Forward leaf spring mounts

[jdowns67]

Thought the group would find this interesting. Just finished rebuilding the front axle of my 71 with new coils and all new bushings. Moved to the back to replace the leafs and all the bushings there. Look at these pictures of the forward leaf spring mounts where the metal bushing insert has been wearing into the mounts for the last 55 years. Plan right now is to weld up the wear and re-drill.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Loose bolts.

At one time leaving the bolts loose was a trick to get more articulation. Long term wear was not considered.

 

[jdowns67]

Picture of one of them after welding up and grinding back. I made some thick washers that I welded on the back side before weldingnup the holes to reinforce and act as drill bushing.

 

[DirtDonk]

Hey, thanks for mentioning this thread in your other thread. Somehow I missed it!
My 71 had the same problem. Only instead of the current age, it was only about 10 years old when I discovered the exact same thing had happened to mine. Those serrated ends on the sleeves really do a number on the metal!

Sorry, I didn’t catch this before you welded it up. Or I would have suggested, doing just what you did, only moving the holes down a half a diameter, or quarter inch, or whatever.
This is only to gain a little extra clearance for aftermarket springs with the double wrap eye.
Either way, though, good job. Both catching it, and fixing it.