Re: replacingfront spring on31cc pickup

Posted by Glen Weilbaker on November 07, 1997 at 13:11:31

In Reply to: Re: replacingfront spring on31cc pickup
posted by Mike Flanagan on November 06, 1997 at 23:58:15

Steve,
Mike be right, check everything out with the buggy first. Could be something at the opposite corner making a optical dilusion, don't replace or repair unless you are positivily sure. Stuff in this "hobbie" gets expensive, fast!
Have fun tinkering,
GW
: The first thing you have to do is be very careful. The only difference between a boomerang and a Model A spring is you have to chase the spring, it won't come back. If you are able to chase it... people have been killed!
: Next make sure the spring is the miscreant. Can be a bent frame, bent axle.... Put the car on a flat concrete surface and get on a creeper and start measureing one side against the other. soon you will begin to get the picture of exactly what is phushimo. If the car sat for a long period of time one shock could be frozen (my Sport Coupe) holding one side artifically high or low. Lots to consider before you start rippin'!
: You do not have to remove the radiator. It makes the job easier to remove the front splash apron but even that is not essential. The front spring is easier to remove than the rear. If you do not have a spreader you can remove the front as follows. I put a floor jack under the frame on one side and jack the car vertically away from the front axle. This raises the shackle. Wedge a piece of wood under the end of the spring and lower the jack until the shackle is free enough to be removed. Raise the car once more to relieve the tension on the spring/wood. The other side is easier now that the spring is not restrained by the shackle on the other side. The Spring can be replaced this way but I do not recommend it. A spring spreader is best. One step better is a new friend that has a spreader and is willing to lend a helping hand. If he knows what he's doing 20 minutes and the spring is on the floor.
: Then there is disassembling the spring. Again be careful. If you have never done something like this before get help.
: If you take it to a spring shop they will dismantle and re-arch. I usually just chamfer the bottom of the ends and sand the top side of the springs where the ends of the upper have worn into the lower spring. When reassembling I put a light coat of grease mixed with STP between the leaves. BETTER HAVE SHOCK ABSORBERS AFTER THIS. Ever hear of a ping pong ball?
: Have fun but be careful, with all due respect when it comes to springs a little ignorance can go a mighty long way....
: God Speed Under 50.
: The Model A Fool.
: : I just purchased a 31 closed cab pickup that leans a little to the right. What kind of problems will i have this winter replacing the front spring???
: : I have never done this before but realize i need to remove the radiator to get to the bolts..what else???
: : Thanks for any information you can give...new to the A hobbie.
: : steve

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