How to lube a squeaky front spring- UPDATE

[700rpm]

I've got a squeaky front spring. The shackles are freshly lubricated. The squeak is definitely from the spring itself, maybe where it meets the crossmember. When I worked in the Shell station in 1962, we had a milky white liquid we squirted on squeaky springs. I don't know what it was, but it worked. What do you all suggest for today, short of removing and disassembling the spring?

UPDATE: I followed Tom, Marshall, Mitch and Bill's suggestions this morning, and the squeak is gone. Tom, I do have the later crank bearing with the hole.

Nice to have friends in high places.

Mitch, the attached image is from my garage wall. I thought you'd appreciate it.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Check your hand crank bearing to see if it has a hole to add oil to the spring. This was added I think during 1929 and is pointed out in the Service Bulletins. I would use a small paint brush to brush oil over the top and sides of the spring.

[C26Pinelake]

I have had good luck with aerosol penetrating oil. Wayne

[700rpm]

Thanks Tom. I've seen that in the FSB, but never tried it. Good reminder.

[fastroadster]

Hey Ray, that white oil was probably a mixture of soluable oil and water?? Used it for everything...... it was Cheap

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

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Ray,
Just spray it with a good penetrating oil, 'til it DRIBBLES & wipe it good.
Bill Easy

[Mitch//pa]

What dad said ..

And to add
If you jack up the car by the frame rail the Spring pack will relax a little at the ends which will aide in getting the lubricant in...

[Marshall V. Daut]

If you follow Mitch's suggestion (which is what I was going to suggest if someone hadn't beaten me to the punch!), be sure to loosen or remove the two spring clips so that while the front end is hanging in suspension, the leaves can be pried apart and lube sprayed between them. Don't forget to tighten the clips again or there'll be a terrible rattle from the front end that will drive you nuts!
Marshall

[Mike V. Florida]

This would be perfect, a little graphite grease and your good to go;

Leaf spring lubricator

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

This would be perfect, a little graphite grease and your good to go;

Leaf spring lubricator

There is no substitute for the right tool!

[700rpm]

Fixed it.

[Henry's Lady's Man]

I bought me one of these too. The handle is filled with grease, and screws into the tomahawk head. As you screw the handle in, grease is forced from a hole between the two blades and between the spring leaves that you so lovingly hammered this device between. You have to move it around to many different spots between the leaves, but that's how it was done, I figure. The tool predates the Model A, and I think I read that it is from the teens or 20's.
NO, I haven't had the pleasure of using mine yet... the springs don't squeak!

DSCF1981.jpg

DSCF1982.jpg

[Tom Wesenberg]

Preventative maintenance................you use the tool before the spring squeaks.

[old31]

So, is the Tomahawk really needed or could you spray in oil, or silicone and be just as good?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by old31

So, is the Tomahawk really needed or could you spray in oil, or silicone and be just as good?

My 29 Tudor was bone dry and rode like a farm wagon. I squirted oil all over the springs and it made a world of difference. The oil will wick it's way in. Just squirt it with oil each time you change oil.

[davidlee1313]

I've seen spring covers with pads soaked in oil from the supply houses - do they do the job?

[jack99]

Try John Deere slip plate graphite spray. It works great. Just jack up the car so the spring relaxes and spray the Slip Plate on the spring and will last a year.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by davidlee1313

I've seen spring covers with pads soaked in oil from the supply houses - do they do the job?

Yes, I like them, but have only used them on restored and lubed springs.

[ian Simpson]

Back in the sixties when working in Scotland, I drove a Ford Thames 15 cwt van. As I lived on the coast there was significant corrosion problems from fogs and rains. Not to mention paint damage from the gulls!

The back leaf springs needed constant attention to stop squeaks. I used a horticultural spray bottle loaded with penetrating oil every four weeks or so and the problem was solved.

[GMCPASO]

I have one of these. Many people don't know what they are. Ha.