Front Spring Installation

[59bisquik]

I am putting the front springs in my 55 C1B. When I install the front pivots, they screw through the perch, through the bushing and then through the other side of the perch. There is probably 1/4" of gap on either side of the spring. What am I missing here? There are no pics in the manual and nothing on the old springs besides 60 years of built up grease. The springs are the same width as the old ones. Any ideas?

[NiftyFifty]

I'm trying to picture, but the front is a solid mount and the rear has the shackle..but I'm not sure if 55 is different then 48-53..but measure the mount width and the spring width..those cant change, unless they used spacers/washers in that year?

[MBF]

I had the same issue with mine.  I put a large but thin flat washer on each side of the spring eye on the front of both springs to keep the front of the springs centered in the mount.  I don't know why the mounts are so much wider than the springs.  Nothing appears bent, and the steel is too heavy to be drawn together by the threaded mounting pin.    Mine has been like that for 20+ years w/o a problem.

[NiftyFifty]

My front pins were destroyed when they came out, so I just used a 5/8" or bigger (can't recall the size) grade 8 bolt, and maybe that's why I didn't have as much gap..it did pull it a bit tighter, as I know. Don't have any shims in there. The rear shackles are all new, and they do the majority of all the work anyway.

[59bisquik]

The front pins are not just bolts on mine. They are special threaded bolts with a grease hole. The bolt threads into the front spring bushing. It's not a smooth brass style bushing. I figured I would try to measure it out and center it. I was wondering if they were supposed to push to one side or another and if there was a rubber boot or similar to keep the grease clean.

[NiftyFifty]

Mine wernt either, but 8 years and lots of miles later, my bolts are fine and holding things together nicely. If it was a daily driver getting 20- 30,000 miles a year I would worry about wear...but for the 5000 I might get on, it's just fine. I know lots of trailers that carry much heavier loads that just use bolts, so I was never concerned.

If I recall, the spring bushing isn't actually threaded, that's just the pattern left by the original pins.

[Jeff Balazs]

The front pins are not just bolts on mine. They are special threaded bolts with a grease hole. The bolt threads into the front spring bushing. It's not a smooth brass style bushing. I figured I would try to measure it out and center it. I was wondering if they were supposed to push to one side or another and if there was a rubber boot or similar to keep the grease clean.

Correct. These are special grease type fittings. Roberts or VPW may have them. My originals are centered but do not have boots. They should be greased often. Contrary to some thinking they need to provide anchorage with a good range of movement. They are just as important as the rear mounts. I guess it isn't any wonder why some complain about ride quality and resort to removing leaves. Get this right and you might just have a truck that rides nice.

Jeff

[59bisquik]

Thanks, that answered my question! I will make sure they are centered up and greased!

[NiftyFifty]

Correct. These are special grease type fittings. Roberts or VPW may have them. My originals are centered but do not have boots. They should be greased often. Contrary to some thinking they need to provide anchorage with a good range of movement. They are just as important as the rear mounts. I guess it isn't any wonder why some complain about ride quality and resort to removing leaves. Get this right and you might just have a truck that rides nice.

Jeff

the front mounts only allow swing motion on the spring, the rear shackle allows for swing/pivoting and ease on compression of the entire spring set..that front pin is made just to be greased, but with proper maintenance a non greased will work just fine. If you think that would have any effect on ride quality, I would really beg to differ...some people remove leaves to relieve the harshness...having a pin wouldn't do anything to solve that.

[Jeff Balazs]

What harsh ride?

[Merle Coggins]

I agree. I'm surprised how nice my truck rides, especially being a 3/4 ton. I had one spring shackle stuck when I got the truck. All took grease well except for that one. (left rear). I finally got it to take grease and got it moving. It was stiff at first but after a couple of drives it freed up nice. I didn't do anything to the springs. I keep them all well greased and it rides quite nice for a 65 year old 3/4 ton truck. Not quite as smooth as my 3 year old F150, but pretty good.

 

Merle

[Jeff Balazs]

I agree. I'm surprised how nice my truck rides, especially being a 3/4 ton. I had one spring shackle stuck when I got the truck. All took grease well except for that one. (left rear). I finally got it to take grease and got it moving. It was stiff at first but after a couple of drives it freed up nice. I didn't do anything to the springs. I keep them all well greased and it rides quite nice for a 65 year old 3/4 ton truck. Not quite as smooth as my 3 year old F150, but pretty good.

 

Merle

See there you go. Get um greased up and moving as they should and they are pretty darn sweet. Mine just keeps getting better all the time. Besides making sure that all the fittings are well greased I have been using PB Blaster Corrosion stop on the leaves. Can't say enough good about that product. This stuff really works great on these springs.

 

Jeff