My early (June) 28 Tudor that I'm restoring has a front spring with twelve leafs in it.There were no shocks on thew car before I dismantled it so I'm guessing this was done to stiffen the ride. Would it be advisable to remove a couple of leafs since I'm installing new shocks? I'm concerned with the small lea way of clearances to the front axle on an early 28 that this might be decremental. I know the 10 leaf is the norm.
12 leaf front spring- Tudor
- Thread starter moasew
- Start date
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
I'd use the stock 10 leaf.
Joe K
Well-known member
Agree with Tom. Removing a couple of leaves results in a spring of um, "unengineered" properties. You can't really know what you'll be getting or whether a single leaf (or leaves) may be overstressed and break.
Of the two springs, the front I generally consider more "sensitive" than the rear. I've never found a broken leaf in a rear spring (now having examined several) but of the two fronts springs I've seen - both had issues of cracked leaves - usually at the center bolt.
Best would be to get a new one from that dude in Connecticut. http://www.a-springs.com/
Joe K
Of the two springs, the front I generally consider more "sensitive" than the rear. I've never found a broken leaf in a rear spring (now having examined several) but of the two fronts springs I've seen - both had issues of cracked leaves - usually at the center bolt.
Best would be to get a new one from that dude in Connecticut. http://www.a-springs.com/
Joe K
I just measured all my leafs.
#1 34" x.2475
#2 32 1/4" x 2402
#3 27 7/8" x 2377
#4 25 3/8" x 1991
#5 23" x 1762
#6 20 3/4" x 1779 This leaf has the clips on it as opposed to # 5 normally
#7 17 3/4" x 1764
#8 15 1/8" x1759
#9 13 1/8" x 1783
#10 11 5/8" x 1977 This measurement seems out of sync but I double checked it.
#11 10 5/8" x 1800
#12 9 3/4" x 1810
If I remove one leaf the overall assembled thickness would return to 2"
The length of the assembled spring from eye to eye is 13 13/16
However the current height is 5 5/8" and Les Andrews says it should be 4 7/8 to 5 1/8".
I'm thinking all this might have to do with the fact it is an AR and it needs the clearance for the tie rod. There have been a few issues I ran across that pertain to the 1928 but doesn't apply on the early AR.May have to do with a Canadian car but I doubt it.I can't see why anyone would add two more leafs but then again they must've removed the shocks.The rear spring is normal. Neither springs had broken leafs.
I would like anyone's take on this setup.
#1 34" x.2475
#2 32 1/4" x 2402
#3 27 7/8" x 2377
#4 25 3/8" x 1991
#5 23" x 1762
#6 20 3/4" x 1779 This leaf has the clips on it as opposed to # 5 normally
#7 17 3/4" x 1764
#8 15 1/8" x1759
#9 13 1/8" x 1783
#10 11 5/8" x 1977 This measurement seems out of sync but I double checked it.
#11 10 5/8" x 1800
#12 9 3/4" x 1810
If I remove one leaf the overall assembled thickness would return to 2"
The length of the assembled spring from eye to eye is 13 13/16
However the current height is 5 5/8" and Les Andrews says it should be 4 7/8 to 5 1/8".
I'm thinking all this might have to do with the fact it is an AR and it needs the clearance for the tie rod. There have been a few issues I ran across that pertain to the 1928 but doesn't apply on the early AR.May have to do with a Canadian car but I doubt it.I can't see why anyone would add two more leafs but then again they must've removed the shocks.The rear spring is normal. Neither springs had broken leafs.
I would like anyone's take on this setup.
Joe K
Well-known member
Um, per Service Bulletins a 12 leaf front spring was available from Ford for "for cars and trucks expecting particularly severe service." Or some such wording to that effect.
It may have been normal install on the early AA trucks that used the car pattern axle. In October 1929, the truck was beefed up considerably and the front axle was made heavier - and the front spring (and front crossmember) changed to accomodate a thicker pattern spring equal in width to the rear springs on the Model A Car.
Leave it to Henry to not waste a thought.
Joe K
It may have been normal install on the early AA trucks that used the car pattern axle. In October 1929, the truck was beefed up considerably and the front axle was made heavier - and the front spring (and front crossmember) changed to accomodate a thicker pattern spring equal in width to the rear springs on the Model A Car.
Leave it to Henry to not waste a thought.
Joe K
This may not be so strange as it sounds. My coupe had no shocks and a firm ride when I got it. When I started to rebuilt the front end I found a 12-leaf spring. I called the previous owner who told that he added the two leaves because the old 10-leaf spring was tired and sagging a bit. It actually worked OK although I do hope to find some decent shocks.
Keith True
Well-known member
I have an original 12 leaf spring.I got the chassis from a local farmer,it was originally a 30 Fordor.The spring was in nice shape,I just blasted and painted it.It sat the same in the car,but rode a little hard.An A guy here took a look and said it was one of the special springs.I took it out,and I think it has longer U-bolts and a different clamp plate.I wired all the parts together and have them in a shed.I think the little U shaped spring clamps are longer too.There was a reason I didn't just take out a couple of leaves and use it.It was in the late 70's so I don't remember just the reason was.I do however,find a lot of springs with leaves added to perk them up a little.
Neil Wilson
Well-known member
This is very interesting info in that there was a 12 leaf spring!
When I did some front end maintenance on my 29 Cabriolet a few yrs ago I had a local mechanic in our club look at the 10 leaf Front Spring. He suggested he put an extra leaf in to beef it up so I did.The shocks were new at the time as well.The car rides great ! So I may remove one leaf given the fact I have new shocks and leave an extra (11 instead of 10) to beef up the old spring. I'm still confused though on why my spring seems to have a higher arch (5 5/8" )to it compared to the 10 leaf Spring Restoration (5 1/8") in Les Andrews book.
When I did some front end maintenance on my 29 Cabriolet a few yrs ago I had a local mechanic in our club look at the 10 leaf Front Spring. He suggested he put an extra leaf in to beef it up so I did.The shocks were new at the time as well.The car rides great ! So I may remove one leaf given the fact I have new shocks and leave an extra (11 instead of 10) to beef up the old spring. I'm still confused though on why my spring seems to have a higher arch (5 5/8" )to it compared to the 10 leaf Spring Restoration (5 1/8") in Les Andrews book.
Jimthebarber
New member
how do u remove the front leaves on my 1929 special coupe please help
Jim
Jim
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
Just unscrew the center bolt and the 2 leaf clamps, then remove the leaves you want to leave out. Depending on which leave you remove, you may need different leaf clamps.
RonC
Well-known member
these may be the best repros for new springs.
www.a-springs.com
www.a-springs.com