Advice for restoring C1 leaf springs

[Frank B.]

I reached a point in the restoration of my '60 where I have decided to restore the leaf springs, and have read many of the previous threads on this subject. I have a couple of questions I am hoping folks can help me with. Based experience whose liner and banding kit is best to use ( Paragon, CC, or ????)? I believe I have the original banding on the springs and will attempt to carefully remove the clamps and bands to reuse them as others have done. Is reusing the clamps and banding with new rubber the preferred approach or should I use a complete new set(clamps, banding, and rubber)? Are the any helpful hints to help to removing the clamps and banding? Any other advice which might help? - Thanks in advance

[Richard M.]

Re: Advice for restoring C1 leaf springs

Frank, Yes I'd salvage the original bands and clamps and use the new rubber. The repro bands and clamps are not exactly like the originals.

Just carefully pry the edges of the clamps with a thin screwdriver and they'll come apart.

Originals
P8180018.jpg P8180020.jpg P8180019.jpg

Reproductions
P8180022.jpg

[Thomas H.]

Re: Advice for restoring C1 leaf springs

Frank,

I normally buy most everything from Paragon. I'm redoing the springs on my 58 and just got the banding kit in last week. Not correct at all. The bands had no serrations and the clamps were too big. I returned the kit.

Other vendors seem to have the correct bands looking at their pictures so I'll need to go elsewhere.

When I redid the springs on my 60, I did exactly what Rich suggested for the clips but was able to actually reuse the original bands as well. I just replaced the rubber parts.

Tom

[Troy P.]

Re: Advice for restoring C1 leaf springs

Serrations varied from year to year and maybe even car to car. Best to reuse originals if feasible.