OT Model A Front Spring

Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration
Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: OT Model A Front Spring
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donald Conklin on Thursday, June 26, 2014 - 10:26 pm:

I have a Model A hot rod - speedster. I have been running the car for probably 30 years. As we age we, more importantly my wife, are finding the ride unpleasantly harsh. The rear spring is from a late model T and is very flexible. The front spring is a standard A which is very stiff, due to reduced weight (no bumper, fenders or running boards, aluminum head and alternator).
I would like to remove a leaf from the front spring pack, but which one? I'm thinking of the second leaf down.
Does anyone have any experience or an opinion?
By the way the spring does have plastic liners.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Friday, June 27, 2014 - 01:36 am:

Here's a thread on the subject at another forum (the HAMB): http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/removing-leaves-from-my-front-spring. 304947/

Some quotes from other threads:
" If you're using a Model A spring up front and it is mounted in tension as originally designed you will end up with about 5-6 leaves in the spring if you're running a small block anything depending on whether the spring is new or used. Model A springs have 10-12 leaves, remove the odd numbered ones, 3-5-7-9-11. You may have experiment to find the right combo. When it is right the chassis will dip when you push down on it with your foot.
Disassemble the spring carefully, clamps and chain work for me, and clean all the leaves. Taper file slightly the leading edges that ride on the leaf below of each leaf so they won't "dig" when they flex. Piant to prevent corrossion and grease before assembly. Make up covers or buy from Model A Parts suppliers."

" I removed about half the leaves from the front of my A. Its pretty much the same setup you've got. RPU, no fenders, no bumpers, original banger. It lowered the car about 3 inches or so and rides much much better. Now the suspension actually works when before the springs were too hard for the body to even budge them."


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donald Conklin on Friday, June 27, 2014 - 12:49 pm:

Roger, thanks for the info.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey, N. California on Friday, June 27, 2014 - 01:01 pm:

Donald,
Don't forget that the top leaf has tapered sides to fit the frame, and that you'll need spacers under the bottom leaf so the spring clamps will actually clamp on the spring, and not the frame. Original A roadster front springs had one less leaf, and a spacer.


Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.
Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration