Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

This is the rear springs of my 2150.
They are corroded but for a 70 years old car they are ok and the springing is also ok.
How should they be restored?
My thoughts are to first get them sandblasted? But how do I proceed after that?
Shall they be painted individually and then assembled or shall they be assembled and only the visible areas painted leaving the bare metal where the blades are together?
Brgds
Thomas L.

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One option is to remove the loose rust with a wire brush, then coat them individually with POR15. This is a very hard coating that holds up very well.... even against rubbing together. It grinds harder than steel! Then assemble the springs. Finally, paint your assembled springs the color of your choice. A top coat is suggested as the POR15 fades when exposed to sunlight.

Follow the POR15 directions.... for top coating. If I remember right you have to top coat soon after applying the POR15 or wait a period of time before the top coat.

Good luck!

I would be careful coating the individual leaves with anything near the friction surfaces -- particularly any form of lubricant. Also, when you reassemble them pay attention to the inserts. Packard used various combinations of metals and rubber as friction modifiers to control the action and noise. The types are in the parts books. Anything that disrupts those combinations will most likely affect the ride and can cause the springs to squeak. Check out the steering and suspension section of the service index for bulletins regarding this issue. There were several articles starting in 1940 and are applicable thru the 22nd series. Here is one of them from about in the middle.

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Thanks for answer.
I did not know about the inserts as they were all missing on my car. That explains the bulbs in both ends of each blade.

Seems that my 2126 should have pn:358492 SILENITE.
Does anybody know where I can get them or a good substitute?

Brgds.
Thomas L.

Try Googling 'Detroit Spring'[...Someone on the site commented that they will still make Packard Springs to the original specifications...Good Luck. Ernie

There is a guy in southern Indiana who molds Teflon spring pads... he sells them on ebay. His requires a hole in the spring to keep it located.

I doubt if you will find the original inserts. If you google "leaf spring liner" you will find several firms who will sell you a plastic liner in various widths to go in between the leaves. It is not expensive, and works well. The only drawback is that you can see it in between the leaves if the aesthetics are important, but I doubt if anyone is going to roll under your car to look and then complain. Paint the springs after assembly.

Thanks for all the answers.

I checked the EATON page and found lots of information there. Seems like there?s more to leaf springs than I could ever imagine.

I am going to contact them for parts and advice.

Thank You all.

Brgds.
Thomas L.

Here's some information on Leaf Springs.
Wes

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