while still attached to the shackles is not a good idea. Your guidance will be most appreciated. Mark