Front springs: why are they wrapped with rubber ?

[wkuehnis]

Hi,
I am checking my first Model-A (Fordor, 1931).
The front and rear springs looks very strange. They are totally wrapped with tape and covered with a rubber material.
Yesterday I removed my front spring. Next week I will totally disassemble it. (I am out of town over the weekend)
I hope, you are able to see the photos.
It also looks, like there are 12 leafs instead of 10 and between the leafs, it seems, there are thin metal stripes.

Does anybody know this ?

Thanks for help
Willi

[Mike V. Florida]

Never seen such a thing.

[Dollar Bill]

"Why are they wrapped with rubber?"

Notice how the leaves are clean, lubed and rust free? That's because the previous owner went to such great lengths to protect the spring pack.

Impressive job of preservation, it is unfortunate that you cut it off before finding out the purpose.

The process used is hard to determine from the pixs but it looks like someone coated them with truck bed liner?

[1930-Pickup]

Looks like liquid plastic dip, or something similar. Some versions are made for dipping tool handles, others are for dipping machined tools to keep them from rusting during storage. Different colors, thicknesses, manufacturers, and additives...all are roughly the same.

[wkuehnis]

The main reason, why I will remove it: To legalize and drive the car in switzerland, I have to go through our vehicle control. I think, I have no chance, if they see this strange wrapped package under my car

[Ford Acar]

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Originally Posted by wkuehnis

The main reason, why I will remove it: To legalize and drive the car in switzerland, I have to go through our vehicle control. I think, I have no chance, if they see this strange wrapped package under my car

I once had a 1927 Rolls Royce that had leather gaiters on the F and R springs. These were oil lubricated and gave a remarkably comfortable ride. I suspect that the springs on your car were treated on the same principal.
Ross

[pooch]

As model A springs have lasted 89 years dry, now that you have unwrapped yours I am sure they will see you out.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Now that you unwrapped the spring, I would remove 2 leaves to make the proper 10 leaf spring, then grease them up between the leaves and buy a set of spring covers. The covers have a thick felt, which is to be soaked with oil and grease, and this will keep your springs clean and lubed.

In the old days, when quality meant something, many cars wrapped their springs. The latest I can think of are the springs on my 1950 Studebaker, which are wrapped in steel and have a grease fitting on each end. It gives a nice ride.

[3.6rs]

Wrapping the springs of your car ?? Isn't that like wrapping your waterproof boots in plastic ?

[Bob-A]

Hey Tom,

Nice car, nice pic!!

Have "A" Merry Christmas,

Bob-A

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

"Maybe" it was someones' "BETTER IDEA"????---I like it & would leave it ALONE!!
Bill W.

[Tacoma Bob]

I suspect this is a Cosmoline product. I just did a quick google and was surprised at how many product offerings they have. I have not seen the stuff in years.

[wingski]

Nobody has asked what the springs sound like on the car. I would think they would be very quiet. Years ago, I think that people were so used to squeaky springs that they accepted it. I had a friend with very good hearing and he could not allow any squeak or rattle in any of his cars. It drove him nuts until he fixed it no matter how much work it took to do that. He even offered to give me a ’47 Mercury convertible for nothing because he said it had a squeak that he couldn’t figure out. I turned him down because I preferred the looks of a Ford to a Merc.

I wouldn’t think that rubber coated springs would keep the inspector from giving the sedan a passing mark. I would do some serious checking before doing anything to the other springs.

Mike

[Purdy Swoft]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Now that you unwrapped the spring, I would remove 2 leaves to make the proper 10 leaf spring, then grease them up between the leaves and buy a set of spring covers. The covers have a thick felt, which is to be soaked with oil and grease, and this will keep your springs clean and lubed.

In the old days, when quality meant something, many cars wrapped their springs. The latest I can think of are the springs on my 1950 Studebaker, which are wrapped in steel and have a grease fitting on each end. It gives a nice ride.

What Tom W says times two . If you run lubricated springs you will need to use good shocks or the car can bounce dangeriously .

[Oldbluoval]

I think spring covers used to be a big aftermarket thing. I've seen that before but not quite as such. The ones I've sen were either snapped on or affixed so that grease or graphite could be inserted.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Now that you unwrapped the spring, I would remove 2 leaves to make the proper 10 leaf spring, then grease them up between the leaves and buy a set of spring covers. The covers have a thick felt, which is to be soaked with oil and grease, and this will keep your springs clean and lubed.

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

What Tom W says times two . If you run lubricated springs you will need to use good shocks or the car can bounce dangeriously .

What Tom and Purdy said.

I have Spring covers front and rear. They provide a nice ride, keeping the lube in and the water and dirt out.