Leaf springs

[Dale C.]

A safety issue came to mind when I took the bolt out that holds the springs together. In the picture in my recent post about mixing leafs, that lower flat spring flew off when I took the bolt out. If they all conformed and had roughly the same arch they would have stayed relatively in the same place. I had the right concept when I put heavy duty ties on each of the spring ends but when the bolt/nut cleared it broke the ties and almost took my feet off as I was standing in the arch. The ties didn't hold as the tension was so great. So the second set I plan on separating, to refinish, I am clamping to hold the springs in place, so I have control.
Dale

[Gary B.]

Re: Leaf springs

Dale,

The arch of the six curved leaves in a two-stage 9-leaf spring is not the same on each leaf. So it it to be expected that when the center bolt is removed the leaves will spring apart with some force. The main leaf is definitely less arched than the other curved leaves.

Gary