Rear Spring Banding

[Richard M.]

Re: Rear Spring Banding

I also have reused original clips by carefully removing them and reshaping them. I modified a Northern Tool Co crimp tool to get the single side crimps and tested it on flat repro clips. I use a C-Clamp and spring clamps to hold the sides of the strap tightly before crimping. The strap should be allowed to move a bit when the spring leaves move.

[Mark P.]

Re: Rear Spring Banding

Thanks everyone. The modifications Richard did look pretty time consuming. Not just reconfiguring dies. I'll give it a try.

[Troy P.]

Re: Rear Spring Banding

Nice photos. I also modified the same tool and have used clamps like you show. We are on the same page.

Its been a while since I modified the tool but it seems to me that I found two leaves stacked together made a crimp that was somewhat wider than original. So I ground down one leaf to make it thinner.

I have a set of original bands I cut off and will attempt to pry off the clamps. Perhaps someone will need them.

I suppose you know that the springs were painted after assembly - after the liners and bands were installed.

[Keith R.]

Re: Rear Spring Banding

Corvette Central sells the bands with serrated marks.

[Keith R.]

Re: Rear Spring Banding

This is really a two man job. One person holds the bands taut while the other crimps the bands. They do not have to be super taut - in fact, they should fit somewhat loosely around the spring leafs. I rented the crimping tool from CC and found that I could produce a decent crimp after a bit of trial and error and ruining a number of clamps. You have to carefully position the crimping teeths to make sure that the crimp occurs in the middle of the clamp.