front spring number and condition

[crumbaa]

Two question.
1. Sand blasting front springs to refinish them and found hair line cracks running out from center hole toward the edges on the bottom side of 7 of the 12 springs. I know welding is not an option, are the cracks bad enough to warrant replacing the whole spring pack?

2. This a 1930 Cabriolet, is 12 leaves right?, and what is with the square ends on the 4th, 8th, and 12th springs?

 

[28ACoupe]

I would not use the springs without getting them fixed(if possible) by an actual spring company or replacing them. Replacements are a lot cheaper than replacing the car or someone's life if the spring breaks.

 

[Bill in SoCal]

. . . what is with the square ends on the 4th, 8th, and 12th springs?

The originals leaves have been replaced, and I would replace any that are cracked. Check with the suppliers, you should be able to replace any or all of the leaves with original leaves. I got original leaves from Bert's in Colorado as replacements for my damaged rear spring leaves. Bill

 

[RonC]

This manufacturer makes a really good repro if you go that route.
http://www.a-springs.com

 

[crumbaa]

I will break apart the one remaining original front spring pack that I have and see if I can get one good set of the two. If not a buck50 for new springs is small potatoes for the safety factor. I had not really thought such small cracks were a big deal but after thinking about the stress and load we are dealing with makes any flaw dangerous, why risk it indeed. Thanks Gentlemen.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

I will break apart the one remaining original front spring pack that I have and see if I can get one good set of the two. If not a buck50 for new springs is small potatoes for the safety factor. I had not really thought such small cracks were a big deal but after thinking about the stress and load we are dealing with makes any flaw dangerous, why risk it indeed. Thanks Gentlemen.

Those leafs with cracks are broken, they just haven't finished breaking yet.

Berts probably has the good original parts needed to make up the front spring.
I'd stick with the original 10 leaf pack.