Rear spring bolt head

[JRHASZARD]

Talking about 1939 pickup rear spring center bolt. Using the correct square head bolt from Roy N. It seems like the head should slip into the square hole in the crossmember. I would propose the hole provides relief clearance for the bolt head, but also serves to prevent the spring from shifting laterally. I want to use a padding between the top of the spring and underside of the crossmember at the contact area. I purchased this material from Roy also. I am thinking about cutting a center piece out of this strap to provide clearance for the bolt head. Will the u bolts compress the strap material enough to allow the head to protrude into the hole? Has anyone done this? The strap looks like stiff canvass like the frame/body webbing for a Model A. My intention is to protect paint and avoid future corrosion. Thanks.
John

[skidmarks]

Cut a hole in it, it will help keep the welting in place when you jack the rear up to bolt in place. I was in a older napa store last fall looking for a spring center bolt and the brought out a old box full of 5/16 and 3/8 center bolt with the square head. They couldnt get a listing in the computer...i asked how much for the entire box and the manager said $5.00. Then they couldnt understand why i wanted all of them......early Christmas present to myself

[JRHASZARD]

Forgot to mention I would make a few wraps of tape around the spring and strap pad to keep it oriented while bolting in place. Thanks Blue Henner.

[Krylon32]

I'd put a dab of black silicon between the webbing the spring and let it dry. Even the concourse judges can't find that.

[JSeery]

You could place a spacer under the bolt head like a washer to raise the height of the head above the pad.

[JRHASZARD]

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Great ideas, thanks

[JM 35 Sedan]

Hi John,
With the thickness of the square head on the original Ford spring bolt, and the thickness of the pads used by Ford, the square bolt head should stand proud of the pad leaving plenty length of the head to key into the mating hole in center of cross member.
Make sure that square bolt head is aligned properly on the spring so that it will easily fit into the square hole in the cross member. I've seen those holes in front and rear cross members damaged/distorted due to misalignment.

[19Fordy]

Instead of the OEM webbing, I used a strip of .090 aluminum sheet metal with a hole cut in it for the bolt head. Won't rust,squeak,hold water or deteriorate. Been working well for last 40 years.

[DavidG]

Unless the thickness of the bolt head is inadequate, with a square hole cut in the webbing it will stay in place without any adhesive and I sure would not use a washer as that would compromise the interface between the top of the spring and the bottom of the cross member. The NOS versions for that pad come with the square hole in them and they are the same material as the 1/16" thick frame webbing.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Unless the thickness of the bolt head is inadequate, with a square hole cut in the webbing it will stay in place without any adhesive and I sure would not use a washer as that would compromise the interface between the top of the spring and the bottom of the cross member. The NOS versions for that pad come with the square hole in them and they are the same material as the 1/16" thick frame webbing.

David, I was assuming one would use a washer thinner than the thickness of the compressed webbing. If the shape is a concern a square washer could be used. But then if the bolt head is tall enough (as the original was) then it wouldn't be needed.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Unless the thickness of the bolt head is inadequate, with a square hole cut in the webbing it will stay in place without any adhesive and I sure would not use a washer as that would compromise the interface between the top of the spring and the bottom of the cross member. The NOS versions for that pad come with the square hole in them and they are the same material as the 1/16" thick frame webbing.

Like you Dave, I've never used any adhesive or for that matter anything else to hold that pad in place.
This one isn't "rocket science"...

[woodiewagon46]

I have an interchangeable hole punch set from 1/4" to 1". I used a 3/4" punch and the bolt head fits just right over the square head and secures itself and the bolt head fits into the square hole. No glue, tape or silicone.