leaf springs

[JSabah]

My leaf springs are mechanically in good shape (other than bushings).  Just wondering what others do to "spruce" things up a bit... are the covers supposed to be metal color or painted black? is it possible to take them off _ or rather how do you ( so thay can be straightened and regreased?  Just looking for general ideas on making them look good.

Edited June 30, 2019 by JSabah
Typos

[sser2]

Rubber bushings and silent blocks for these springs are readily available. There is a spring lubricator attachment to grease gun to lubricate springs if the sheathing is still intact. If spring is intact (no broken leaves), don't remove the sheathing. It keeps dust out and grease in.

[JSabah]

As you can see in the picture, the sheathing is torn a bit .... any creative ways to fix? I tried straightening but it just rips. 

 

Also, was the sheathing originally black or silver?

 

and what is it made of (tin, alum, lead, sheet metal)?

 

 

[DJ194950]

mine was galvanized look-thin metal. IE silver.

[JSabah]

Got a little ambitious today with the leaf spring sheath. I was able to unhook the side that has the hook/seam and cut the “hinge” side to remove the bad section. Then I made a replacement piece and connected the latch side and soldered the hinge side. Cleaned it up and gave it a quick spray first with black paint then I used the same silver “space” aluminum color that I had for the engine. 

[JSabah]

almost finished

[Dodgeb4ya]

Nice work!!!!

Those are really tough to repair and make them look factory nice...you did!

[JSabah]

Thanks.....as the springs were drying I masked the frame (which I had painted a few days ago with SEM chassis paint which is similar to the por15 product) and shot the underside with 3M undercoat (not the rattle can but the Shutz gun type). It took 6 bottles but it’s finally done. Now I can get the rear end back on, fuel tank and fuel and brake lines in the coming weeks.