stepdown rear spring question

dougson

I'm now seriously involved with the resto of my new '54 Hornet club coupe and I've discovered that the rear springs are different. One has eight leaves and is wrapped in a metal sheathing, the other has seven leaves and has rubber inserts in the leaves, no sheathing. I assume the 8-leaf version is correct? Or is it the heavy duty version? The easist solution would be to remove one its leaves and make it a seven leaf.

Jon B

I'm not acquainted with the StepDowns and I'm sure someone will jump in here shortly with an answer for you. But, you might want to consider buying a parts manual for your car (new or reprint). I did, when I first bought my '37, many years ago, and the manual is literally falling apart with all the use I've given it. It's invaluable, for checking (for example) whether the left and right springs are supposed to be identical (and if not, how many leaves, and which models they may be identical on). You may not find all of your answers there but when you do, you'll have done it much quicker than by waiting for an answer here.



The parts manuals may be offered by the Club Store but if not, you can ofter find them on Ebay or at the website of an antique car literature seller like Miller (www. autolit.com).

[Deleted User]

7 leaf is standard and the 8 is Heavy duty. With that mismatch that car must have waggled a bit in corners. I would get those springs matching. I got my new set for 54 from Randy Maas.

dougson

Jon B wrote:

I'm not acquainted with the StepDowns and I'm sure someone will jump in here shortly with an answer for you. But, you might want to consider buying a parts manual for your car (new or reprint). I did, when I first bought my '37, many years ago, and the manual is literally falling apart with all the use I've given it. It's invaluable, for checking (for example) whether the left and right springs are supposed to be identical (and if not, how many leaves, and which models they may be identical on). You may not find all of your answers there but when you do, you'll have done it much quicker than by waiting for an answer here.



The parts manuals may be offered by the Club Store but if not, you can ofter find them on Ebay or at the website of an antique car literature seller like Miller (www. autolit.com).

I absolutely agree, and have done just that. The appropriate manual merely states that "some cars got the covered leaf spring" and that it required lubrication.

Clutchguy

My experience is that sometime in late '51 or early '52 they started using only the open leaf type. I haven't seen any metal jacketed type on later models?,just my experience.

mars55

Well, the shop manuals say that there should 8 leafs including "Rebound Leave". The parts manual lists one spring for '48 -'54 with the spring covers available for it. I suspect Ken is right that late 52 thru 54 had different spring then the '48 - early '52. The 1948 - 1949 shop manual lists different spring rate then the parts manual or later shop manual.

464Saloon

Ken U-Tx wrote:

Hi Doug, all the late 52 thru 54 Stepdowns I have looked at with the Spicer/Dana 44 rear axles had the open leaf springs with rubber inserts. All of my 48-51 Stepdowns had the jacketed , greased springs. I bet the one 8 leaf jacketed spring was put on that '54 due to needing a quick replacement for a broken leaf on the original open 7 leaf. I have seen some of the open leaf springs with one or more broken leafs. Had one break on my old '52 Hornet Coupe, ended up having springs custom made by an outfit called weaver springs in Dallas. I was not happy with them at all, rode too high, had no inserts or jacket. ended up finally getting a decent set of used springs and sold them with the car to the late Barry Hydo. I think most of the Hornets with a broken leaf usually had it happen on the left side. Kenneth

I just rebuilt my springs on my 54. It had the jacketed type with the spicer rear end which I also changed the gears in. It is a Special though so there has been all kinds of weird things on it.