leaf spring re-arching

[Karl #35089]

Can anyone explain the process of spring re-arching? What sort of tooling and/or fixturing is used? Thank you, Karl

[Bob Simard]

Re: leaf spring re-arching

I haven't seen this done, but I suspect that the spring is held on an anvil and lovingly caressed with a BFH tool until the proper arch is obtained.

[Gary S.]

Re: leaf spring re-arching

There is a spring/driveshaft shop in the Pittsburgh area that re-arches leaf spring, especially for classic and antique cars, according to the guy behind the counter. He uses a very large 100 ton press to re-arch them. I don't know how he determines the correct arch but he claims to have a lot of satisfied customers. I know of a couple of folks that successfully re-arched tired springs.
Gary

[Dave Suesz]

I asked Dale about this...

And he has done a pile of them, even had some sets on hand matched by dates. He told me the critical step is they have to be heat-treated. I don't know offhand of anyone else who is doing this right now, but this critical item would be a good way to weed out the professionals from the also-rans.

[Duke W.]

Re: I asked Dale about this...

I believe to have any hope of a good outcome, the spring must first
be annealed, rearched, and then reheat treated. If you try to rearch
a heat treated piece of spring steel without first annealing it, it will probably break.

Duke

[Gary S.]

Re: I asked Dale about this...

There is an article long ago in the Restorer about a member who had his re-arched. The author is Tim Gilmartin of the Rocky Mountain chapter. I know him and remember reading the article although I don't remember the content.
Gary

[Bernard S.]

Re: leaf spring re-arching

Karl:
I had a leaf spring re-arched for my 71. The car rear was 1.5 inches too high. I took the spring to a blacksmith and told him my problem. I believe he used a combination of heat teatment and large presses to re-arch the spring.

[Chas Kingston]

Re: I asked Dale about this...

Well, you will probably have to wait a while for Dale to do much re-arching.

Geezer

[Richard E.]

Re: I asked Dale about this...

I'm with Duke - Eaton Detroit Springs (maker of our original, and current replacement springs) told me they can anneal/re-arch/heat treat out old leaf springs. I think their web site is "Eatondetroit.com" or something close. They also have an accomodating tech staff. Give 'em a call. Cheers......