MTFCA Forum

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 ?

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.

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 ?

It’s a brand new pad

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.

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.

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

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

Allan from down under.

Not sure what your sequence of attaching parts is.

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.

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.