Front leaf spring

AA Ford Discussion Group relating to the repair and restoration of your AA Ford.
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Cschaff63
Posts: 98
Joined: September 14th, 2017, 5:57 pm
Body Type: Dump
Model Year: 1928
Location: Pa

Front leaf spring

Post by Cschaff63 »

I ordered a front leaf spring from Mac's, the tech told me that the A and AA were the same part#. Well, when it arrived, it is 1/2" skinnier in the width, as are the shackles. My truck measures 2 1/4" wide, the new spring set is 1 3/4". Can someone clue me into what I'm dealing with here. Bob C has informed me I have an early 1930 truck and not the 28 I thought it was! I called the Mac tech again and he insists the springs are the same! Help!
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Neil Wilson
Posts: 3062
Joined: February 5th, 2003, 9:42 pm
Body Type: 82-A/89-A
Model Year: 1930
Location: Boulder, CO
Contact:

Re: Front leaf spring

Post by Neil Wilson »

The 1928/1929 AA chassis used a front spring which was the same width as the A chassis (but not the same spring). Starting January 1930, the AA used a front spring which was the same width as the A chassis rear spring.

I suggest you know what you need before taking to a vendor tech. Same goes for buying of Ebay or other. Sellers don't know the facts many times.
Regards, Neil Wilson
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aafords.com@gmail.com - use this email for contact
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Bob C
Posts: 1442
Joined: April 24th, 2003, 11:50 am
Body Type: Mail truck, Stake tr
Model Year: 1931
Location: SO CAL

Re: Front leaf spring

Post by Bob C »

Mac's doesn't have a clue. "A" Springs has the one you need. http://www.a-springs.com/4b.html

Bob
Cschaff63
Posts: 98
Joined: September 14th, 2017, 5:57 pm
Body Type: Dump
Model Year: 1928
Location: Pa

Re: Front leaf spring

Post by Cschaff63 »

Bob C wrote:
January 17th, 2019, 6:48 pm
Mac's doesn't have a clue. "A" Springs has the one you need. http://www.a-springs.com/4b.html

Bob
I went to this site, they say it is 14 leaf, but mine is 10 leaf. You guys are great library of information on these trucks, thank you for your help!
Cliff
Cschaff63
Posts: 98
Joined: September 14th, 2017, 5:57 pm
Body Type: Dump
Model Year: 1928
Location: Pa

Re: Front leaf spring

Post by Cschaff63 »

Neil Wilson wrote:
January 17th, 2019, 6:11 pm
The 1928/1929 AA chassis used a front spring which was the same width as the A chassis (but not the same spring). Starting January 1930, the AA used a front spring which was the same width as the A chassis rear spring.

I suggest you know what you need before taking to a vendor tech. Same goes for buying of Ebay or other. Sellers don't know the facts many times.
Neil, up until I got to the chassis parts, I thought I had a 28, everything I have ordered from Mac was spot on, but since learning this is an early 30, it changes the game on everything under the body! But you guys are an awesome source for the knowledge on these trucks. I love these old trucks and feel proud to have brought back a piece of American history. I'm addicted,
Cliff
Bob C
Posts: 1442
Joined: April 24th, 2003, 11:50 am
Body Type: Mail truck, Stake tr
Model Year: 1931
Location: SO CAL

Re: Front leaf spring

Post by Bob C »

I just looked in the parts book and the 14 leaf spring is for the long wheel base chassis, 13 leaf is for the short.
Cschaff63
Posts: 98
Joined: September 14th, 2017, 5:57 pm
Body Type: Dump
Model Year: 1928
Location: Pa

Re: Front leaf spring

Post by Cschaff63 »

I'm trying to figure out why my truck only has 10 leafs, the first 3 on the bottom are much thicker than the top 7, if I put a 13 leaf on it, it will Jack up the front end! I think I will just take mine to the local spring shop and have them replace the broken leaf and refresh the set with new bushings.
Bob C
Posts: 1442
Joined: April 24th, 2003, 11:50 am
Body Type: Mail truck, Stake tr
Model Year: 1931
Location: SO CAL

Re: Front leaf spring

Post by Bob C »

I measured some springs, the 13 leaf was 2 5/8" and the 14 was 2 15/16".

Bob
Cschaff63
Posts: 98
Joined: September 14th, 2017, 5:57 pm
Body Type: Dump
Model Year: 1928
Location: Pa

Re: Front leaf spring

Post by Cschaff63 »

Bob C wrote:
January 21st, 2019, 11:03 am
I measured some springs, the 13 leaf was 2 5/8" and the 14 was 2 15/16".

Bob
Mine measure 2 1/4", Are you talking about the height of the stack or the width of the leaf?
Bob C
Posts: 1442
Joined: April 24th, 2003, 11:50 am
Body Type: Mail truck, Stake tr
Model Year: 1931
Location: SO CAL

Re: Front leaf spring

Post by Bob C »

The height, sorry.

Bob
Cschaff63
Posts: 98
Joined: September 14th, 2017, 5:57 pm
Body Type: Dump
Model Year: 1928
Location: Pa

Re: Front leaf spring

Post by Cschaff63 »

I just had my front leaf spring repaired by a local truck spring shop, I had to order rear shackles kit for a Model A car to replace my worn out shackles
David R.
Posts: 260
Joined: August 17th, 2019, 1:52 pm
Body Type: Chassis
Model Year: 1930
Location: WV

Re: Front leaf spring

Post by David R. »

I would think having a professional spring shop rebuild existing would be a good option. I used to be a fleet mechanic for a bakery. I had fourteen one ton Chevys and GMCs (1960-73 models). The previous mechanic didn’t believe in shock absorbers. Took me a while to get my fleet re- sprung. I had a bunch of spring work to do. Almost all of them had a broken leaf or two. Local spring shop would make replacement leaves, new u-bolts, re-arch and re-temper the rest.
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