Front spring removal

J

JonC

Well-known member
I have noticed a sag in my truck. The front spring needs to come out and I would like to know if I can do this without removal of the front axle and wishbones. Will I be able to block up the frame, remove the shackles, drop the axle and unbolt the spring from the frame?
 
You don't state the year, but yes, you can block up the frame and remove the spring. Depending on the year you may need a spring spreader to release the tension in the spring before removing the shackles.
 
A 40 will require a spring spreader, but you do not need to remove the brake hoses (assuming there is enough slack in the hoses). Need to unbolt the spring at the center of the front cross member and remove the U-bolts. The spring spreader will relive the pressure in the spring so that the shackles can be removed. The shackles may be very difficult to get out depending on their condition. Be careful with the spring, it has a lot of power stored in it when under tension. If you need to take the spring apart there have been several threads on that topic.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...ront-shackle-kit-for-1940-ford-pickup.619439/

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/re-visiting-the-very-cheesy-1-79-spring-tool.646689/

http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130993&highlight=spring+spreader
 
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JSeery said:
A 40 will require a spring spreader, but you do not need to remove the brake hoses (assuming there is enough slack in the hoses). Need to unbolt the spring at the center of the front cross member and remove the U-bolts. The spring spreader will relive the pressure in the spring so that the shackles can be removed. The shackles may be very difficult to get out depending on their condition. Be careful with the spring, it has a lot of power stored in it when under tension. If you need to take the spring apart there have been several threads on that topic.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...ront-shackle-kit-for-1940-ford-pickup.619439/
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JSeery has offered great and accurate advice. To reiterate in part of what he advised... be careful. Springs hold a lot of pressure. I did not look at the link he'd provided but will caution you against using a home made spreader out of any type of threaded rod. Yep, many guys have used it and it has worked. However, a few guys have used it and gotten hurt. Threaded rod is NOT designed for this type of application.
 
Agree with Kube, threaded rod and/or c-clamps can and have been used many times for this job, but there is an element of danger involved. Unless you have the experience I would suggest a good quality spreader. If you are not wanting to purchase one you can often borrow one.
 
Jon C. Rent a Port-A-Power to spread the spring unless you want to build one. The thread below describes in detail how I removed the original spring and installed the Posie reversed eye spring. I removed the spring without a spring spreader (the first time) but did make a spreader later on when I found the materials. I was surprised that there was not very much pressure required to spread the spring. It's a good read.http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=156697&highlight=remove+front+spring
 
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I'm about to pull the spring on the front of my '40 Tudor to reverse the eyes (or install a new Posie's spring). When spreading the spring, is it just a matter of going until you can feel the shackles are loose, or how do you know when you have it spread far enough?
 
Yes, you can feel when the shackles are loose enough to "wiggle'. Be sure to read my earlier post #7.
 
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countrysquire said:
I'm about to pull the spring on the front of my '40 Tudor to reverse the eyes (or install a new Posie's spring). When spreading the spring, is it just a matter of going until you can feel the shackles are loose, or how do you know when you have it spread far enough?
Click to expand...

When you go to use a spring spreader on a spring with REVERSED eyes, it soon becomes apparent that it's a whole different ballgame. There are several methods of getting the spreader to spread a reversed-eye spring, and the pic below shows one simple method using four short pieces of angle bolted together on the two ends of the main leaf for the spreader to fit into. DD

248653
 
Thanks every one I got the spring out today without damage. Monday it's off to the spring shop in Binghamton to get renewed. I want to keep the original style of tapered leaves so i am bringing a spring from a 46 (front) I hope they can use some of each to build me a good one.
 
I hadn't thought about spreading it with the eyes reversed, but that sure looks like an easy solution for how to do it. I just need to decide whether to reverse the eyes on the original old wrapped springs or spend the $179 for the Posies spring. I'm wondering how much lower the new spring would be than the 75 year old one that's in there now.


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