Ford part numbers are divided in to 3 sections – A 4-digit Prefix, the Basic Part Number andthen a Suffix The 4-digit Prefix breaks down like this – First Digit: Decade – C5ZZ5560D A = 1940’s, B = 1950’s, C = 1960’s, D = 1970’s, E = 1980’s, F = 1990’s, etc. Second Digit: Year […]
Spring Tech, One Minute At A Time
One Minute Monday
Watch the latest of our One Minute Monday series or browse the archive below
The Most Common Automotive Body Styles
Your car’s body style plays a significant part in your spring’s engineering. Make sure you’re using the correct terms when ordering your springs. Knowing what the body style of your car is when ordering springs is very important. Most people know what their body style is, but every now and then we have one that […]
Measuring Leaf Spring Free Arch
Measuring your current leaf springs right will ensure your replacement springs fit and perform just as you need. First tip: Don’t measure the arch from the floor! When measuring the free arch of a leaf spring, you want to be sure of doing it the right way. While standing the spring upside down on its […]
What is Spring Rate? And How Does It Effect My Ride?
Spring Rate, simply put, is the amount of rate required to deflect a spring one inch. But what does that mean to you? Simply put, spring rate is the amount of weight that is required to deflect or push down a spring one inch. It’s a bit more complicated than that, but this description will […]
Rubber Vs. Urethane Suspension Bushings
Bottom line: if you prefer comfort, go for rubber. If you need performance, go for urethane. Today’s subject is rubber versus urethane suspension bushings, and which are better. That answer depends on how the vehicle is to be used and what type of performance you desire. Rubber Bushings Rubber bushings are more compliant that is […]
Finishing Your Spring Install
You just installed your springs, but hold on! Make sure you finish the job right!
Installing New Springs Is Like Putting On New Shoes
It’s easy to take a worn part out. Not as easy to put a fresh part in. You know how, when you put on your old pair of shoes, your foot just slides right into them, but then you get a new pair and you may have to use a shoe horn, or maybe a […]
Vibrations After Installing New Springs?
When a car’s springs sag over time, other parts get worn down too. Installing new springs with old hardware may cause vibrations in these parts. This is why it’s important to use fresh attaching parts when installing new springs. After replacing old springs, it is not uncommon for vibrations to appear. Unless you specify otherwise, […]
Got Driveline Vibration? Check Your U-Bolts
One of the leading causes of driveline vibration is the over tightening of the U-joint U-bolts. The proper way to tighten these U-bolts is to turn the nut until the lock washer is flat, then turn the nut one-eighth of a turn and no more. Any more pressure will deform the bearing. If your U-joint […]
Which Direction Should Leaf Springs Be Bowed?
Leaf springs do their job whether they’re smiling or frowning. Some do their job with a completely flat expression. They all do their job well, if that was how the manufacturer designed it. A question we get asked many times is what way should my leaf springs be bowed on my vehicle? Should it be […]
How Leaf Spring Lowering Blocks Cause Axle Wind Up
Lowering a leaf spring suspension should be done correctly to avoid handling issues. Here’s why lowering blocks aren’t the magic bullet. Last week, we explained how reversing leaf spring eyes can lower a vehicle. This week, we’ll explain how using lowering blocks is not a good way to lower or raise a vehicle. Where the […]
Measuring Ride Height Drop From Reversing Leaf Spring Eyes
Reversing your leaf spring eyes will provide a drop, but exactly how much of a drop? Here’s how to calculate ride height drop when you reverse your spring eyes. Ride Height Difference From Reversing One Leaf Spring Eye If you have one eye reversed, the drop will be one half of the diameter of the […]
How To Fix Squeaking Leaf Springs
There are two causes of leaf spring squeak: tight eye bolts or shackles, and mis-torqued u-bolts. You’ve just installed a new set of leaf springs, and you hear a squeak! The squeak could be coming from the springs, or they could be coming from somewhere else. But for now, let’s focus on how leaf springs […]
Rebound Clips Group Leaves To Make Them Stronger Together
Multi-leaf springs resist breaking thanks to rebound clips. Here’s why. What are those bands that are around your leaf springs? They are called rebound clips. A leaf spring does not break when it is being compressed, it breaks when the load is suddenly released. As the spring is being compressed with a load, each leaf […]
All About Leaf Spring Centerbolts
Ever wonder the function of a leaf spring centerbolt? There are several more than you’d imagine! Have you ever noticed on every leaf spring there is a bolt holding all the leaves together? Even though on most springs the bolt is not in the middle of the spring, it is still called the center bolt. […]
The Difference Between Standard & Heavy Duty Springs
What is the difference between standard and heavy-duty springs? Quite simple! Heavy-duty springs are a bit stronger and will carry a heavier load than standard duty springs. A big misconception is that heavy-duty springs will set a vehicle higher. That is not true. Both standard duty and heavy duty springs will set a vehicle at […]
The Cars of Cuba – Cienfuegos
The Cars of Santiago, Cuba
We Make Springs For Launch Pads, Tackling Dummies, and Wienermobiles Too
On this One Minute Monday, we look back at the extreme variety of applications we manufacture springs for. Not all our time is spent making springs for the vehicles we drive in shows. Besides the springs we make to keep your vehicle on the road, we have also made some springs for some very unusual […]
When To Replace Your Springs
If your vehicle rides OK, sits OK, and the leaves and coils look OK, then your springs are OK. If you want to change your stance or ride quality, or if a spring is broken in any way, it’s time to replace your springs. Give us a call and we’ll be glad to help.
Get Your U-Bolt Torque Right
Torque is more than the force required to open a beer bottle. The proper torque will keep your leaf spring from breaking. Use your manufacturer’s torque specs when tightening your U-bolts, or use our recommendations. U-bolts provide the clamping force required to hold leaf springs to the axle and the right torque is very important. […]
Why Shot Peening Is Important For Your Leaf and Coil Springs
Shot peening is when hundreds of thousands of round little steel balls bombard a spring’s surface during the heat treating process. Stresses naturally build up in the metal. The purpose of shot peening is to remove these inherited stresses. A spring that has been shot peened will last three to five times longer than a […]
How To Get Original Brochures For Your Classic Car for Free
The original brochures for classic vehicles are a snapshot of history and valuable mechanical information about your vehicle. Have you ever wished you could get the brochure the dealer gave out for your vehicle when it was new? Well, now you can! Go to our parts lookup page to look up your vehicle’s brochure for […]
How To Properly Torque Your Leaf Spring’s U-Bolts
U-bolts are what provide the clamping force needed to hold your springs to the axle. Any movement in the center bolt area can cause a spring to break so follow your manufacturers recommendations. If that is unavailable, use our recommendations your springs will thank you. Remember, torque your bolts to the recommended specifications immediately upon […]
Do Lowered Cars Have Stiffer Rides?
Here, Mike explains why lowering your vehicle can cause a stiffer ride, how a vehicle can be lowered too much, and explains the safe threshold to lower your vehicle with new springs and minimal effect on ride quality. You’ve installed springs on your vehicle that will set it lower than stock ride height, and it […]
The Danger of Improperly Chromed Springs
We get asked what our thoughts on chroming springs are often. We have to admit, a chrome spring looks real bitchin’, but it can be a disaster waiting to happen. An improperly chromed spring can lead to what is known as hydrogen embrittlement. Hydrogen embrittlement can cause a spring to shatter like a piece of […]
Why Do My New Coil Springs Fall Out?
A customer writes in to ask why their new coil springs fall out so easily during installation. Coil springs that have been in a car for a long time accumulate all sorts of cruft and debris that eventually sticks it in place. My new coil springs are falling out, is this normal? Ask The Spring […]
Dennis Gage on Getting American Made Springs
Dennis Gage visits National Parts Depot in Florida and talks about getting correct, American-made springs from EATON Detroit Spring
Five Keys To A Good Leaf Spring Suspension
Here are the five key factors to keep in mind when working with leaf spring suspensions for your classic car or hot rod. Making of a good leaf-spring suspension is pretty darn easy if five basic rules are followed. Use Multi-Leaf Springs Rule number one for making a good leaf spring suspension is the use […]
Selecting Mustang II Springs For Your Street Rod
So you need springs for your street rod’s Mustang II front end. How do you pick a spring when there are 23 options? You’re building a street rod, and one of the changes you’ve made is you’ve replaced the stock front end with a Mustang II. Now you have to decide what spring to use! […]
Why Unfinished Vehicles Tend To Sit Too High
Springs support weight, so if you measure the ride height of an unfinished vehicle, you won’t be measuring the final stance. You’ve just installed your new springs on your unfinished vehicle, and it sits too high. Keywords there were unfinished vehicle. Remember, springs support weight and all those things that have not been installed on […]
Mike Eaton Interviewed on Sam’s Garage
In this extended episode, listen to Mike Eaton talk with Sam Memmelo on his radio show, Sam’s Garage.
Installing Model A Leaf Springs
Model A springs need to be stretched around six inches before you’ll be able to install them into your vehicle. Rear Model A springs whether used on an original Model A, a street rod, or a restomod, can be a bugger to install. Not in the car, typical eye to eye length’s around 39 to […]
How To Readjust Tip Inserts Into Place
Sometimes tip inserts get whacked out of place during delivery. Here’s how to fix it with a screwdriver. Unfortunately, every now and then when leaf springs shipped through FedEx or UPS get banged around the tip inserts at the end of the spring can come out of the holes. To put them back in place, […]
Always Use Coil Spring Compressors When Installing Coil Springs
Whenever you are changing coil springs, especially the front springs, always use a coil spring compressor. Never try changing springs without a compressor. You will get hurt. For coils used on struts, use the compressor that grabs the coils on the outside. For non-strut coils, use the compressor that goes inside the spring. Need a […]
The Difference Between Important Spring Terms
Mike explains a few key terms related to the design and manufacture of springs of all kinds. We hear a lot of spring terms around here. Here are the important ones. Spring Rate Let’s start with spring rate. Simply put, spring rate is the amount of weight required to deflect a spring in 1 inch. […]
Three Types of Leaf Spring
There are three types of leaf springs. Multi-Leaf Springs Multi-leaf springs are made up from heat treated strips of SAE 5160 Steel, in diminishing lengths, formed to a predetermined arch and held together by a bolt to the center. Mono-Leaf Springs Mono-leaf springs are a single heat treated plate of steel whose thickness is uniformly […]
Calculating Spring Rate
Mike Eaton explains how to find your coils spring rate using a simple equation. This process is useful for those seeking to cut their coil springs, as it shows how cutting coils lead to a stiffer ride. (Hint: ordering new coils with custom specs, and you can preserve or even enhance your ride quality and […]
Leaf Spring Ends And Hysteresis
Which leaf spring end-type is best for trucks, and which end-type gives you the smoothest riding springs? There are three basic types: square, diamond point, and rolled. Square Ends Square, or constant thickness ends, are great for trucks, terrible for cars. It puts a concentration of all the pressure at the end of the leaf, […]
Cutting Coils Springs
Mike Eaton explains how to cut your coil springs for a desired ride height. Warning! Only Cut Springs With Tangential Ends Remember: only springs with a tangential end can be safely cut. Why’s that? Because square ends and pigtail ends are designed to make full contact with their mounting points and they would have to […]
Coil Spring Ends
The three basic coil spring ends are tangential, square, and pigtail. Here, Mike Eaton shows you how to recognize each type. We have three basic types of ends: Tangential Ends The end of the spring twists off into space. If you try to stand this spring up on its end it will fall over. Square […]
How To Paint Leaf Springs
First step, make sure it’s done in a well-ventilated area. Hang the spring by one of its eyes. Start by wiping the spring with acetone to remove any contaminates: grease oil dirt etc. Use a good quality high-temperature engine paint, color of your choosing, and give the springs three, four, or five light coats of […]
Measuring Ride Height – Don’t Use A Jack Stand
Mike Eaton explains why not to use a jack stand when measuring your ride height. The full weight of the completed vehicle, the wheels, and tires are all part of the equation.
How Easy Changing Leaf Springs Really Is
You’ve seen our leaf spring removal and reinstallation videos, but those are polished and edited for brevity. When you work on your springs yourself, you may find things don’t always go as smooth at the textbooks. This One Minute Monday is two minutes long to make a point.
How To Reinstall A Rear Leaf Spring
Watch as Mike explains the steps for how to install rear leaf springs. Start by putting in the front eye bolt. Do not tighten! Then attach the shackle again. Do not tighten! Raise the spring to the axle. Make sure the center bolt is in the hole. Install new U-bolts. Again, do not tighten. Reinstall […]
How To Remove A Leaf Spring
Block the tires! We don’t want to roll Raise the vehicle Place jack stands under the axle, both for safety and to keep the axle in place Remove the tire Remove the shock Remove the U-bolts Remove the rear shackle Remove the front eye bolt Voila! The spring will be in your hand.
What Are Tip Inserts Used For In Leaf Springs?
At the end of the leaves on many leaf springs, you’ll see what’s called tip inserts. The purpose of these inserts is to help reduce interleaf friction. Every manufacturer has their own idea on how they should look, how they should attach, and how they should be held in the spring. The video above has […]
How To Use The Ordering Form
Here we show how you can use the online ordering form to have springs manufactured for your exact vehicle.
How To Order Leaf and Coil Springs Online
Go to the ordering page here.
How To Measure Leaf Spring U-Bolts
This week, Mike explains the two different types of U-bolts you may encounter and how to measure them. Let’s start with the shape. We have square, we have round. Square U-bolts typically go over the spring, the round U-bolts typically go over the axle. Let’s measure the U-bolt. First thing we need to know is […]
How To Measure Shocks
When you need new shocks but you don’t know which shocks will fit your vehicle, you must do some measuring. If you’re building a car, and the shocks are not listed in a manufacturer’s catalog, get the car completed, set it on the ground with the tires the car’s going to be riding on, make […]
Different Types of Mounts on Shocks
Shocks mount on both ends, but what kind of ends are they? In this video, Mike points out shocks with studs, eyes, T-bars, and a few combinations. Two eyes Two studs A stud and an eye T-bar and a stud T-bar and an eye These are the most popular shock mounts. Here’s how to measure […]
Different Shocks for Classic Cars
Here, Mike shows the different types of shocks we offer for classic vehicles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2RGPU3lKHI
How Coil Springs Are Made
Mike Eaton explains how coil springs are manufactured on this One Minute Monday.