Spring Replacement Question

[Lembomw]

I am replacing the front spring (old one had a broken leaf), and am refurbishing the rear spring.
I am going to do what is indicated in Les Andrew’s book on the new front spring (bevel the ends, paint, etc.) and replace the shackles. Looks like all I have to do is press in the new stainless bushing into the spring perch eye and the spring eye.
I re-arched the rear spring, sand blasted, beveled the tips and painted with Por 15 and have new American made shackles. My question is how to handle those rubber grommets (??) that are in the spring and spring perch eyes. New rubber grommets, or whatever you call them, are not listed anywhere. I do not want to go messing around with them until I know how to handle them. Do I push them out with my press and not replace them? I do not see how the new shackle bushing can fit through them. Or do I just press out the shackle bushing leaving the rubber grommet in and press the new busing through the rubber grommet? Or, press the whole thing out then while out insert the bushing into the rubber grommet then press the whole thing back into the sprint eye? I just want to do this once and do it correctly.
Thanks, Mark

[Tom Wesenberg]

There should be NO rubber involved with Model A spring shackles. Buy the right parts from Bert's, Bratton's, Snyder's or your favorite good parts store.

[Lembomw]

Tom, I did purchase the expensive US made shackles with the zerks. They did not come with anything rubber. My question is inregard to the rubber grommets or whatever they are called that are in the spring eye and spring perch eye. I am attempting to attach pictures.

Thanks, Mark

[Tom Wesenberg]

Yes, that's what I mean. There should be no rubber there. Someone installed an aftermarket kit with rubber bushings. If they aren't worn out then I'd just leave them.

If they are worn you'll have to press them out.

[Lembomw]

Excellent. Thank you Tom. The rubber things are dried out so they are coming out.

Thanks again, Mark

[hardtimes]

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Originally Posted by Lembomw

Excellent. Thank you Tom. The rubber things are dried out so they are coming out.

Thanks again, Mark

Mark,
I have a perfect front spring in storage. It is equiped with those that you refer to as rubber. There is a 'teflon' kit that can be bought and that is what I think that you'll find they are...not stock.

[columbiA]

Those rubber shackle kits were common back in the 50,s & 60,s.They were handy when perches were so badly worn that steel bushings would no longer fit.

[Lembomw]

Thank you for the information gentlemen. Today I will see if the stock type shackles will fit properly. As you mentioned, the aftermarket rubber shackle bushing type may be there because the "eyes" may be worn too much.

As usual, the participants on this site provide a wealth of great information.

Thanks much, Mark