Rear spring install

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John L
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Rear spring install

Post by John L » Fri May 23, 2025 2:18 pm

I keep having trouble getting to get the rear spring in straight. Every time I clamp the u bolts down it pulls the spring down tighter on the one side making the spring sit angled down on the left side. This makes the car sit angled down on the left side. Is there a certain position for the spring clamps to be in ?


speedytinc
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Re: Rear spring install

Post by speedytinc » Fri May 23, 2025 2:40 pm

The spring should "drop" up into position without frame interference. Is the frame end hit? The only time I had such an issue was when I used a rubber pad. The pad got between the spring leafs & U channel. Stuck it tight off center. I learned not to use rubber. Use leather or the original style oil cloth with 2 small leather pads on the ends.


Topic author
John L
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Re: Rear spring install

Post by John L » Fri May 23, 2025 2:49 pm

The spring goes up into the frame ok. But when I tighten it down it pulls down on the left side , uneven from the right . Is there a certain position the clamps go in ?

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Steve Jelf
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Re: Rear spring install

Post by Steve Jelf » Fri May 23, 2025 3:06 pm

Is the pad uneven?
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


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John L
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Re: Rear spring install

Post by John L » Fri May 23, 2025 3:11 pm

It’s a brand new pad


speedytinc
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Re: Rear spring install

Post by speedytinc » Fri May 23, 2025 3:33 pm

John L wrote:
Fri May 23, 2025 3:11 pm
It’s a brand new pad
What kind of pad?
Bolts have a teet that sit into matching holes in the cross member. Square spring bolt mates into center cross member.
Tighten nuts to even cotter pin holes.

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Re: Rear spring install

Post by DanTreace » Fri May 23, 2025 3:43 pm

Have solved that issue using large C-clamps. These pulled the spring stack up into the rear crossmember, making the clip install easy.

Having the spring stack very secure (i.e. snug) is best to prevent leaf factures.




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Norman Kling
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Re: Rear spring install

Post by Norman Kling » Fri May 23, 2025 7:41 pm

Works easiest with some weight on the chassis. Body on is easiest, even someone sitting in the back seat or in the turtle back some weight. Put wood block under one end and install the shackle. Then another block under the other end of the spring to install the shackle. When you get the shackles in and tight, then take the wood out and let the spring find it's own position. Hardest to install without any weight on the rear spring.
Norm


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Re: Rear spring install

Post by Allan » Fri May 23, 2025 8:51 pm

What happens if you back off one U bolt and tighten down the other?

Allan from down under.

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Re: Rear spring install

Post by TRDxB2 » Sun May 25, 2025 3:02 pm

Not sure what your sequence of attaching parts is.
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rar spring install.png
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Re: Rear spring install

Post by Allan » Sun May 25, 2025 7:26 pm

If it is down on the left, try loosening the left U bolt ad tightening the right. Down on the left a bit is better than on the right. It will compensate for the camber in some roads.

Allan from down under.


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Re: Rear spring install

Post by Original Smith » Mon May 26, 2025 1:30 pm

In later years, Ford replaced the leather pad with a piece of top material. I suggest using the earlier style leather pads. The top material pads still had the leather pieces on each end.

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