Rear Spring - Who Done-This ?

[Drbrown]

Two years of a '47 with little known history. Previous owner lowered back end by altering the spring. As seen in photos, the two shortest spring leafs were reversed and remain effectively unused in the spring assembly, the spring has very little arch, and at a stand-still there is about 3 inches of clearance between axle and rubber frame bumpers. The spring shackle bolts measure 2-1/2 inches c. to c.

Car has factory tube shocks on rear. Tube shocks seem okay but car bottoms-out occasionally over large pot-holes/road bumps (no rear seat passengers). The lower shock bracket has three optional mounting holes - currently bolted in middle hole.

The upper edge of the fender wheel-well sits even with the top edge of the wide-white band of the tires.

Was this a typical way to lower a car's appearance ? Does the lack of a substantial spring arch result in a potential problem (evidently none yet) ?

[fordor41]

my '41 front has half the leaves removed(every other leaf), stock rotary shocks. I trimmed the front axle bumper down about half way and I don't get any noticeable bottoming even with the shocks set a full soft. Are the shocks bottoming out or is the axle housing hitting the bumpers. Put a glob of grease on the bumper and take it for a ride. If no grease on the housing I'd investigate the shock position

[Bulligen]

I have done it as well with no ill effects. In the 50 and 60s it was done all the time.You also have to remember our roads are much improved over the washboard gravel and such from the time these cars were new! Have fun!

[Terry,OH]

Do you have the original rear cross member? Usually the rear spring is mostly hidden inside the crossmember. Your photo shows it's entire length and height as visible.

[flathead48]

DrBrown, I rememberer back in the fifties they used longer spring shackles to lower the body and left the spring original.

[51 MERC-CT]

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Originally Posted by flathead48

DrBrown, I rememberer back in the fifties they used longer spring shackles to lower the body and left the spring original.

And we found out after installing long shackles the need to install a sway bar if the car didn't have one.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by flathead48

DrBrown, I rememberer back in the fifties they used longer spring shackles to lower the body and left the spring original.

Longer shackles will lower the car, but it will not soften the ride.

[sidevalve8ba]

I think Fordor41 is onto something. I'd say it's a good chance the shocks are bottoming out first. Check that and adjust your mounting hole accordingly and you should see a difference.

[big deuce]

When that spring was flattened, the eye to eye is too far apart. Shackles should be at 45 degrees. Using a reverse eye main leaf would lower it an inch+, and it could keep its natural arc; keeping your shackles at 45 degrees.

[Ol' Ron]

I disagree with the 45 deg shackle angle. 45 deg shackle angle were used to reduce sway. Ford went to the vertical angle to improve ride, but installed a track bar to reduce sway. But yes, the spring is too long. The number of leaves control the spring rate.

[big deuce]

That make sense, was not aware of the track bar.

[mustang8]

So it is still safe to remove one or two leafs on the front? I have a 48 f1 truck and would like to lower the front an inch or so. Thanks. Luke

[40cpe]

Originally Posted by Drbrown

Car has factory tube shocks on rear.

Not that it matters a lot, but it looks like the lower shock brackets are welded to the axle tube. I've not seen that from the factory. Your main leaf eye is reversed also. I recently reversed the eye in my '38 and it had 10 spring leafs, the '48 might have had more because it is heavier. I think I count six leaves in your spring, not counting the two ineffective ones on the bottom. All the spring mods add up for the low rear stance.

[42merc]

The photos show a stock spring with the top two leaves relocated to the bottom of the stack. This lowers the car & also acts as spacers so the clamps can clamp.
The shackles are stock & at the proper angle for a '42 to '48.
The track bar controls the sway.

I don't see a reversed eye spring.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by mustang8

So it is still safe to remove one or two leafs on the front? I have a 48 f1 truck and would like to lower the front an inch or so. Thanks. Luke

You can remove as many leaves as you want, the limiting factors are too soft a ride and bottoming out when you hit a bump.

[40cpe]

Originally Posted by 42merc

I don't see a reversed eye spring.

OOPS, It is my thinking that is reversed, sorry.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Terry,OH

Do you have the original rear cross member? Usually the rear spring is mostly hidden inside the crossmember. Your photo shows it's entire length and height as visible.

That's how it is in '41 Terry.

[Talkwrench]

Just don't remove the second main spring out of the pack, front or rear. When I got my pick up the previous owner had that spring missing leaving about 4 -5" of the main shackle spring [front] which was now bending backwards and trying to supporting the whole car just on the now weakened spring ...Agghhh!

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by Talkwrench

Just don't remove the second main spring out of the pack, front or rear. When I got my pick up the previous owner had that spring missing leaving about 4 -5" of the main shackle spring [front] which was now bending backwards and trying to supporting the whole car just on the now weakened spring ...Agghhh!

Not always the case, with reversed eyes you often have to remove the second spring or at lease modify and shorten it. I remove it.