Tearing into the fronts springs of my B

[Freightrain]

Well, after 12 yrs, I'm finally going to fix the LF spring on my truck. The two front clamps have been broken the top few leaves have been separated since who knows when? Nothing broke(yet), but thought I would finally take a stab at getting the pin out. Ugh.

Got it jacked up this afternoon, removed wheel and lock bolt for the pin. Using my trusty lil air hammer I took a few hits at it. Nuth'n, nadda, ain't moving. Started scraping grease off everything so I can get into it with some heat tomorrow. Once I get that moving, I'll whack the Ubolts off and loosen the front clamp so I can get the spring out.

Already spoke to spring shop and they are going to rebuild it with some new leafs and use over what ever they can. Right front springs is still perfect condition so won't need to pull it apart. The left springs has never gotten grease into the pin since I owned it. No matter how hard I tried. Of course the right side takes grease fine.

Just another project I've put off forever, but figured my luck will run out sooner or later and leave me stuck on the side of the road.

[j_martell]

Good luck and have fun

[Vladislav]

Hope the work will be done soon.

How are you shure the new spring will be quite equal to the other?

[Freightrain]

I am hoping that reusing most of the pack, only replacing the top few will keep the arch the same, thus not screw the ride height up too bad. I'll take an inch one way or the other as I don't think that will make it look lopsided. If it is worse, then I'll have to take the passenger side out and duplicate it?

Maybe once they get the clamps off the back and look at the leafs individually, maybe they aren't bad and can just reclamp it?? Maybe?

if it is bad, then I will just put a U model cab on it and then no one will notice the lean LOL!!!!

[umodelnut]

I am hoping that reusing most of the pack, only replacing the top few will keep the arch the same, thus not screw the ride height up too bad. I'll take an inch one way or the other as I don't think that will make it look lopsided. If it is worse, then I'll have to take the passenger side out and duplicate it?

if it is bad, then I will just put a U model cab on it and then no one will notice the lean LOL!!!!

😐

[Freightrain]

HAAA!! I knew that would get a rise outta ya Vinny.

[Maddog13407]

actually just took mine apart last weekend Larry. when i rebuilt it I put the axle and springs out of a dump truck in it. FA522 as I couldn't find a Fa517 axle for the life of me. anyways this axle has 14 leaves in the spring packs and most B61 Single axles came with 11. I took the springs out, new U bolts and center bolts and took out two leaves on each side. maybe it will ride a little better, maybe. it might be easier for you to take the 4 , 1/2 inch bolts out of the front spring cap and let it down or jack truck up. this way it will take tension off the back pin and it will come out easier. usually have t put a small bottle jack between the frame and top of springs and jack the spring down a little and a jack underneath to get the rubber insulator back in the front hanger just right. usually takes me 2/3 tries. I usually spray it with a little PB so the rubber slides back in the case easier.

[Freightrain]

Thanks for the heads up. My local spring guy could not come up with any replacement springs sets. Without special order and crazy prices!! He said for a few hundred bucks I'll have it back to good and new U bolts and pin.

I was going to work on the pin today before cutting bolts and tearing into the front clamp. Maybe I'll go ahead and cut it all loose and the pin "might' come out? I doubt it since it has never taken grease and is likely stuck pretty tight in the bushing. 12 yrs ago I tore the rear springs apart but it was easy with it being out in the open.

Of course it is an oily mess, so torches will be tough to use, but don't have much of a choice. No real room to swing a sledge either(had thoughts of removing the fender?).

[j hancock]

A little more room under a B model for a BFH would be nice.

I was able to get a main leaf and a wrap at Donovan Spring In NH for my B75. It took a couple of days and I don't recall the price being too bad. Maybe have your guy give them a call and see what they could do.

http://www.donovancompany.com/

[MHfred]

Triangle Spring in Dubois, PA made me a new rear leaf for each side for about a $100 each for my 1954 White WC 22.

[Freightrain]

Well I got the front clamp off(only one broken bolt but it is exposed with lower clamp off so some heat and visegrips should get it out). The u bolts came off with my 3/4" impact!! The pin is STUCK. Likely take some heat to break it loose. Got to clean up oil/grease before getting in there with a flame. If I had a more industrial sized air hammer it might move? Like to get it out today?

[Freightrain]

TADAAA!!!!

Well, a little heat in the right place and the air hammer pushed it right out. Didn't really want to be reminded of how heavy those spring packs are!! UGH. Lot easier to let them fall out then it will be to push it back in.

Got it loaded in my pickup and will get it dropped off this week. Feeling a bit relieved now.

[j hancock]

Excellent!

Bet you used a fine selection of interesting vocabulary.

Time for a beer!

[doubleclutchinweasel]

First thing I had to fix on my R was a LF spring with 2 broken leaves. Replaced 3. Was during that time I was fighting a pinched nerve in my neck.

S.O.B.s are heavy! I'll give you that!

[Maddog13407]

funny thing about this, when Bob Daub was still sellin parts for b models he made a comment on how nobody ordered any front springs from him ever even tho he had brand new ones for about $350..... his next comment was unless you guys start buyin these, there wont be any 15 years from now... ugh!

[Freightrain]

Don't look so hateful just sitting there. (I can't post pics from home, had to wait til I got to work today)

Interesting set up on the front with those riveted on pads for the isolators/slippers. Didn't realize it was all that. I hope they can do something with it? That front side is spread from rust after all these years being broke loose. I hope they can just put two top leafs in, clean up the rust and reclamp it. The rear portion is well oiled LOL!!

[thomastractorsvc]

looks like you have it licked now, just need to get it back for this next weekend to install

[Vladislav]

This interesting set up with riveted pads looks strangly familiar to me.

Because I worked out the same stuff in my army truck.

Those rivets didn't make a trouble because were not straight through rivets. Each pad fixed to its own leaf.

I had one broken leaf in one spring in the "project" truck and planned originally to change it.

But when I bought the "spare" truck I first realized to not change one leaf but whole the spring.

And next I resolved to change them springs both to keek them off the same vehicle.

[rustydog]

TIME FOR A LITTLE "SPRING" CLEANIN

[Freightrain]

Well, I hope to get the spring back this week(so they say). Anyone have the torque specs for the U bolts? I got my hands on a 600ft/lb torque wrench, so I hope that covers it. Or I will have to come up with a torque multiplier too?

[j hancock]

Mack recommends Never-Seez or synthetic white lead on the threads.

5/8 200-225 lbs.

3/4 350-385 lbs.

7/8 550-600 lbs.

The wrench you have will work fine.

I have the numbers for 1" or above if needed.

[Freightrain]

Thanks, I don't recall what size they are off the top of my head presently.

I can now see why my 3/4" impact whipped them off without too much effort. All the oil/grease drenched all over them likely helped too LOL! They were NOT all dry and rusty!!

[Freightrain]

Ok, we're back to good again. That was quite the ordeal. I started on it just after 9pm last night and by 11:30pm it was all but finished. Getting the torque wrench this afternoon to pull the ubolts down properly. Could just run'm down with the 3/4" impact? They are 3/4" bolts, so only need 350lb/ft.

Once I got the spring slid back under the truck an over the axle I tried to get it into the rear perch. Nope, nadda, ain't fit'n. Seems the springs are just over 3" wide and the opening is 3.000. Had to get the small angle grinder out and thin it up a touch(like .040) and it slipped in. Had to polish up the pin hole in the frame bracket so I could slip the pin in easier without having to mash it with a hammer. Then I went to work on the front. Ugh, more headaches. I found some longer bolts to help hold the lower cover aligned so I could use my bottle jack to press it together. Took some wiggle'n but got it down and tightened. I have it sitting on a block of wood so the spring will settle some. It doesn't look like it will be too cattywompus as the lower leafs are what give it the arch and they are the originals. Once I get the wheel on I will remeasure and check against what it was before I started.

All I can say is thank gawd for ALEVE!!!! LOL! My lower back and legs were pretty ragged from crouching under that fender for a few hours. That along with working on tearing into my sister mustang to put a clutch in it the last few nights too. Did I mention I hate new cars LOL!! I like my old stuff, lots of room to work!

[j hancock]

I can see the sign now for Battlestar Spring Shop. Open nights and weekends.

Hmmm.....Mustang and clutch work? My '85 GT really needs a new clutch cable quadrant under the dash.....

[Freightrain]

Ugh.....nope...ain't touching that one.