1947 Big Truck Front Leaf Spring Change

dorvedahl47pu

dorvedahl47pu

Senior Member
Good afternoon. I bought a 1947 1.5 ton grain truck and had a broken passenger/right front leaf spring. The old spring broke clean off aft of the axle. As a result the spring was only attached via the front shackle and the u bolts. I embarked on this adventure using only my old Norwegian brain. Removed the old spring with no issues. Replacement spring attached to the axle, then front shackle attached. Problem is rear of spring is no where near the rear attachment point.

Can anyone point me toward some procedures for how to do this properly?

Thanks.

Dale
 
Sometimes when I work on springs I break down the spring to just the main leaf. The one leaf is a bit more flexible, then assemble the rest of the stack once the main spring is mounted. Gonna be challenging on a big truck, hope others have better ideas.
 
How does the length, eye to eye, compare with the left spring? I agree with Skip….breaking down the spring and start with just the main leaf……….Mark
 
Like the two characters above, I always build a new stack below after I get the top one in place. C clamps are your friend and it's a good thing the spring center bolts are available at napa in long 'cut to length' sizes. I have never bought a new spring pack. I tend to drag home truck leaf springs when I come across them and mix and match as I go. In your case with a new spring, just do as Skip and Mark have said. Of course I just had to add my .02 because I'm a big jailbar freak and I kinda have a leaf spring thing as well....
 
I measured the replacement spring (not new, used) against the broken one and its the same length. Not excited about breaking down that 11-leaf spring but if that's what it takes, then I guess that's what I'll do. I'm trying to sell this truck and was going to be nice and change the spring first. I should have left it for the next guy. LOL Thanks "flatford8."
 
Thanks to all 3 of you guys for replying. I will try what you have all suggested. I had a thought. Could it be possible that the right end of the axle is out of place? Reason I ask is that with it breaking off aft of the axle, and therefore the rear attachment point no longer a player, could the axle have shifted forward slightly due to play in the front shackle?
 
I would expect the axle to shift some. Might loosen up the driver side spring and see if you're able to install the passenger side spring all in one piece. You say the springs are the same length, so I would suspect that may be the issue. I've replaced many leaf springs and never had a problem doing it with the springs assembled. Good luck!
 
Update: I loosened the U bolts on left side spring and with a come-along moved the right axle aft and lined up the rear mount holes. A couple bangs on the pin and the spring was in. Success.
 
I had one for quite a while . Let it slip away to a guy in Seattle. You should start your own thread on this topic, as adding this onto a thread about 1 1/2 and 2 ton front springs isn't really how these forums work. Glad to see someone has interest in these. If you have one, share it with us. If you are looking for one, you should post in the swap meet. Here's a teaser, but I could start a thread that you can join in on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9Hkt6NE0Xw
 

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If one spring broke there is good chance the other one is about to. Springs have a replacement life; they get old and weak and eventually they should both be replaced. I replaced a lot of broken springs on big trucks, and I learned the hard way it's better to replace both springs on the same axle and then the vehicle is safe. I realize new springs are expensive, but I want to do it once and be done with it.
 
GB SISSON said:
I had one for quite a while . Let it slip away to a guy in Seattle. You should start your own thread on this topic, as adding this onto a thread about 1 1/2 and 2 ton front springs isn't really how these forums work. Glad to see someone has interest in these. If you have one, share it with us. If you are looking for one, you should post in the swap meet. Here's a teaser, but I could start a thread that you can join in on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9Hkt6NE0Xw
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576241
 

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Dang!!! That just might be the nicest example of one of these trucks I have ever seen! Your Utah climate has saved this beauty, but a careful owner has contributed greatly by treating it well and not banging into stuff. It is in truly remarkable condition. I see it has no engine or ******, What are your plans and expectations and please keep us in the loop as you make progress. Holy Cow, just look at them there Floors. Yer killin' me.
 
l know, I couldn't believe the condition when I bought it. I have the engine and ******. Unfortunately, the engine was disassembled by the previous owner when I bought it due to it being stuck. One cylinder is a little rusty. The block had a number of stuck/broken head bolts that I have had removed. I think I can just clean up the rusty cylinder and put her back together with new rings. I just haven't gotten that far yet. Too many other projects....
 

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