Runabout rear spring

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Stephen_heatherly
Posts: 386
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 6:03 pm
First Name: Stephen
Last Name: Heatherly
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 coupe and 23 Runabout
Location: St. Louis MO

Runabout rear spring

Post by Stephen_heatherly » Sat Jul 20, 2024 9:29 am

The 23-25 runabouts used a special 6 leaf rear spring. My 23 has the wrong spring in it and I'd like to put the proper one back in the car. Preferably, I'd like to find an original spring for the car, but considering most originals have a significant amount of wear on them and shipping would cost a fortune, I may be better off having a new set made at a local spring shop. Does anybody here know the dimensions, lengths and heights, of the leaves in the special 6 leaf spring?

Thanks,
Stephen

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TRDxB2
Posts: 6262
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedsters (1919 w 1926 upgrades), 1926 (Ricardo Head)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Runabout rear spring

Post by TRDxB2 » Sat Jul 20, 2024 11:43 am

This may help
From https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/1 ... 1302150014
" Dave Martin on Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 10:56 pm:
It�s interesting to note that the bottom two leafs are the same as the typical 8 leaf, and only the top 4 leafs are different, and have unique part numbers. The book also lists the tie bolt, but I don�t see different spring clips. There was recently a Roadster on the MTFCA classified ads that had this 6 leaf spring, the seller emailed photos, and the unique spring was clearly visible by the shorter leaf lengths.
I understand the parts book lists this unique spring as standard equipment for 22-25, but this particular car was the first one I have ever seen with this spring. Could there be evidence that maybe not all roadsters from the 22-25 years had this spring? With these being the highest production years, it seems like a lot more examples would be around. Unless they were too weak or failed prematurely?
I spoke with one of the gentleman making the �T� springs at Hershey a few years back, and he seemed receptive to making a 6 leaf, if drawings were supplied. I�d like to compare the drawings of the 6 and 8 leaf springs to see if the arch or shape is different, or if the difference lies solely in the length of the top 4 leafs.
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Part 3824c would be the entire spring. Since 3825B & 3825C are the first two leaves they would define the arch height (you already have those). Then 3826D, 3827D, 3829D & 3830D the remaining leaves. Also unique parts for the clamp & bolt
Attachments
six leaf.png
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
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Humblej
Posts: 1957
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First Name: Jeff
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Canadian coupe, 1924 TT C-cab, 1924 runabout
Location: Charlevoix, Mi
Board Member Since: 2006

Re: Runabout rear spring

Post by Humblej » Sat Jul 20, 2024 3:05 pm

I have an 8 leaf spring on my unrestored midyear 1924 runabout.

The ride is very nice with the an 8 leaf, so a 6 leaf would probably be more like a bucking bronco.
Last edited by Humblej on Sun Jul 21, 2024 8:19 am, edited 2 times in total.


John kuehn
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
Location: Texas

Re: Runabout rear spring

Post by John kuehn » Sat Jul 20, 2024 4:43 pm

I think the rear spring in my 1919 Runabout is either 7 or 8 leaf. When I was acquiring the parts to build it years ago I had a partial body only and went from there. The frame I used had a rear spring but I didn’t know about which number of leaves was correct. All I knew was that it would fit. I don’t think I’ll change it now.


Allan
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
Location: Gawler, Australia

Re: Runabout rear spring

Post by Allan » Sat Jul 20, 2024 9:00 pm

What makes your spring wrong? Number of leafs? Different arches? Wrong assembled height?

A rear spring in which all the leaf arches follow one another can simply be re-set to get the correct ride height if that is a problem. We have a master spring worker who waves his magic over whatever we take to him. The only problem is one must arrive at 6 pm. Make the mistake of getting to him at 4pm and you will still be there at 6pm!

Allan from down under.

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