The Ford Barn

Res731 · 12-07-2016, 01:09 PM

I never noticed the front was cracked until I took it apart. I was surprised at how little tension there was and then I found several cracked. Strangely enough all the broken ones are replacements (i.e. have the square ends). Anyone ever experience the replacements break but the originals are still good?

3.6rs · 12-07-2016, 01:22 PM

Personnaly I have no experience, but I know someone who had 2x broken front springs in 1 year ! Don't know if they where originals or repro.

SeaSlugs · 12-07-2016, 01:42 PM

Either the arch was wrong, improper spring material in the first place, or someone didnt have the spring to fame u bolts tight enough.

Ive had plenty of broken ford springs. Usually the main leaf with the eyes.

ursus · 12-07-2016, 01:58 PM

A lot of the square ended replacements came from JC Whitney back in the day. I could see where they might have a different flex pattern and metallurgy as compared to the original Ford spring leaves. After thousands of flex cycles they might not be working together so well as a mixed assembly.

ian Simpson · 12-08-2016, 12:53 AM

I have not experienced this with a Model A, but some 50 plus years ago I used to transport my racing motorcycles in a 1960 Ford (UK) Thames van. It was typically overloaded and driven far too fast. I had to make a series of repairs to the rear springs, each of which failed rapidly. Usually the failure was breaking of the replacement leaves, I finally replaced both springs with totally new material. Never had another problem. I have no explanation what was going on.

Res731 · 12-08-2016, 09:10 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thanks for the feedback - sounds like I should just replace the whole thing

SeaSlugs · 12-08-2016, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian Simpson

I have not experienced this with a Model A, but some 50 plus years ago I used to transport my racing motorcycles in a 1960 Ford (UK) Thames van. It was typically overloaded and driven far too fast. I had to make a series of repairs to the rear springs, each of which failed rapidly. Usually the failure was breaking of the replacement leaves, I finally replaced both springs with totally new material. Never had another problem. I have no explanation what was going on.

Weird, I wonder if it has to do with one is being made into a specific part designed to carry a specific load (spring pack) so it may follow a very specific recipe to the steel and temper while the add a leaf or single leaf is a generic spring steel recipie. Im guessing they snapped right at the center hole?

100IH · 12-08-2016, 06:51 PM

All of the the original leaves, squatted out and useless, now replacement wrong leaves doing all the work.

12-07-2016, 01:22 PM	#2
3.6rs Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Belgistan (formerly known as Belgium) Posts: 573	Re: Broken Spring Personnaly I have no experience, but I know someone who had 2x broken front springs in 1 year ! Don't know if they where originals or repro.

12-07-2016, 01:42 PM	#3
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Broken Spring Either the arch was wrong, improper spring material in the first place, or someone didnt have the spring to fame u bolts tight enough. Ive had plenty of broken ford springs. Usually the main leaf with the eyes. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

12-07-2016, 01:58 PM	#4
ursus Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,374	Re: Broken Spring A lot of the square ended replacements came from JC Whitney back in the day. I could see where they might have a different flex pattern and metallurgy as compared to the original Ford spring leaves. After thousands of flex cycles they might not be working together so well as a mixed assembly.

12-08-2016, 12:53 AM	#5
ian Simpson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 709	Re: Broken Spring I have not experienced this with a Model A, but some 50 plus years ago I used to transport my racing motorcycles in a 1960 Ford (UK) Thames van. It was typically overloaded and driven far too fast. I had to make a series of repairs to the rear springs, each of which failed rapidly. Usually the failure was breaking of the replacement leaves, I finally replaced both springs with totally new material. Never had another problem. I have no explanation what was going on.

12-08-2016, 09:10 AM	#6
Res731 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Westlake, ohio Posts: 107	Re: Broken Spring Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the feedback - sounds like I should just replace the whole thing

12-08-2016, 06:51 PM	#8
100IH Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 970	Re: Broken Spring All of the the original leaves, squatted out and useless, now replacement wrong leaves doing all the work.