Leaf spring banding problem

[Keith R.]

I'm re-banding my leaf springs using the Corvette Central banding kit and Signode C5823 banding tool leased from them as well. When I use the tool to crimp the spring band clips, it chews up the rubber liner and compresses it under the spring band. I've tried pressing down on the rubber liner lips with the banding tool to try to crimp just the metal clamp and it comes out worse than placing it over the entire assembly. I also cut some small strips of metal to place at the side of the rubber liner next to the clip and that didn't work either. Has anyone else run into this problem and is there a solution or do I just have to live with it?

[Bob B.]

Re: Leaf spring banding problem

Keith,

Sounds like you must have done a super job of tightening the stainless bands if there is no room for the crimper. Maybe just a wee bit less tight on the bands so you can lift them just enough for crimping?

Also, the available crimper makes a crimp that pushes upward from the spring, whereas the original crimpers pushed the crimp downward. I've heard that it is possible to modify the crimper to do this, but I haven't looked into that as yet.

Good Luck,

Bob

[Richard M.]

Re: Leaf spring banding problem

Bob is right, you need to relieve the tightness of the band so it should not over-compress the liner. The finished band should be loose over the leaves. Below are pics of what I did a few years ago using a modified crimp tool. I could slide the finished bands a little so they don't bind. The bands are not 100% correct and have 2 crimps. Last few pics are original band and clamp.

Rich

P8120005.jpg P8120006.jpg P8180019.jpg P8180020.jpg

[Joe M.]

Re: Leaf spring banding problem

AS mentioned above, the bands do not have to be tight, just snug. Once they are mounted on the car, there is very little wiggle room and the snug bands are sufficient to keep the leaves in line. I purchased a $9.95 crimping tool on e-bay and modified it to make an exact copy of the original crimp for the clips on my 1960. If you are striving for originality, be sure you remove the end clips from the short leaves. Originals did not have metal clips on the short leaves. I think that if I had been careful, I could have removed the original clips and reused them; too late now.

[Keith R.]

Re: Leaf spring banding problem

That could be the problem certainly. Corvette Central's instructions direct one person to take Channellocks and tighten the metal band by leveraging it again the metal jig and drawing it tight while the other person crimps the clamp. We had the band pretty tight while crimping and that might have grabbed the rubber along with the band and forced it under the band. I also noted in your photo that you placed the rubber joint at the bottom of the leaf opposite the clip and I was placing it under the clip. I don't know which method is correct but placing the rubber joint under the clip would certainly allow more movement of the rubber while performing the crimp. I've send an inquiry to Corvette Central and the guy that put together the crimping tool kit is looking at this problem as well. I do not have a response yet but will post it when I do for the benefit of the group. I will also post photos of the boogered up bands to the thread.

[Joe M.]

Re: Leaf spring banding problem

I went back and looked at a photo I took after completing the banding operation and you can see that some of the rubber is chewed up, but the crimped clip turned out good. I think you need to loosen the band enough to get the crimping tool under the edges of the clip, then tighten the band with the vice grips; then crimp the retaining clip.

[Donald H.]

Re: Leaf spring banding problem

I used a tool I bought at Harbor Freight. It was designed to put two crimps in the clip, so I modified it to only do the one. Its been a while since I did mine, but as I recall I got my best results by putting one end of the band into the clip the the clip into the crimping tool then routed the other end of the band through teh clip. That way I didn't have to force the tool around the clip and band. I also had help. I left the band loose then had my son tighten the band with channel locks or similar then I squeezed the crimping tool.

Here's a picture of mine.

DonNew banding.jpg

[Keith R.]

Re: Leaf spring banding problem

Here is the response that I received from Corvette Central. I am posting it here for the good of the group.

"I talked with Jerry who made the tools and wrote the instructions included with these kits. He says You definitely want to get the crimper to push down the edges of the rubber liner so it sits inside the rubber and does not chew it up. He was able to achieve the proper result by doing this with the Signode tools that we rent, as well as all of the other customers who have tried it so far (19 since we started renting these tools 2 years ago). You are going to have to ensure that You have the tool centered on the clip to get the best result. "

[Troy P.]

Re: Leaf spring banding problem

The joint in the rubber goes on the underside. Band clamp goes on the top. Technically the clamp is known as a seal in the banding industry.

[John F.]

Re: Leaf spring banding problem

My original 62.

[Bill O.]

Re: Leaf spring banding problem

When I did a set of these I used a thin piece of sheet metal to put in between the clip and the rubber liner. I crimped and then pulled it out which kept the tool from damaging the liner and allowed me to crimp tightly. It pulled out easily.