Installing front and rear springs

[ScottNW/Ohio]

I put both my springs together that way - leaf at a time - used a threaded rod and a couple of BIG c-clamps
I wish now I had known about using the slip plate between them (it was 25 yrs ago - back when Fordbarn was probably an old shed
Maybe I'll put this on my winter project to do list -

[Peter J]

Also, be sure to taper the ends of the leaves so they won't catch each other in the spring pack.
Pete

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Tom Endy

Slip Plate is marketed by John Deere in some states. Bratton carries it under part number 7250 and calls it graphite lube. Spray it to the underside of the second leaf and work your way to the top.

Tom Endy

Thanks again Tom, BTW Napa has Slip Plate, part #BK33203. Not all stores carry it, but can usually get it in a day or so from their warehouse -- even in Alaska!

[Tom Endy]

Originally Posted by Peter J

Also, be sure to taper the ends of the leaves so they won't catch each other in the spring pack.
Pete

He is absolutely correct. The bottom of each leaf, on the ends, is cut with a 90 degree edge, even the originals. The edge bites into the leaf below and causes a depression. When restoring a spring beside rounding the edge off you should also try to flatten out the depression with a disk sander.

Tom Endy

[FirstA]

Thanks everyone for your help. I borrowed the spring spreader from Dean in Bozeman. Worked great. The only other problem I ran into was mounting the front spring. The castle nuts don't go on far enough on the U bolts to insert the cotter pins. Yes all the parts are correct for my 29. Any suggestion or is this a common thing?

[1931 flamingo]

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How many leaves in the front spring?? Is the spring bolt in the hole in the frame??
Paul in CT

[Tom Wesenberg]

If the top leaf is a replacement be sure the edges of it are beveled to fit the rounded part in the crossmember.

[FirstA]

The front spring is a used 10 leaf that has been powder coated. The bolt is in the hole in the frame. I will check the top leaf.
Thanks for the help!

[FirstA]

I bet I am going to be told my whole problem is the thickness of the powder coating. I'll just find shorter castle nuts and make everything work.

[Russ B]

Originally Posted by FirstA

I bet I am going to be told my whole problem is the thickness of the powder coating. I'll just find shorter castle nuts and make everything work.

Yes, powder coat thickness can affect fits. I spent a couple plus hours last week just fitting spring clamps on the lower few leafs on my front spring. I had to file an elongated hole in the clamps and carefully knock down some of the powder coat where it was not visible. ...hope the shorter nuts work for you.