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Old 08-17-2019, 11:16 PM   #21
Y-Blockhead
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

Here is a Leaf Spring Greaser I fabbed to lube my springs. Patterned after one designed for Austins, Bentleys and Rolls. After lubing I installed spring covers.
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Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 08-18-2019 at 11:43 PM.
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Old 08-17-2019, 11:46 PM   #22
alexiskai
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

The Model T and other cars that have the springs exposed can be greased with this very elegant tool.

There are also a lot of variants on this tool that separates the leaves in a controlled fashion.

I just found this post by Tom Wesenberg where he mentions a problem I also noticed, which is that the rear springs are tucked way up inside the cross-member, making it difficult to access them for greasing. That's why I originally was hoping to remove the hanger nuts, to try to drop the spring down so I could get between the leaves.

The post includes a photo of his greasing tool, although I can't really see how it works.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showp...90&postcount=2

That's going to be the real trick, getting the grease up in the midsection that's tucked into the cross-member.
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Old 08-18-2019, 03:00 PM   #23
1931 flamingo
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

In the above pic you tighten the handle after the tool is positioned against the leaves, it spreads the leaves apart, after the leaves are spread a bit, insert grease. I picked one up very similar a while back.
Paul in CT
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Old 08-19-2019, 10:20 PM   #24
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

Just squirt ATF or oil on the springs and go for a drive. The oil will migrate between the leaves. When I first bought my 29 Tudor, the springs were bone dry and lightly rusted, so the car rode like a lumber wagon. I squirted oil on them and drove it over the bumpy paths in the junk yard. It now rides quite smooth. Squirt them down a few times over a few weeks, and they will get lubed.
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Old 08-20-2019, 10:16 AM   #25
Chris Haynes
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Ford-Mo...kAAOSwrENdUIrv
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Old 08-20-2019, 11:38 AM   #26
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

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A number of years ago a tool was available that was driven between the spring leaves that had a grease fitting attached.I took my springs apart ground the gouges smooth and greased them with graphite grease and installed covers.
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Old 08-20-2019, 01:24 PM   #27
alexiskai
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

This looks like the tool Y-Blockhead was talking about. Marked "Herbrand."

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Old 08-21-2019, 01:48 PM   #28
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

OK, all the discussion about specialized spring lubrication tools got me intrigued, so this weekend I'm going to attempt to build my own spring separator using a 4" C-clamp, a steel rod that I'm going to cut/grind into the wedge shapes, and some JB weld. Will post an update if it's successful.
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Old 08-21-2019, 11:40 PM   #29
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

Quote:
Originally Posted by alexiskai View Post
This looks like the tool Y-Blockhead was talking about. Marked "Herbrand."

Yes, that one is similar to the one I patterned the one I fabbed.

Here is one on eBay but they are easy (and cheap) to make. Beside, I get a certain satisfaction of making specialty tools, if I can.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-VINTAG...MAAOSwL49b8ucZ

Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 08-21-2019 at 11:49 PM.
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Old 09-02-2019, 09:29 PM   #30
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

Following up, here is the process I actually used that actually worked:
  1. Spread some newspapers under the axle before you get started
  2. Detach the brake rods and shock arms at the backing plates
  3. Jack up the car as high as possible
  4. Get jack stands under the frame, let the axle come down until the wheels touch
  5. Loosen lug nuts and remove the wheels
  6. Remove bolts from spring clamps, good time to change these out as they're often rusted
  7. Remove spring clamps if possible (rear pair came off, front pair did not)
  8. Loosen, but do not remove, the hanger nuts on the U-bolts
  9. Using a small and a large flathead screwdriver, plus a couple of wooden or plastic shims if you have them, work your way up first one side of the spring and then the other
  10. Hammer the small screwdriver under the end of each leaf to free it up, then alternate small and large, working your way toward the center of the leaf; if the leaf is long, leave a couple of shims in place so the whole leaf stays open
  11. Once you've gone as far as you can, spray Kano Penephite into the gap; use a shop rag to block the far side so you don't make a mess
  12. Once you've laid down a good coating, back out your wedges and shims, then move on to the next leaf
  13. For the rear spring, use a floor jack to lift one side of the axle up; this will bring the leaves on the other side farther down out of the cross-member for easier access
  14. When finished, bolt the spring clamps back in and jack up the axle to make sure the springs are flexing smoothly
  15. Put the wheels back on and take the jack stands out
  16. Once the car is back on its wheels, tighten the hanger nuts evenly in a cross pattern, then install cotter pins
  17. Remember to re-attach brake rods and shock arms
  18. Optional: install spring covers so you never have to do this again.
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Old 09-03-2019, 05:31 PM   #31
Ted Duke
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

Do you think your great granpa lubed the springs?


KISS



Spray the springs on both sides with https://www.brattons.com/graphite-lube.html and drive it.


Ted
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Old 09-03-2019, 05:40 PM   #32
Ruth
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ted Duke View Post
Do you think your great granpa lubed the springs?

KISS

Spray the springs on both sides with https://www.brattons.com/graphite-lube.html and drive it.


Ted
Different mind set I guess. I drive my modern as transportation (like my great grandpa drove his Model A) but I tend to 'Baby' my Town Sedan.
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Old 09-04-2019, 08:00 AM   #33
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ted Duke View Post
Do you think your great granpa lubed the springs?
If the springs were squeaking, I assume my great-grandpa would have taken it to the repair shop like a normal person. I don't get the critique here though - the Bratton's product you linked to says to spray it on both sides of each leaf, which is exactly what I'm doing. The rest of the process is just a workaround for how to do this without taking the springs off the car, which is what you're "supposed" to do. End result is the same.
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Old 09-04-2019, 11:29 AM   #34
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

Indeed, spraying the outside of the spring with a dry lube spray isn't going to accomplish much between the leaves. I removed my back spring and after cleaning and painting the overlap areas with a longer loose center bolt poured some old motor oil on it (like grandpa probably would have). It worked out well.

I did the same to the front except the clean and paint and now I have rusty oil dripping out of it. Half measures...
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Old 09-05-2019, 01:47 PM   #35
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ted Duke View Post
Do you think your great granpa lubed the springs?
Ted
My grandfather greased everything: mechanicals, politicians, building inspectors, police, maî·tre d's, vendors, ad infinitum. Made for a real smooooth ride through life.
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Old 09-05-2019, 02:24 PM   #36
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Default Re: Sanity check on lubing springs in place

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ted Duke View Post
Do you think your great granpa lubed the springs?


KISS



Spray the springs on both sides with https://www.brattons.com/graphite-lube.html and drive it.


Ted

When your Great Granpa drove his Model A it wasn't NINETY years old !!!

(Just the new guy chiming in)
ET
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