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The rear springs on my '52 Mayfair have become soggy and I bottom out when carrying passengers over bumpy roads. Anyone have any good ideas on a fix?

Quote:
Denny,

Can't resist, but try drying them out!

Sorry, but if they were saggy that's be a whole different matter. I believe you can have leaf springs re-arched which is the way to fix it

Funny...yes sAggy. It's been a long day. Where can one get springs re-arched? I've never heard of it being done.

Rearching leaf springs was once a very common practice but I'd guess nowadays it's pretty much just in the realm of heavy duty trucks. Look for an outfit that services truck springs, you should fine one with ease. But it's a pretty primitive kind of process; new springs are sort of a one kind fits all variety but might be a better option.

I guess it is unusual. But, I can still do the job. It is a very simple job. The spring is simply run through a device with three rollers, the central one pressing downward. This creates a smaller diameter curvature. It may take several passes but eventually the correct curve is achieved.

If the steel has metal fatigue, won't it go back in short order?

They probably will sag again sooner than new springs. But, t is a process that will get a car back on the road for a time.

I've seen rearched springs that after 20 years or more still held body height. Results no doubt depends to a very great extent on the skill level and techniques used. For example, do you just rearch the main leaf, or all leaves; with rollers or beat them over an anvil with a sledge? Many Packards used different spring capacities and rates for different body weights, and sometimes used different interleaf friction methods to obtain the best ride properties. Packard obtained a patent on the use of metallic buttons as the friction sliders between leaves and used this for a number of years, I recall them on my 48 Custom 8. Each button on a different leaf had a different alloy to provide a different coefficient of friction. When you buy a new spring, you don't get this kind of tuned spring to your particular chassis and body, you get the one-kind-fits-all spring but still this represents a good option to repair sagging springs.

Anyone interested in the patent can send me a PM.

Acme Spring in Dayton did a nice job on my 1940 springs.

There should be a spring shop in your area that can help you. Nowadays they mostly do big trucks but they can fix your car too. Look in the yellow pages or ask your favorite garage who they use.

The spring shop can take your springs off the car, rearch the leaves to restore the original curve, and usually they slip in an extra leaf to restore lost strength. Springs rearched in this way will last indefinitely. They will also put new bushings in the spring eyes.

Your car will sit higher in the back than it has for years, it might even seem too high until the springs flatten out and take a set.

Cost usually around $200 bucks.

For another $100 or so they can make you a new set of
springs.

They can also replace the front springs. Then your car will sit up like it did when new.

Have a set of new shocks put on at the same time for a real driving thrill.