One of the leaf's on the rear of my 94 Chevy 3500 is broken. I want to order a complete new set. I was cruising Rock Auto and notice several options for my truck. My main question is how to determine the number of leafs.
I see 3/1 =4
4/1=5
5/1=6
Why are they split up like that? Would (for example) 5/1 mean one main spring and 5 secondary leafs?
The +1 is the thick helper leaf on the bottom of the spring pack. My brother ordered springs for his 2013 and thats what he found out. His were 2+1=3. Two leaves and a thick helper leaf on the bottom.
Its definataly a black art watching the men heat up a strip of metal and bang it into new spring form, repeat it again a time or two matching each leaf up getting the right arch.
I had an extra leaf added to the rear of my Dart Swinger for towing the race car. Something to watch.
I'll have to check. If there is and they will likely be like every other business on the island and the waiting times are huge. I should really replace both sides. I'm looking at about $1200 from Rock Auto with shipping.
cdnpont wrote:
Is there no spring shop on the island Todd anymore that can make them?
I'll have to check. If there is and they will likely be like every other business on the island and the waiting times are huge. I should really replace both sides. I'm looking at about $1200 from Rock Auto with shipping.
cdnpont wrote:
Is there no spring shop on the island Todd anymore that can make them?
Nothing used to be found? $1200 is quite a chunk to spend just for springs.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
1200 bucks new? I'd check with a local shop Todd. They likely can just repair them. Remove them yourself, take them in and they should be able to replace any broken ones, re arch and rebuild them.
It can't possibly cost that to refurbish them. But I might be wrong.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
I only really need one leaf. I'll get some measurements and see if perhaps I can find a replacement to get me by for the time being. I really only put 2-300 miles a year on it. My inspection is due in November. It' not a big deal if I don't pass as I really just use the truck to plow my driveway in the winter. I'll surely have to replace the U bolts at the same time.
If anyone has easy access to one I'd surely pay time and shipping. I will also need the U-bolt which is 10" long and likely both spring retainers as seen in this photo:
So, I guess I'm better off just to bite the bullet and buy new ones. However I'm not sure if that's separation you are seeing. I'll have to take a wire brush to them. I oil sprayed the truck a couple of weeks ago and there's oil/dirt stuck to them.
But I think there might be some option to re-arc, then my old guy knowledge kicks in and says, nope.
To pass to code, do just what you need to (no visible cracks?). Problem is, there is no point in putting new metal back into that pack while it's apart is there?
You're stuck between.
C'mon spring guys chime in...
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
Todd... Head for the nearest trucking shipper or stop a dump truck driver and ask him. Dump trucks are notorious for broken leaves, then it has to be pulled off the road. It's part of the "circle check" every day... The driver/owner will KNOW where to get that fixed ASAP, costing him $$ the downtime.
So, I guess I'm better off just to bite the bullet and buy new ones. However I'm not sure if that's separation you are seeing. I'll have to take a wire brush to them. I oil sprayed the truck a couple of weeks ago and there's oil/dirt stuck to them.
I think when they open like that, they are basically bent down and hardened at the clamp. Other than the helper, Leaf springs basically need to touch and slide along on each other.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.