Posted by JimmieD on Tuesday, November 09, 2004 at 3:08PM :
In Reply to: Re: Rearching Leaf Springs posted by Doc Dave on Tuesday, November 09, 2004 at 2:15PM :
Hi Shawn,
You can check out these guys, as they have a good reputation for quality springs and can make just about anything.
http://www.espo.com/
Nowadays most shops that re-arch use a cold process and an 'Iron Worker' machine. They actually make progessive 'square' bends, fairly light indention, around the arch of the spring to restore its original shape.
Obviously it is physically impossible to duplicate the original configuration of an arch by pounding in angles around the circumference. Instead it weakens the design as an arch and turns it into another geometric shape, as more similar to a polyhedron, with stop sign sorta corners pounded in!
Chrysler Corporation originally used a hot- bend process on their springs, heating them to 1,500 degrees in an oven, then arching them, them re-heating to 800 degrees to set the arch and temper the steel. That second 800 degree heat process was the secret to strong springs that wouldn't break your back or squishy parts. No quench was used after second heat so that they would air-cool to normal.
If you want re-arched springs find a good old blacksmith shop that has, or will throw together, an oven capable of fitting your springs, and then get them to hot-bend them @ 1,500, and re-heat to 800, while maintaning the original configuration of an arch instead of pounding them into a polyhedron. Precious little chance of finding one that can do it today, but you never know....
I'd add leaves or buy new springs after all the negative feedback I've gotten on re-arched stuff. Only rig I ever rode in that held its arch for years was a light little Jeep, and it was hands down the roughest riding piece of junk I ever rode in, more like it had no springs at all! The owner eventually rolled it 'cause the suspension wouldn't flex at the right time in the right places.....
JimmieD
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