ccpanel
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Post by ccpanel on Jun 16, 2014 20:56:18 GMT -8
my 64 forester has spring bushings that are gone.
where do i go to source them?
or new springs?
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Post by vikx on Jun 16, 2014 21:26:25 GMT -8
Try a frame and axle shop. They're usually pretty helpful.
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ccpanel
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Post by ccpanel on Jun 18, 2014 7:17:09 GMT -8
Try a frame and axle shop. They're usually pretty helpful. nothing like that nearby. i had an idea and went on etrailer.com and found springs with bolts for about 40/set.... i think i could go hot rod and use poly bushings too. i need to weigh my trailer as knowing wieght will help with lots of other issues. I have a serious wag issue. i think tongue is too short as the...another topic. |
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Jun 18, 2014 19:41:50 GMT -8
We have a 1962 Forester and had to replace the springs. I tried etrailer and Trailer Supply and came up blank. Eventually I found a trailer repair place with an old mechanic who searched for a week and eventually found them at a classic auto parts place in Arkansas. The springs were just an odd size. If I can find the name of the parts place I'll post it but it's been over a year now. I'd call a couple of camper repair places and ask for their supplier name. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.  |
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Jun 18, 2014 21:03:54 GMT -8
Every large metro area in this country has "a spring shop", that has been in business for fifty years. Lots of vehicles use leaf springs to this day, but most are now commercial in size. The spring shop that I use does semi trucks, semi trailer's, and large dump trucks. But they always have the knowledge and parts to help me out when necessary. They buy the spring material in flat bulk length sizes, cut the leaves, arch the leaves, and roll the eyes on the ends. They "stock everything" you could ask for, to rebuild, or custom build your suspension. They even custom bend the "U bolts" to your size spec. And the best part, they are next day delivery, because every vehicle customer they have is considered an emergency. And they are very price competitive.
Ask any 4X4 guys where they get their custom springs done, you will find the local spring shop in an old commercial run down part of town. It's a noisy, dirty operation.
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John Palmer
Senior Member
Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 574
Currently Offline
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Post by John Palmer on Jun 18, 2014 21:20:03 GMT -8
I was working on a 1953 Hanson trailer. The springs had sagged, and the trailer ride height was "too low" to the ground. I took the springs to my spring shop, and before I could get them out of the truck, he said "WILLY's Springs". I said no, they are off of an old camp trailer. He said NOPE, they are WILLY's Springs! He went on to inform me that the reason that trailer springs of today's sizes, do not fit yesterdays trailers in many cases is because after WWII, trailer manufacturers were buying up war surplus springs for pennies that were originally spec'd as replacement springs for Willy's Jeep's. The eye to eye length, and spring width are not common sizes today.[/p]
He went on to say that they were dirt cheap after WWII, but they are expensive today. He suggested that getting the original springs re-arched was a better choice than cutting off the frame mounts and installing new ones because the 1940's spring material was on a higher carbon content than what you get from off shore today.
For anyone that has their trailer torn down to a bare frame, it would be a good time to flip the frame over and weld on some new spring and shackle mounts that will allow you to use commonly available spring sizes in the future.
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ccpanel
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Post by ccpanel on Jun 19, 2014 7:26:17 GMT -8
Thanks
I think my springs are in pretty good shape-arch seems to match side/side, they arent saggy, but I discovered bushings toasty toast-GONE....
So I think rather than get new srpings-I will get new bushings and go from there.
either race car poly bushings or etrailer has good nylon ones.
maybe i will do a brass insert inside nylon.
thanks
also-no springs shops anywhere local.
nearest probably 100 miles or maybe 200...
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