Replaced Front Spring Insulators on R600

[doubleclutchinweasel]

Well...

I went out this morning, in the awesome, cool Carolina air, and replaced the front spring insulators on the old R611.

First, I removed the cross-tube, and removed the lower spring caps.

Then I jacked up the front of the frame to take the load off the springs.

Now, since lifting the front of the truck will allow the springs to come out of thier seats, but will also allow them to "curl" on you, I added a small jack toward the rear of each spring. This allows you to keep a little pressure on the springs, holding the rear down, and preventing the "curling". If they curl too much, you can't get the new insulators into the pockets very well.

Then, I lubed up the new insulators with some dish detergent, and slid them in. It is important to note that AT NO TIME should you put your fingers/hands in the spring hanger. If the jacks let go, you would be minus some rather important apendages.

Then I let the jacks down evenly, so the insulators eased into the pockets in the upper spring hanger.

Next, the lower caps went on.

And, finally, the cross tube went back in, and all with new hardware...a Weasel trademark!

Not sure why the image, below is repeated! Sorry!

[macattack]

hey great pics and great explaination of what you did!!!!

my mack mr is not set up like that, but still great info.

[doubleclutchinweasel]

Thanks!

[2 STICK PUPPY]

How much higher does she sit with the new rubbers

[doubleclutchinweasel]

How much higher does she sit with the new rubbers

...enough that it is noticeable...

I'd say an inch at least.

Feels "tighter", too.

[doubleclutchinweasel]

Actually got a little road time in this morning.

Wow! Can't believe what a difference those insulators made.

The bumps and jolts from the road are FAR less noticeable through the steering wheel...and the seat! Makes the whole front end of the truck feel tighter and more stable.

Best bang for the buck you can do to the front of one of these rubber-mounted trucks.

By the way, the old ones were worn down to the point that the retainer caps could be bolted on with virtually no compression of the rubber whatsoever. When I put the new ones on, they started compressing as soon as the bolts started in the holes. So, there is a LOT more rubber under compression in there now. No wonder it's tighter, huh?

[Bigdogtrucker]

Front springs seem to be one of the most worn neglected part of most old trucks.I've seen SO many broken,sagging worn out springs over the years.Most times when I point this out the owners could care less....One thing that bothers me the most is a truck with a hot rod raked front end from this .

[thomastractorsvc]

great post

Thanks

[Maddog13407]

I hate the ''road sniffer'' look also and remember years ago when Tidewater Mack was complainin that nobody bought front springs for B models when they were 180 bucks a piece and wouldn't be available in the future. most B and R models I have seen when new sat pretty level. I think it a Mack thing. I have seen a few picture of White Wc22's from the factory that have the ''hot rod'' rake to them. must be figured in for load.

[Freightrain]

I know when I rebuilt the LF spring, that isolator was a biotch to get back in. Well, not horribly bad, but took a couple tries to get it squared and settle in the right spot. I know they must have been replaced sometime in the past as it was still very nice condition.

I did notice with the new spring and new rear bushing that it rides nicer since the bushing actually takes grease and probably moves now. I shoulda fixed it 12 yrs ago, but kept putting it off. Glad i finally took the time, as it wasn't that bad of a job.