Leaf Springs - How To Tidy Up?

[grey_ghost]

Hi,
I'm restoring a 61 Series 2 - LWB Ute.
The springs are in pretty good condition for their age - but what should I do to give them a tidy up?
Wire brush any surface rust?
Paint them? (If so - what type of paint?)
Oil them? (If so - what type of oil?)
Suggestions?
As always - thanks to everyone for their help!
Regards,
Grey Ghost

[gromit]

There are a few threads on the forum about this subject and a discussion somewhere about oiling or not.....

Derusting the outside is more for appearance (wire brush in an angle grinder). If you can get the spring pack apart de-rusting between the leaves may soften the ride. Problem here is you might need an oxy set to heat up the clamps that hold the pack together and bend them out of the way.

Oiling or greasing between the leaves softens the ride but....dirt can stick to it and could then wear away the leaves over time. If the spring pack is apart you could try graphite powder which will not attract dirt.
If the spring pack is not taken apart maybe a thin oil between the leaves and then try to wipe away all traces of oil on the outside so dirt doesn't stick.


Colin

[Bigbjorn]

One used to be able to buy a flexible paint from Dulux/Duco made specifically for this purtpose.

I would pull them apart and clean each leaf to a bright surface using a Scotchbrite medium belt on a linisher, degrease, paint each leaf, then reassemble using a Molybond lacquer between leaves applied so that it is not visible when the spring is assembled.

[isuzurover]

Pulling them apart and replacing the centre bolt is a good idea - it will likely be weak by now).

I use a sanding disc or wire brush attachment on an angle grinder to clean. Then reassemble, paint, and when the paint is cured, grease between the leaves with "spray grease" or motorcycle chain lube. It helps to cross axle the vehicle using ramps at alternate corners to do this.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

You can also get a polycarbonate tape that you stick to one side of the leaf this takes the friction out of the metal to metal and gives a smother ride.

If you want a good looking spring pack, then as others have said, you need to take the spring pack apart and linnish off the surface. A wire wheel on a 4" angle grinder works well. Then treat the springs with a rust preventative like a phosphate or red lead primer and finish with a flexible paint as suggested by Brian. The tape goes on before re-assembly.

I would also replace the centre bolts and nuts.

Diana

[gromit]

The attached link is interesting (excuse the fact that its demonstrating overhaul of Jeep springs.....)

Leaf Spring Overhaul | BS Fabrication (http://www.bsfab.net/?p=65)

Here they use a Teflon (PTFE) strip between the leaves although it would make the finished springpack thicker.
Rather than use spray graphite you can buy 'bottles' of it and apply manually.


Colin

[grey_ghost]

Thanks to everybody for their answers.
I decided before I did the strip down - that I would purchase the flexible paint.
I rang Dlux "Sorry we sold our automotive division to PPG years ago"
I rang PPG "We have a product, that needs to be baked on"
Any suggestions? I don't want to paint with the same paint I am doing the chassis - only for the paint to crack in the future, due to the flexing of the springs.
Does anybody have a suggestion on how I can purchase some flexible paint?
Thanks agin,
Grey Ghost.

[chazza]

I used switch plate spray on my back ones, which looks like grey primer and Loctite anti-seize on the front ones. My spring company used molybond grease on the ones they made for my series 1,

Cheers Charlie

[Johnno1969]

I'm trying Lanox on mine. Haven't got them back on the car yet, so don't know how're they're going to go...

[will d8r]

I use Resq-steel as a anti-sieze on my springs and most bolts.It is a marine underwater product.Alot of Caterpillar fitters use it,very good on under carriage components etc Chers

[ezyrama]

try calling King Springs @ Molendinar ( Ashmore) on the Gold Coast. They are good guys and would probably have something they use.

[jimmy86]

If the leaf ends have worn small 'ledges' in their neighbouring leaves it might be worth putting a bit of a radius on the ends of each leaf with the grinder. This will help them move smoothly against each other.

I've just cleaned up my front spring packs and gave them a spray with white litium grease before reassembly, just to add another to the list of ideas :) Good luck mate