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 […]
Manufacturing Springs - Articles, Videos, and Physics
To properly manufacture springs, you need to match blacksmithing and physics to a vehicle's specific requirements. There is no such thing as 'one-size-fits-all' in suspension engineering.
Lucky for you, we do it all! Learn more about the process in the articles and videos listed below. Have your own question? Ask us today!
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 Coil Springs Are Made
Mike Eaton explains how coil springs are manufactured on this One Minute Monday.
How We Make Our Leaf Springs (6 Minute Video)
All About Our Spring Steel
Springs can’t be made from just any metal. They need to be made from a steel that has a high yield strength, helping it retain it’s original shape after significant pressure is applied. Surprise, surprise: a spring’s steel needs to be able to bounce back. So what type of steel would be perfect for building springs? […]
How Leaf Springs Are Made
We manufacture leaf springs all year long, and one thing everybody who comes to the shop wants to see is how it’s made. Well, not everyone can make it out to Michigan and Trumbull in Detroit, so we made this six minute video with Jeff Ford of Autorestomod to give you a special look into […]
Never Weld Springs (Do This Instead)
Why shouldn’t you heat up springs? For safety’s sake.
Spring Rate Vs Load Rate
Understanding spring terms will make your suspension build a thousand times easier.
Mono-Leaf Springs
Are mono-leaf springs dangerous? Only if you buy from the wrong people.
Rearching C1 Corvette Springs
I have Corvette leaf springs with grooves. Can we restore them or should I have new ones fabricated?
When Do I Install Coil Springs On A Hot Rod? What Do I Do Until Then?
Mike, I recently purchased a 1934 Ford 3 window coupe replica. To make a really long story short its an older kit that just never got put together, but in an excellent condition. My first order of business is to get a rolling chassis. The build book that was provided by the manufacturer calls out […]
Shock And Springs Fight Each Other In A ’64 Straight Axle Vette
Howdy, I have a 64 vette, with a Strange Ford 9”. Yes, it’s a 64 straight axle car. Former drag car. It’s set up like a 62 for the leaf springs. I have 4 leaf springs on there now, which are for a 62, which I purchased from a local vette resto shop. They have […]
Leaf Liners, Powder Coat & U-Bolt Torque
Mike, I wish I had read your tech page about two months ago. I just had my leaf springs powder coated and I’ve re-assembled the front springs with poly liners between the leafs. Am I correct in assuming that your advice for nothing to be between the springs also applies to these poly liners? If […]
Hudson Street Rod
Hello Mike , I am asking for help with a problem I am having on a 1930 Hudson Street Rod. I mounted a Ford Mustang rearend on the original springs, and the springs flatten out with the weight of the car, no arch. With the spring flat the rear shackle hits the fender and wont […]
Leaf Finish
Mike, Please can you inform what’s the best/correct finish for both the visible and invisible (IN THE STACK) parts of leaf springs? A couple of people I know insist on painting them totally including all in between the leafs, the normal for them bondaprimer / undercoat / enamel topcoat layers. (They do have to externally […]
Monoleaf Springs
Can mono-leaf springs be dangerous?
Leaf Liners’ Effect on Spring Rate
Hi Mike, I just read your comment about Delrin inserts and it raised three more related questions I don’t believe I have ever seen answered. The first is, does using a full length insert change the thickness of the spring pack? Secondly, what effect do full length inserts have on spring rate? Finally, in general […]
Grease Between Leaves
Q – Mike: I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk with you during the Silver Springs car show this past weekend. I have also looked at several of your articles on your web site and found them to be very interesting and informative. I also appreciate the T-shirt offer regarding the a discussion we had […]
How Much And When Do Coil Springs Settle? (Also, How To Choose The Right Mustang II Springs)
How much can one expect the springs to settle after installation?
Reducing Inter-Leaf Friction: Leaf Lubricant or Leaf Liners & Tip Inserts?
Mike, I am overhauling a set of springs from a ’64 F250 that are in great shape. I’m getting a list together of hardware to order from you folks. I have read all your tips about coating/painting springs and not using grease between the leafs. My question is that I have heard some people recommend […]
Greasing Leaf Springs
Mike, What effect does grease between the leaves of a pre-50 spring have please? Besides stopping them squeaking. Kind Regards, Mike Mike, If the springs are really pre-1950’s, the grease will help them slide against each other easier and help stop the squeaking. This means springs from the pre-1950’s, not a vehicle from pre-1950’s. Since […]
Which Mustang II Front End Springs Should I Use?
The front springs on my street rod are sagging after installing a big block. How should I go about finding the right replacement springs?
Springs & Air Bags
Mike, I have a 1968 Camaro Hardtop that I want to lower 2 Inches in the rear. I have headers and dual exhaust, which sometimes scrape on the driveway, so I want to install air bags to lift it as required. My question is, how does this affect the suspension and spring rate? Can I […]