|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
01-03-2015, 05:15 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1
|
New Kid Needs Front Spring Advice for His M31
I have been following the forum in the shadows for quite a while now. I owned a 28 CCPU about 20 years ago, but regretfully sold it after a couple of years .(I remember snippets of the conversation with my wife "kids, college tuition, mortgage, yada yada,..."). 3 months ago, I purchased a M31 Roadster. I use the term M31 because it turns out to be "Mostly" 31.
I have been doing some Winter time projects on the car (installing a fuse, master cut off switch, seatbelts [I know the politics of the seatbelt issue and decided to install them], dropped the oil pan and scraped out 3/8" of crud, changed all the fluids, installed a new water pump, replaced the fan, turn signals using the cowl and rear lights.....etc.) I discovered a serious safety issue with the front spring. It has 11 leaves (I've counted them several times) not 10. The U-bolts and crank guide are square 28/29's. The castellated nuts are barely threaded on, with no hope of using cotter pins. Pics attached. The spring shackles are 1/4"+ off of the axle. Obviously the new kid needs to do something. Les Andrews, in his book, states that the front spring can easily be removed without a spreader. True/False Remove the top leaf and try for a better fit? It looks like the removal of one leaf still wouldn't allow the spring bottom clip bar to nest in the cross frame. What should I order if I go this route. Order a new front spring from? (I need your advice here). What else should I order if I go this route. I don't think it is an issue with the square U-bolts vs. round, although I will change over to the correct U bolts for a 31. Thanks for you help and advice in advance. (The kids did go to college and the mortgage is paid off.) |
01-03-2015, 05:35 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South East NJ
Posts: 3,398
|
Re: New Kid Needs Front Spring Advice for His M31
The nuts are incorrect.
The originals were a 7/8" hex and would be hard, as in file would not make marks. There should not be lock washers only cotter pins. What you have there might not be safe. The U bolts were prone to stretching. When buying U bolts, should you decide to, look for uniform thread spacing. Some are stretched and the threads are a bit wider in those areas. This is very common and very pronounced as I passed on many U bolts at the flea market till I found a nice pair. I strongly suggest that you use only original U bolts and nuts. Do not attempt to chase the threads with tap or die. Ford used tighter tolerence threading in many areas and this is one of them. As a general rule hand clean threads with wire wheels and right angle picks. Do not use a tap an die on any of the A nuts and bolts unless you know for sure they are not tighter tolerance. One guage for spring height is the axle position relative to the front splash apron. Bumper height has too many variables. Get even with the front of the axle. You should be able to see about half the axle peeking out from behind the splash apron. This is based on what I have seen in factory photos. It is not a perfect gauge, but I believe it is less prone to error. You also need to look at the relative position of the shackles. They push out as the spring gets weaker. Your spring, if it is good (I would question that), would need a good tear down and lubrication. Then you will have a problem if you do not have working shocks as a good working spring and no shocks can make for a difficult to drive above 25 MPH car. In reality I would feel safe in making a broad comment that your car needs to have the full front axle removed and rebuilt from scratch for safety. The mix of nuts holding it on is a good indication that everything is suspect of being improperly assembled. Yes, I am implying you are opening a can of worms. This is what it takes to make a safe car that is a pleasure to drive. |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
01-03-2015, 05:45 PM | #3 |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA
Posts: 6,066
|
Re: New Kid Needs Front Spring Advice for His M31
Take Kevin's advice... also join up with a Model A Ford club in your area if you have not already...Right now that is part of the problem also.
Pluck |
01-03-2015, 09:34 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Danbury Ct
Posts: 1,254
|
Re: New Kid Needs Front Spring Advice for His M31
Let me just add a request for all new members to include their location in their profile. "TNT" could be in my town and I would enjoy helping him out, but I would never know from his info.
|
01-03-2015, 10:03 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,520
|
Re: New Kid Needs Front Spring Advice for His M31
Tnt9848, I see it says you are in SE Michigan. How far are you from Monroe?
|
01-03-2015, 10:12 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Columbia, TN.38401
Posts: 422
|
Re: New Kid Needs Front Spring Advice for His M31
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
|
01-03-2015, 11:46 PM | #7 | |
Senior Member
|
Re: New Kid Needs Front Spring Advice for His M31
Quote:
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II |
|
01-04-2015, 12:44 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,868
|
Re: New Kid Needs Front Spring Advice for His M31
I believe theses are the best springs on the market if you decide to replace.
http://www.a-springs.com |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|