Front Spring reset problems

[atourer]

Looking for advice please. Had front spring reset to measurements in Les Andrews' book. Assembled with some spring leave grease & installed it. Problem is car bottoms out when tested on axle stands. Another spring I have reset to same dimensions years ago is perfect. Same for a third spring of same dimensions - no bottom out. All assembled with leaf grease. Why does one do it and the others do not ? Any suggestions please guys ?? Thanks

[1931 flamingo]

Possibly the one that bottoms out has lost it's tensile strength. For haha"s have you measured all 3 spring eye to spring eye?
Paul in CT

[J Franklin]

Are they all Ford model A springs or are some early or later after-market? Are the leaves the same thickness and width on all the assemblies? Interesting puzzle.

[atourer]

Thanks guys
Yes, spring length is the same from eye to eye on all 3.
Curiously the one that now bottoms out came off a running car that did not bottom out and was in fact 1 & 1/2 inch shorter eye to eye than the others before resetting - perhaps it is aftermarket and set that way intentionally - perhaps the spring steel not to the same specification ??

[dr.j]

Interesting; I plan to replace my front spring this winter so this topic of of great benefit. I may order an aftermarket or take the old one in and have a local truck spring shop make up a new one. Nothing better than a stiff front end.

[J Franklin]

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Unless it is damaged it can be re-arched and made softer or stiffer.I took some sagging rear '66 Mustang springs to a local truck machine shop and had them reworked with 1" added lift to the car over stock. It made a nice handling car and not too stiff a ride. Of course these weren't traverse springs but a good shop can do it.

[atourer]

Thanks Guys for all of your ideas - I feel "a bit of a goose". A mate came around last night and picked up that I was bottoming out on the stand I had holding up the rear of the radius rod (not the spring bottoming on the axle). I reckon when I bolt it up properly it will behave properly. I will post a note after I have done this on the weekend. Cheers !!