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Old 03-02-2020, 09:37 AM   #1
36coupe
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Default Building a new spring, need advise

I need a front spring for the 37 front axle that I have. I went to take the original one apart and more than half the springs where broken.
I’m am going to get a local spring shop to make one.
I’m going to ask for a reverse eye. The original leafs are only 3/16” thick and the replacement will be 1/4”. The main is about 41_1/2” eye to eye.
Do I have to tell him the arch that I want?
I’m thinking about 8 leafs will the same thickness as original.
I want the front to set lower than stock.
I plan to take everything into the shop.
Lindsay
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Old 03-02-2020, 09:50 AM   #2
tubman
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Default Re: Building a new spring, need advise

I think it would be a good idea to look into a complete new spring from someone who specializes in them (I got mine from Posie's, but it was 25 years ago). The fact that the local shop can't match the original leaf thickness would be a red flag for me. Might even be cheaper.
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Old 03-02-2020, 10:34 AM   #3
flatheadmurre
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Default Re: Building a new spring, need advise

Since not going for concourse i would consider a parabel spring the reduced friction gives you a smoother ride.
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Old 03-02-2020, 10:48 AM   #4
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Default Re: Building a new spring, need advise

OK Murre, you got me; what's a "parabel spring"?
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Old 03-02-2020, 11:00 AM   #5
36coupe
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Default Re: Building a new spring, need advise

All I have around here is parts for trucks spring shop. I have a CE spring and it is 1/4” and square cut ends, the local spring shop can build one of them.
The original was 3/16 tapered and had grooves for the grease. A work of art.
The 37 front axle is going in my 36
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Old 03-02-2020, 11:05 AM   #6
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Default Re: Building a new spring, need advise

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Parabel just means you reduced the friction area between the leafs...this takes away the starting threshold before the spring starts moving...gives a smoother ride at light load.
You either bend the ends of the leafs so they only make contact at the outer end or insert a friction reduction material lifting the leafs apart.
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Old 03-02-2020, 11:11 AM   #7
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Default Re: Building a new spring, need advise

Pretty sure Posies has you covered, for reversed eye springs. About $180 from Speedway. All you need is an accurate measurement of the distance between centers the spring perches as mounted on the axle.

Your front end was probably already lowered somewhat from worn and broken springs, so the reverse eye spring may not change the stance much at all. When I replaced the worn front spring on my '41 with Posies reverse eye, it dropped the front end only about 1/2 inch.
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Old 03-03-2020, 07:10 AM   #8
36coupe
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Default Re: Building a new spring, need advise

Quote:
Originally Posted by flatheadmurre View Post
Parabel just means you reduced the friction area between the leafs...this takes away the starting threshold before the spring starts moving...gives a smoother ride at light load.
You either bend the ends of the leafs so they only make contact at the outer end or insert a friction reduction material lifting the leafs apart.
I’m going to see what they can offer at the spring shop.
It is $150 Canadian for a leafspring from the local spring shop in the city. With no shipping and our terrible exchange rate I pretty much have to buy local.
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Old 03-03-2020, 09:04 PM   #9
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Default Re: Building a new spring, need advise

Detroit eaton springs makes them. Started with trucks.

https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/


In theory they can be made. Wish I had more info for you. It can be done.


I'll look up some factory spring specs if no one adds.
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Old 03-03-2020, 10:47 PM   #10
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Default Re: Building a new spring, need advise

37 through 40 are the same.
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Old 03-04-2020, 10:55 AM   #11
Zeke3
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Default Re: Building a new spring, need advise

1940 front springs are a slight bit longer than 37-39 front springs.
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Old 03-04-2020, 11:35 AM   #12
Andy
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Default Re: Building a new spring, need advise

You need to specify the arch so you can get the ride heigth right.
A 1/4" thick leaf is much stiffer than a 3/16" leaf. You may end up with the car sitting higher and riding worse.
It has been a while, but I think the 1/4" leaves will be about twice as stiff (1.78)

Last edited by Andy; 03-04-2020 at 11:56 AM.
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Old 03-05-2020, 05:09 PM   #13
barnfind
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Default Re: Building a new spring, need advise

Someone on the HAMB who has installed a POSIEs might send you one for the shipping costs.
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Old 03-05-2020, 05:43 PM   #14
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Default Re: Building a new spring, need advise

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeke3 View Post
1940 front springs are a slight bit longer than 37-39 front springs.
1940 and 1939 are the same (exact) width.
I can't speak to '37 - '38.
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Old 03-06-2020, 04:50 PM   #15
36coupe
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Default Re: Building a new spring, need advise

I ordered 7 springs 1/4” with Teflon buttons on the end and a reverse eye. Eye to eye would be the same as the perch bolts. The length is the same as original. This for a original 37 axle. I compared what i have being built to a Chassis engineering axle and spring that I have. 7 springs 1/4” same distance eye to eye as the axle perch bolt holes.

I did not have an arch measurement to to compare when I started. I know from experience taking leafs out of a 58 gmc pickup if you take the long ones out the truck it will get bouncey. With the short ones it will stay stiffer.

I know this isn’t original but it will get it on the road and then I can fine tune it. I will have a new spring for less than 150 usd and it will be ready next week.
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Old 03-07-2020, 10:05 AM   #16
Karl Wescott
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Default Re: Building a new spring, need advise

If you have a REALLY good spring shop, let them engineer the spring. Figure out what suspension travel you want, up and down, and where you want the wheel in the fender when parked. They should have the expertise to weigh the car and custom build the spring for the correct arch and spring rate. Posies and Eaton do a great job but they can only guess as to what you want (unless you take the car to them and do a custom build spring as above) and can only stock a limited number of spring rates.
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