Front leaf spring

[Vanspeed]

Hi gang,
Working on my ‘29 roadster. Just got the back all back together and I posted that I was missing some top springs on my front spring. After looking at my ‘29 coupe I noticed the spring clamps are on the 5th spring. This spring has clamps on the 8th spring. I do not believe this is the correct front spring. Judging by the ones missing this front spring has a ton more than I am used to seeing. Am I correct that this is not the correct spring?

[Joe K]

Standard Model A front spring has 10 leaves.

Clamp/bracket is on the 5th from bottom, and there is a dimple/hole there to catch the dimple pressed into the bracket.

A drawing of the spring is part of a previous post. Thanks to Brentwood Bob a difficult to read version is attached to https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...t=front+spring

The drawing shows the construction details. You will note that the spring widths are all the same for all leaves, except for the uppermost which has the top corners "eased" to fit the frame cross member. But the various leaves are of at least two thicknesses - I'll leave the drawing for you to determine what exactly you have from Bob's drawing.

Note also that "aftermarket" springs have been around. I myself played with a front spring bought from JC Whitney "back in the day" which had only eight leaves and which was surprisingly "stiffer" than the original front spring - or any others I have bought subsequently.

I have joked about this JC Whitney spring and called it a "trailer spring" - which might have been its original design/marketplace.

A similar observation from "Model A Front Springs" seen available on Ebay, both standard and "reverse eye." The tendency seems to go thicker on the leaves in economy, with less of them.

Also keep in mind that Ford offered "12 leaf" front springs "for use on automobiles subject to severe service."

Also keep in mind that Ford regularly supplied "12 leaf" front springs in the 1-3/4 automobile width for AA trucks produced in the span 1928-October 1929, possibly longer. These may or may not be the 12 leaf spring used on the automobiles and share only the top-most leaf with the 10 leaf car spring. See https://aafords.com/aa-chassis/aa-53...131-1927-1929/ for details/thicknesses of Truck front springs.

After October 1929 Ford offered a 1-3/4 "car width" 18 leaf spring as a service upgrade to those earlier trucks/owners wishing to confirm an "upgrade" in capacity.

I'm telling you about these others as you may have "bits and pieces" of "other" springs.

The 1930s through the late 50s were a "busy" Model A time, with a lot of "this fits so why not use it" attitude. What they substituted MAY have been an improvement - or possibly not.


Joe K

[Vanspeed]

I do believe this was the optional 12 leaf spring. The car was put together using a donor chassis and axles so I am not shocked it has the wrong spring. I will keep a lookout for an original 10 leaf spring.

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Vanspeed

I do believe this was the optional 12 leaf spring. The car was put together using a donor chassis and axles so I am not shocked it has the wrong spring. I will keep a lookout for an original 10 leaf spring.

Vanspeed - Good luck finding an original spring. When I took my front spring apart three of the leaves were broken. I had a heck of a time finding a decent spring, and ended up obtaining three others and scavenging good leaves from them. Also, often springs have grooves worn in the tops of the leaves from years of unlubricated movement of the leaf above. Those grooves should be ground out to enable smooth movement, and the leading lower edges of the leaves should have an angle ground into them so they don't act like chisels on the leaf below. I painted the rubbing surfaces of my leaves with graphite paint before reassembly.

If you're not set on "original", a reasonable alternative is the EATON Detroit 8-leaf equivalent to the 10-leaf spring. Same spring rate, but thicker leaves.

Unfortunately Travis Cook (A-Springs.com) is no longer making springs.

[Joe K]

Keep in mind that the front axle was identical between the 28-29 cars and the 28-29 AA truck. The only thing that changed between them was the spindles/backing plates/hubs/brake drums which were replaced as part of a "Service Recall" done late in 1928 at no cost by Ford for AA Owners.

You can tell the difference between A hub components at 5-1/2" lug bolt center/center distance and AA hub at 6-1/2" lug bolt center distance. Also A lug studs are 1/2" and AA lug studs are 3/4".

I recently acquired a 28-29 AA front axle missing the steering arms on both sides. These would be the same as the A steering arms - of which I have a spare pair.


Joe K

[katy]

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Originally Posted by Joe K

A lug studs are 9/16"

!/2" not 9/16"

[Joe K]

Originally Posted by katy

!/2" not 9/16"

As you say 1/2."


My Owner says I take correction well.


Joe K

[Joe K]

For Vanspeed and his inquiry WANTED for a 10 leaf front spring.

Elsewhere I have a thread which relates to Travis Cook - who USED to be THE SOURCE for a correctly made front spring.

Old springs frequently have "wear" and "set" and may or may not include the original "preload" which on the front is less than the rears, but does exist.

Alas Travis has hung up his track shoes and one has to seek other sources.

The thread earlier: In time and a little gamble, I ended up getting a front spring from Macs - but this before their own more recent "consolidation." (OBTW, the Macs spring was torn down and I found the leaf thicknesses/dimensions to be consistent with the Ford drawing - so there is some chance of it not being yet another "trailer spring" as has been sold by others in the past.)

So that source MAY be there. Most vendors are good about quality of their sold product, but springs are difficult and expensive to ship, and a return on a less than quality product might be a problem.

A query before placing your order might include "does the spring conform to the Ford Drawing?" The seller should be familiar enough to answer in the affirmative before you place your order.

The drawing number is not shown but Brent in 10-uh-C gives us the print at https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showp...38&postcount=6

Joe K

[Vanspeed]

I am going to look for an original spring first. I rebuilt my coupe’s front leaf with chamfered edges and grease in between the leaves. It handles great.