by Scott Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:00 amFound this measurement guide at http://thesuspensionking.com/
I haven’t used them before, just found them on Google.
I haven’t used them before, just found them on Google.
+16
Nightmoves
ChevyVanMan1
67a 100 pickup
crazee
mo_1040
savage
veefre
itruns
G-Man
Digz
Scott
Kakster
BvrWally
gp70
VANagain
donivan65
20 posters
My Springs are Sprung
Scott- Number of posts : 1651
Location : Anoka, MN
Age : 54
Registration date : 2008-05-20
G-Man- Mayor
- Number of posts : 30743
Location : Fowlerville, MI
Age : 63
Registration date : 2008-05-06
I have try it and it worked and have other guys try it and worked for them also. I read it in a Hot Rod magizine and they said it's a old timers trick to get a tough bolt out.
Digz- Number of posts : 3794
Location : United States Six Lakes MI
Registration date : 2008-05-17
I didnt get a chance to try anything today, but I do have the stuff to try the C clamp press and whats happening to me ,is the bolt turns ,but it's spinning the rubber bushing with it in the spring eye. crossing fingers!
savage- Number of posts : 2632
Location : Where Rust Never Sleeps in Ft Wayne IN
Registration date : 2008-05-15
The 65 from NY had this problem on the front spring mounts,when I droped it. Seems like I used a sawzall, and like Don said its a pain. Heres something else you can try, soak the hck out of the bushing with PB blaster and hit the bolt with a air hammer,mine got a pointed one. I think its for poping out rivets
Scott- Number of posts : 1651
Location : Anoka, MN
Age : 54
Registration date : 2008-05-20
Because of sagging Leafsprings, and now tire clearance, I am thinking about adding an extra leaf or two. Do I need to find a Chevy Leafspring, or can I just look for one that is the same width?
I’m hoping I can get away with finding the same width, cutting them down to the size I need, then putting them back with a longer center pin, and U-bolts. I know I may have to drill the center hole to get my pin to fit, and hope the hole isn’t to big already.
What do ya’ll think, and what’s the Torque on those U-bolts?
I’m hoping I can get away with finding the same width, cutting them down to the size I need, then putting them back with a longer center pin, and U-bolts. I know I may have to drill the center hole to get my pin to fit, and hope the hole isn’t to big already.
What do ya’ll think, and what’s the Torque on those U-bolts?
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12248
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
So how many leafs do you have,,,,,,,I have 7 in back, 6 up front.
You might check at a 4 wheel drive off road shop,,,,,they will know about springs,,,,,,see if they know where you can get yours re arced or can make you some leafs. And you know the center bolt is not in the center of the spring if you are looking for some other type of spring. U bolt torque is 65-95 lbs,,,,,shackles 40-60,,,,,,,,other end 70-80
You might check at a 4 wheel drive off road shop,,,,,they will know about springs,,,,,,see if they know where you can get yours re arced or can make you some leafs. And you know the center bolt is not in the center of the spring if you are looking for some other type of spring. U bolt torque is 65-95 lbs,,,,,shackles 40-60,,,,,,,,other end 70-80
Scott- Number of posts : 1651
Location : Anoka, MN
Age : 54
Registration date : 2008-05-20
Right now I have two, but I dont know the width off the top of my head. Theres a Pick-a-Part by my house that has a couple in the back of a pick-up that are the same width.. I think..
I figured I would just add to what I have, not mess with the shackles. Just cut a leaf about three inches shorter on each end (about 6 inches total), and center it up under the bottom spring. Depending on how much lift it gives me I might add two.
I figured I would just add to what I have, not mess with the shackles. Just cut a leaf about three inches shorter on each end (about 6 inches total), and center it up under the bottom spring. Depending on how much lift it gives me I might add two.
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12248
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
How about like 9??????
Scott- Number of posts : 1651
Location : Anoka, MN
Age : 54
Registration date : 2008-05-20
Thats a little to much for me..
You see any flaws in my plan?
I'm hoping to pull this off without actually detaching the leafs from the body. Just figured I would raise the body off the axle one side at a time, but I'm not sure how that center bolt works..
You see any flaws in my plan?
I'm hoping to pull this off without actually detaching the leafs from the body. Just figured I would raise the body off the axle one side at a time, but I'm not sure how that center bolt works..
savage- Number of posts : 2632
Location : Where Rust Never Sleeps in Ft Wayne IN
Registration date : 2008-05-15
Naw Don I think he should use 14 
Is that how many got put on the 4 X 4 Tree Van??
Is that how many got put on the 4 X 4 Tree Van??
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12248
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
That sure is what that High Rolling 4x4 guy on this site wanted on his TreeVan,,,,,,,OK Scott, here you go,,,,,6 leafs,,,,,,,
Scott- Number of posts : 1651
Location : Anoka, MN
Age : 54
Registration date : 2008-05-20
I don't see the Acme name on that brick..
Well, I'm not going for that much of a lift, but thanks for all the pics..
I took a look at those leafs I mentioned earlier, and they match my van at 2.5" wide. I don't know what their off of but somebody wrote 87 Chevy on them. I'm going to go down tomorrow to offer $20 bucks for em, we'll see where that goes.
These springs look kind of flat, and I’m too cheap to have them re-arched if adding a couple will do the job. But looking at the other pics being posted, maybe mine aren’t so bad.
Well, I'm not going for that much of a lift, but thanks for all the pics..
I took a look at those leafs I mentioned earlier, and they match my van at 2.5" wide. I don't know what their off of but somebody wrote 87 Chevy on them. I'm going to go down tomorrow to offer $20 bucks for em, we'll see where that goes.
These springs look kind of flat, and I’m too cheap to have them re-arched if adding a couple will do the job. But looking at the other pics being posted, maybe mine aren’t so bad.
mo_1040- Number of posts : 645
Location : Hibbing, Minnesota...The land of 10,000 rednecks
Age : 53
Registration date : 2008-07-04
I have a 2nd gen... only 2 leafs on each corner. My rear leafs have some arch to them but my front lay pretty flat. I have seen in some ads that they used blazer leafsprings... don't know if they bolted right on or if the have to change anything. When I got my van someone put 10" shackles on the front springs, why? I don't know! The driver side front leafs don't lay flat with each other so I think I'll have to change mine too.
Scott- Number of posts : 1651
Location : Anoka, MN
Age : 54
Registration date : 2008-05-20
I stopped and bought those springs this morning, ended up paying $35, but at least they were already off.
A closer look shows that they came from an 89 1/2 Ton Chevy..
I'll do the measuring when I get home to see how I can fit them in; hopefully just line up the shorter pieces with my existing leafs. The main thing is keeping with the original center bolt location.
Someone here at work just informed me that cutting spring steel is going to be near impossible.
Sounds like a challenge..
A closer look shows that they came from an 89 1/2 Ton Chevy..
I'll do the measuring when I get home to see how I can fit them in; hopefully just line up the shorter pieces with my existing leafs. The main thing is keeping with the original center bolt location.
Someone here at work just informed me that cutting spring steel is going to be near impossible.
Sounds like a challenge..
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12248
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
Here are 2 leafs,,,,,one has a 3 1/2" arc, the other is 6". So you see they can go flat on you.
Scott- Number of posts : 1651
Location : Anoka, MN
Age : 54
Registration date : 2008-05-20
I started working with the pick-a-part springs tonight and found that I made a bonehead mistake. 
Seems that I somehow measured my van springs at 2.5”, and thought I had a match when I bought the springs. When I started working on them tonight I realized that the van has 3” wide springs.
Now I’m trying to decide if I want to go ahead and use the 2.5 ones, or consider it a loss. I think they will still work as long as I can wrap the spring alignment brackets around the old springs. That should keep the springs from pivoting on the center bolt.
What do ya’ll think, should I pitch them and do something else, or push forward with these?
Seems that I somehow measured my van springs at 2.5”, and thought I had a match when I bought the springs. When I started working on them tonight I realized that the van has 3” wide springs.Now I’m trying to decide if I want to go ahead and use the 2.5 ones, or consider it a loss. I think they will still work as long as I can wrap the spring alignment brackets around the old springs. That should keep the springs from pivoting on the center bolt.
What do ya’ll think, should I pitch them and do something else, or push forward with these?
Scott- Number of posts : 1651
Location : Anoka, MN
Age : 54
Registration date : 2008-05-20
Is there a torque amount for the center bolt, or do I just tighten the snot out of it?
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12248
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
So what are you going to do,,,,,,put some washers on the sides of those 2 1/2" springs to fit the 3" mount and shackles? The U bolt plate sure won't be happy,,,,,,Napa has those spring center bolts,,,,,,they aint very tough,,,,so not much torque,,,,,,maybe a 1/2 turn after the leafs are pulled tight together,,,,,,,,,
Scott- Number of posts : 1651
Location : Anoka, MN
Age : 54
Registration date : 2008-05-20
This is what I was thinking, but I haven’t worked with springs before, so you tell me…
I would be counting on the alignment clip on the 2.5" leafs to keep them from pivoting on the center bolt.
Will this be a good solution, or should I quit being cheap, cut my losses, and do something else?
I would be counting on the alignment clip on the 2.5" leafs to keep them from pivoting on the center bolt.
Will this be a good solution, or should I quit being cheap, cut my losses, and do something else?
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12248
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
It will probably work,,,,,,you won't have the pockets for the teflon inserts if you cut the ends off the new springs,,,,,but what do you got to lose,,,,,just watch how those skinnier leafs act after a few miles,,,,,,see if they stay in place,,,,,,,see how the van handles,,,,,,
Scott- Number of posts : 1651
Location : Anoka, MN
Age : 54
Registration date : 2008-05-20
Before putting anymore into this I decided to at least see what the cost would be to have the old ones repaired.
Fort Worth Champion Spring Services
1117 Henderson St
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 332-2115
They re-arch and add one leaf to get the height back.
If I just bring in the springs. (Back: $160 / Front: $200)
If I bring in the van. (Whole Job: $800)
Looks like I'm still in the do-it-myself option.
Fort Worth Champion Spring Services
1117 Henderson St
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 332-2115
They re-arch and add one leaf to get the height back.
If I just bring in the springs. (Back: $160 / Front: $200)
If I bring in the van. (Whole Job: $800)
Looks like I'm still in the do-it-myself option.
Scott- Number of posts : 1651
Location : Anoka, MN
Age : 54
Registration date : 2008-05-20
Found this to be a good source when searching for used springs with the right width. You just have to click through the catalogs to find what you need. It looks like a lot of the dodge pickups had 3" wide springs.
http://www.eatonsprings.com/downloads.htm
Don't suppose any of you know the amount of arch the 2nd Gen. springs are supposed to have?
http://www.eatonsprings.com/downloads.htm
Don't suppose any of you know the amount of arch the 2nd Gen. springs are supposed to have?
Scott- Number of posts : 1651
Location : Anoka, MN
Age : 54
Registration date : 2008-05-20
While I wait for some wire I ordered I am going back to the springs tomorrow. If you read my earlier post you will see the bonehead move where I bought springs that were to narrow. Well, while in Bristol I saw some old Second Gen. springs on the ground and it all started making sense. If you look at front springs from a Second Gen. you see that the ends are fatter then the center, they actually get more narrow as you get to the middle.
Before I start in on this tomorrow I have a few questions..
How hard is it going to be to replace the center bolt? I'm adding two leafs, so I am going to need a longer one. Do I just take my old one down to NAPA and get one that's long enough for the two extra leafs? Or like many other parts, is it going to be another impossible mission to find them?
Any advice from others that have done this before?
My plan is to support the body on stands, then lower the front axle with the floor jack. Once its apart I'll run down for the longer U-bolts and center pin.
Before I start in on this tomorrow I have a few questions..
How hard is it going to be to replace the center bolt? I'm adding two leafs, so I am going to need a longer one. Do I just take my old one down to NAPA and get one that's long enough for the two extra leafs? Or like many other parts, is it going to be another impossible mission to find them?
Any advice from others that have done this before?
My plan is to support the body on stands, then lower the front axle with the floor jack. Once its apart I'll run down for the longer U-bolts and center pin.
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12248
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
I had a nice new center bolt once and some guy decided that 14 leafs was the correct amount that he wanted on it. Those bolts probably just come in 1 long size, you cut off what you don't need after you put the spring together,,,,,,,,
Scott- Number of posts : 1651
Location : Anoka, MN
Age : 54
Registration date : 2008-05-20
Thanks Donivan, that bolt worked perfect..
I spent the weekend cutting the Pick-a-part springs down to size, cutting spring steel wasn't a problem, but drilling the holes for the Center Bolt killed about nine of my drill bits. Everything was going smooth, did blow half a day trying to find the right sized U-bolts.
I finally found them at a Pep Boys, what a surprise. And they were actually axle bolts for a car, truck, or van. Not some little trailer. Like the Center Bolt, the U-bolts had to be cut down to size.
Tonight, while in the home stretch of getting it all back together I ran into the show stopper. The posted torque for the U-bolts is 65 to 95, so I figured I would shoot down the middle and torque to 80. First U-bolt, one side felt like the threads were giving a little, but clicked at 80. The other side gave away at about 65 pounds. So now I'm back to searching for U-bolts..
The guy at NAPA told me about a place in Dallas that makes U-bolts, I'm going to try and find them. I'm also going to try some 4x4 places. The two leafs I added are adding 1 inch to the original bolt lengths.
I spent the weekend cutting the Pick-a-part springs down to size, cutting spring steel wasn't a problem, but drilling the holes for the Center Bolt killed about nine of my drill bits. Everything was going smooth, did blow half a day trying to find the right sized U-bolts.
I finally found them at a Pep Boys, what a surprise. And they were actually axle bolts for a car, truck, or van. Not some little trailer. Like the Center Bolt, the U-bolts had to be cut down to size.
Tonight, while in the home stretch of getting it all back together I ran into the show stopper. The posted torque for the U-bolts is 65 to 95, so I figured I would shoot down the middle and torque to 80. First U-bolt, one side felt like the threads were giving a little, but clicked at 80. The other side gave away at about 65 pounds. So now I'm back to searching for U-bolts..
The guy at NAPA told me about a place in Dallas that makes U-bolts, I'm going to try and find them. I'm also going to try some 4x4 places. The two leafs I added are adding 1 inch to the original bolt lengths.
