Rear roadster spring

[brokenspoke]

Can someone school me on the roadster spring.. I believe they are all 7 leaves....my question is if there is a difference between a 1928 and a 1929,1930, 1931? thanks

[d.j. moordigian]

brokenspoke,

Try this, should cover all cars....BTW, no difference.

. .. Rear spring exploded drawing....

didn't work, look in search, at the top of the page.

[dave in australia]

The roadster spring is the same for all years. It has seven leaves plus a spacer, so the chassis clamps are the same as a coupe or phaeton.

[brokenspoke]

I was told that the roadster spring is shaped differently, from all the others

[msmaron]

The Dummy plate is shaped different.. more square ends that is all

[brokenspoke]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I was told by a old timer that in 1928 the roadster had a spring shaped like a Model T spring..then changed it to the more common roadster spring....any one have a picture of it if this is true

[dave in australia]

Originally Posted by brokenspoke

I was told by a old timer that in 1928 the roadster had a spring shaped like a Model T spring..then changed it to the more common roadster spring....any one have a picture of it if this is true

The different shape comes from the different number of leaves amounting to different spring pressure on the main leaf.

[brokenspoke]

The "True" roadster spring has a different configuration than the 8 or 10 leave springs....the amout of leaves does not change that....My orginal question is if there is a difference between 1928 and the others, 29, 30, and 31 on the roadsters?

[d.j. moordigian]

Marco told me NO, they are all the same. Seven leaves on the top and a dummy
on the bottom. If you are looking at the drawing in the Service Bulletins? It left
me confused also, my roadster spring " looks " like an ordinary spring ( same shape ).
If you did the search, from my first post, you can measure the springs to see if you
have the correct one. Still frustrated ?

[brokenspoke]

I just found a ( A springs.com ) he has a true roadster spring listed...he says that they are different configuration but the same cord length, I'm still confused yes

[Mikeinnj]

I bought a 7 leaf roadster spring from (A springs.com) and it only had 7 leaves and did not include the dummy leaf that is necessary to make it a true roadster spring. The ends of each leaf were not beveled, so the whole spring had to be disassembled and I beveled each leaf so they would not wear on the leaves below them. The paint quality was terrible so the leaves had to be sanded,cleaned, primed and painted, greased and reassembled.....

[hardtimes]

Marco..told me 7 leafs on top and filler on the bottom Question:
What difference or problem, if any, to locate filler/dummy leaf on bottom or top of the roadster spring? Does it have to do with contour of rear cross member?

[brokenspoke]

Originally Posted by Mikeinnj

I bought a 7 leaf roadster spring from (A springs.com) and it only had 7 leaves and did not include the dummy leaf that is necessary to make it a true roadster spring. The ends of each leaf were not beveled, so the whole spring had to be disassembled and I beveled each leaf so they would not wear on the leaves below them. The paint quality was terrible so the leaves had to be sanded,cleaned, primed and painted, greased and reassembled.....

Was the spring a different configeration from standard spring?

[d.j. moordigian]

..." configuration "... as in shape ? I asked you this in my second response,
are YOU looking at the picture in the Service Bulletins ?

Maybe somebody can post a photo of a Roadster rear spring...PLEASE

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by hardtimes

Marco..told me 7 leafs on top and filler on the bottom Question:
What difference or problem, if any, to locate filler/dummy leaf on bottom or top of the roadster spring? Does it have to do with contour of rear cross member?

If you put the dummy leaf on top it will jack up the rear of the car by that thickness.

[Ron in Quincy]

Al original A spring leaves were tapered on the ends; replacement springs leaves, front or rear, will usually be square cut on the ends.

I believe a original Roadster main leaf rear spring had a different shape than the main leaf spring in a 8 leaf rear spring.

As said above, the roadster 7 leaf rear spring had a dummy spring on the bottom; the u-bolts and spacer bars were the same as used on 8 leaf springs installed in Coupes and Phaetons.

Some where among my litature I have an article that Ford issued (sorry can't seem to locate) . The just of the article was : the Roadster rear spring will no longer be produced, the article went on to say to use a 8 leaf rear spring, it told which leaf to remove, and to make a dummy leaf for the bottom. I recall the leaf to be removed was above the spring clamps so the clamps wouldn't have to be changed.

I made the above modification on my 28 Roadster back in 1968 as I couldn't locate an original 7 leaf spring. I put lots of miles on the Roadster and never had a problem nor did this spring change the appearance of the Roadster regarding side view.

Ron

[Mikeinnj]

I bought a 7 leaf roadster spring from (A springs.com) and it only had 7 leaves and did not include the dummy leaf that is necessary to make it a true roadster spring. The ends of each leaf were not beveled, so the whole spring had to be disassembled and I beveled each leaf so they would not wear on the leaves below them. The paint quality was terrible so the leaves had to be sanded,cleaned, primed and painted, greased and reassembled.....

"Was the spring a different configeration from standard spring?"

I do not know, I had no original to compare it with....

[Geo. H]

If I'm interepreting the parts price list correctly, the main leaf was the same on all years, 28-31, and was used on several body styles including the 40A & B. I bought a new spring from Snyders for my roadster. I took it apart, sand blasted it, sprayed the mating surface with slip spray, reassembled and painted. It works.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

If you put the dummy leaf on top it will jack up the rear of the car by that thickness.

Tom,
Of course! Thanks..brain lock.

[brokenspoke]

Originally Posted by Ron in Quincy

Al original A spring leaves were tapered on the ends; replacement springs leaves, front or rear, will usually be square cut on the ends.

I believe a original Roadster main leaf rear spring had a different shape than the main leaf spring in a 8 leaf rear spring.

As said above, the roadster 7 leaf rear spring had a dummy spring on the bottom; the u-bolts and spacer bars were the same as used on 8 leaf springs installed in Coupes and Phaetons.

Some where among my litature I have an article that Ford issued (sorry can't seem to locate) . The just of the article was : the Roadster rear spring will no longer be produced, the article went on to say to use a 8 leaf rear spring, it told which leaf to remove, and to make a dummy leaf for the bottom. I recall the leaf to be removed was above the spring clamps so the clamps wouldn't have to be changed.

I made the above modification on my 28 Roadster back in 1968 as I couldn't locate an original 7 leaf spring. I put lots of miles on the Roadster and never had a problem nor did this spring change the appearance of the Roadster regarding side view.

Ron

So its true that the true 1928 roadster spring had a different shape. I wonder if the roadster sit lower using it? I appreicate your effort in answering my question

[d.j. moordigian]

NO, it used the same MAIN leaf as some other springs....look at the chart!!!

NO different shape.

[brokenspoke]

Originally Posted by d.j. moordigian

NO, it used the same MAIN leaf as some other springs....look at the chart!!!

NO different shape.

I dont have a chart........

All I'm asking and it appears true that in 1928 Ford had a different shaped roadster spring and changed it sometime later

[dave in australia]

Originally Posted by brokenspoke

I dont have a chart........

All I'm asking and it appears true that in 1928 Ford had a different shaped roadster spring and changed it sometime later

Read one of my previous answers, the different shape is a result of the different number of leaves putting a different pressure on the main. I have three roadster springs in my collection that I have disassembled, as well as approx fifteen phaeton springs, three fordor springs, two tudor springs, two ute springs, plus some others that I don't know the original body style. All have been disassembled, all mains are the same shape. All are from 28-29 vehicles.

[Ron in Quincy]

I suggest people refer to the drawings showing the difference in rear spring ass'y which appear in " The Ford Model "A" "As Henry Built It", page 38 (I have the second addition). It lists the 7 leaf Rear Spring Ass'y as A-5560-C used under 40-A and B Roadster; the shape of the main leaf, unless I'm going blind, is certainly a different shape than the other rear spring ass'y.

Ron

[brokenspoke]

Originally Posted by Ron in Quincy

I suggest people refer to the drawings showing the difference in rear spring ass'y which appear in " The Ford Model "A" "As Henry Built It", page 38 (I have the second addition). It lists the 7 leaf Rear Spring Ass'y as A-5560-C used under 40-A and B Roadster; the shape of the main leaf, unless I'm going blind, is certainly a different shape than the other rear spring ass'y.

Ron

Thanks Ron....I went to a friends house and he has a Model a restorer mag form 1967...Inside it has Ford Service Bulletin for July August 1931 listing springs used under Model A's....It clearly shows the spring I had a question about...its a A5560-C spring its a different shape...

[Marco Tahtaras]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by Ron in Quincy

I suggest people refer to the drawings showing the difference in rear spring ass'y which appear in " The Ford Model "A" "As Henry Built It", page 38 (I have the second addition). It lists the 7 leaf Rear Spring Ass'y as A-5560-C used under 40-A and B Roadster; the shape of the main leaf, unless I'm going blind, is certainly a different shape than the other rear spring ass'y.

Ron

As Dave attempted to explain, they only look different AFTER assembly. Each leaf moving from bottom to top has a tighter curve. That means that every time you add/clamp another leaf above, more curvature is forced into the leaves below and the main leaf spring eyes become closer together. Since the Roadster spring has the least AND thinnest (weakest) leaves it has the flattest appearance when assembled.

[brokenspoke]

Your missing my question.....I had a old timer tell me that in early 1928 Model A the roadsters had a spring shaped like a Model T spring....sometime during the year Henry Ford changed the design to as its now.....I understand the typical roadster spring, as I have one in my roadster....I was wanting to find a example of early spring if its true what the old timer said ...the diagram of the A 5560-C spring in the magazine is clearly a different shape, just like the T spring.....nothing like the spring in my 1928 roadster....I know Ford did not waste anything.....Its interesting reasearching some of the things Henry Ford did....

[dave in australia]

Just because someone old says so, doesn't mean it is so. It has since been proven that the world is not flat.

[brokenspoke]

Originally Posted by dave in australia

Just because someone old says so, doesn't mean it is so. It has since been proven that the world is not flat.

I agree..... dam all I was asking is a simple question about a model A that I have....trying to learn something....I dont know why the picture in the book shows a different spring shape......and I agree with you that just because you said so doesent mean it didnt happen....thanks for all your help

[d.j. moordigian]

brokenspoke,

I've looked at that same picture for OVER 40 years, that's why I asked.
My personal take on that pic ( for the roadster rear spring ONLY ), it is
showing the spring...INSTALLED.

Dudley

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by brokenspoke

Your missing my question.....I had a old timer tell me that in early 1928 Model A the roadsters had a spring shaped like a Model T spring....sometime during the year Henry Ford changed the design to as its now.....I understand the typical roadster spring, as I have one in my roadster....I was wanting to find a example of early spring if its true what the old timer said ...the diagram of the A 5560-C spring in the magazine is clearly a different shape, just like the T spring.....nothing like the spring in my 1928 roadster....I know Ford did not waste anything.....Its interesting researching some of the things Henry Ford did....

Sorry, we've drifted a bit. To answer your question the spring wasn't changed other than the clamps. I don't have the specifics as to exactly when in 1927 the Roadster spring as we know it was specified for production but can say with certainty it was in production by December 1927.

[Richard Redmond]

Well - irrespective of the shape of a 28 versus 29 Roadster rear spring - I have learnt a lot - thank you all.

When I tore down my very tatty Uruguyan 29 Roadster, I found a short leaf of spring metal on TOP of the assemblage (plus a broken leaf in the middle). I did some research, had the broken leaf repaired at a local forge and reassembled with grease and bevelling etc.etc.

I THREW away the short top leaf as it obviously had no function! The new clamps were a poor fit as the nuts rode up high and the cotter pins would not engage the castellated nuts. Hmmm - strange, obviously inferior repro parts.

Now you tell me the 29 Roadster had a short dummy leaf under the assembly - ah DUH!

Richard

[brokenspoke]

Originally Posted by d.j. moordigian

brokenspoke,

I've looked at that same picture for OVER 40 years, that's why I asked.
My personal take on that pic ( for the roadster rear spring ONLY ), it is
showing the spring...INSTALLED.

Dudley

I just saw the picture the other day.....my 28 roadster rear spring doesent look anything like the one in the picture....I have a friend also who has a 28 and his doesent either....yesterday I saw a 28 roadster at the Early Ford Store where its spring has a different shape like the one in the photo..the owner does not know the total history on the car...how ever it sits lower....at first I thought it was a Model T spring.....but its not....

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Richard Redmond

Well - irrespective of the shape of a 28 versus 29 Roadster rear spring - I have learnt a lot - thank you all.

When I tore down my very tatty Uruguyan 29 Roadster, I found a short leaf of spring metal on TOP of the assemblage (plus a broken leaf in the middle). I did some research, had the broken leaf repaired at a local forge and reassembled with grease and bevelling etc.etc.

I THREW away the short top leaf as it obviously had no function! The new clamps were a poor fit as the nuts rode up high and the cotter pins would not engage the castellated nuts. Hmmm - strange, obviously inferior repro parts.

Now you tell me the 29 Roadster had a short dummy leaf under the assembly - ah DUH!

Richard

I hope you still have that top leaf. It is needed for 3 reasons:

1. It is a spring leaf and does flex along with the rest of the leaves.

2. It adds to the pack thickness, so the car sets at the correct height and the U bolts and castle nuts fit correctly.

3. It is a special leaf with beveled edges, so the spring pack fits up into the channel of the front crossmember correctly.

Some repro springs don't have the beveled edge on the top leaf and that is NOT good.

[Richard Redmond]

No Tom - I guess I didn't make myself clear.

The top 'leaf' on initial disassembly was short and square ended and clearly did not act like a leaf spring (my wording wasn't the best in the post above).

I did throw it away. Now I realise that a 'shadetree' mechanic in the distant past fitted a replacement spring to this Roadster, or dismantled and reassembled the original spring, and goofed by putting the packer or dummy on top!

Now I've goofed by throwing it away. But I'll make up a replacement soon.

Richard

[Richard Redmond]

Oh and another thought.

Tom - in your last line you said the top 'true' leaf spring is bevelled to fit into the channel of the cross-member. I obviously don't remember what mine looked like - are you suggesting that it should have its upper long sides bevelled to fit into the curvature of the channel - as well as any bevel at the tips to prevent gouging the spring leaf below?

Richard

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Richard Redmond

Oh and another thought.

Tom - in your last line you said the top 'true' leaf spring is bevelled to fit into the channel of the cross-member. I obviously don't remember what mine looked like - are you suggesting that it should have its upper long sides bevelled to fit into the curvature of the channel - as well as any bevel at the tips to prevent gouging the spring leaf below?

Richard

Yes, that is correct. I took Mark's front spring apart yesterday and we were at Ken Ehrenhofer's last night putting together a good original spring. Mark's was a repro, and had the wrong taper at the ends of each leaf. I can take and post a couple pictures of the top leaf to show the bevel all along both of the long sides, but won't be back to Ken's until tomorrow, as the spring is still over there.

[Richard Redmond]

I'd be grateful if anyone can provide approximate measurements for the dummy or packing piece at the BOTTOM of the Roadster rear spring.

I'm estimating 3/8" thick, 8" X 2 1/4" spring metal which does need a curve (I was hoping that the centre of the spring would be almost flat, but it still has a significant curvature).

Sorry to hijack this thread.

Richard

[d.j. moordigian]

brokenspoke,

Can you provide US with a photo? It will help I. D. the spring, please.

Richard,

8.25 , curved running length, the thickness of the main( look at the chart, please,
for the correct thickness), and the fit was perfect, like belonged there.

Hope this helps, Dudley