We all know the quickest and cheapest way to change the ride height of a leaf spring equipped vehicle is by using blocks between the axle and a spring. Heck, it can’t get any simpler. Remove the U-bolt, slip a block in, bolt her back up, and, wa-la, a new stance. But there’s a price […]
Leaf Spring Tech Articles, Videos, and More
Since 1937, we have manufactured leaf springs for the automotive industry, restorations, street rods, NASA, and even Oscar Meyer Wienermobiles. If you have a question about leaf springs, odds are we answered it below or would be happy to help.
Browse dozens of tech articles, videos, and answered questions from our Ask The Spring Guru page.
Torque Your Leaf Springs U-bolts Properly
The best way to describe torque is by saying it is the force required to twist off the cap of a beer bottle. And this theory applies to nuts and bolts also, but in reverse. In other words, torque is the force required to keep a nut and bolt tight. U-bolts provide the clamping force […]
How To Fix Squeaking Leaf Springs
You’ve just spent some time installing your new set of Leaf Springs and you’re ready for a cold one. But when you push on the bumper, you hear a squeak! This makes you stop and think: Did I order the springs with the mouse option? Boy, I sure hope not. Is my rubber ducky stuck […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Busting Suspension Myths Slideshow
Mike will be at the Kentucky Expo Center for the NSRA Street Rod Nationals this Thursday busting suspension myths to pieces. Preview his presentation below and be sure to catch it if you go!
How We Make Our Leaf Springs (6 Minute Video)
Should I Replace One Broken Leaf Or Whole Spring?
Q – “I have a 1966 Imperial with one broken leaf. Should I replace just the broken leaf or the whole spring or both springs”? A – We find in very few cases that once the old spring is taken apart that the rest of the leaves are any good. Age and use takes its […]
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