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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: overthepond on April 04, 2010, 07:55:10 am

Title: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: overthepond on April 04, 2010, 07:55:10 am: Well i found something i wish i never did today when cleaning up the rear leafs,cracked leafs on each side which for me is a big decider on whether to carry on with the project.
Being in the UK plays a big part in this as its gonna cost an absolute fortune to find a pair for a reasonable price.
I wish there was another option...cheap coilover setup etc..?

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e42/sevretta/1980%20Chevy%20C10/Jenny027.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e42/sevretta/1980%20Chevy%20C10/Jenny028.jpg)
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: zieg85 on April 04, 2010, 08:54:26 am: I would check into a spring shop. Have yours rebuilt, My $.02
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: Irish_Alley on April 04, 2010, 09:03:24 am: That sucks. But I'm sure you can find something. Shippping would prob kill ya from the states
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: overthepond on April 04, 2010, 09:12:26 am: Thanks guy's..

The pricing over here for shop work would be massive,thats if i can find anywhere that deals with leaf springs,not a common sight over here,and yes the shipping would buy a replacement truck.. :-\
Gonna rest on it and see what options i have.
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: VileZambonie on April 04, 2010, 09:20:48 am: There's got to be a spring shop somewhere out there! Find a shop that does heavy truck brake and spring work and they'll probably be able to hook you up.
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: Chevalade on April 04, 2010, 04:46:15 pm: Go to your wrecker, or towing company, see if you can find a leaf sprung van, buy the springs, put 3 leafs out of the van springs in to replace 2 of yours.
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: overthepond on April 05, 2010, 06:03:52 am: Quote from: Chevalade on April 04, 2010, 04:46:15 pm
Go to your wrecker, or towing company, see if you can find a leaf sprung van, buy the springs, put 3 leafs out of the van springs in to replace 2 of yours.
Sounds like a plan.. ;)
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: Flamingbig10 on April 10, 2010, 10:30:48 am: I'd say if thats the only crack on the leafs remove the bottom two leave the over load and add air shocks to bring back the load capacity
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: overthepond on April 11, 2010, 02:05:56 pm: Quote from: Flamingbig10 on April 10, 2010, 10:30:48 am
I'd say if thats the only crack on the leafs remove the bottom two leave the over load and add air shocks to bring back the load capacity

You read my mind big10..did exactly that and new shocks on order... ;D
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: hotrodpc on April 11, 2010, 09:38:50 pm: I wished I had the seen the thread earlier. I just scrapped a set of rear 1/2 ton springs. Not sure what shipping costs, but for a reasonable compenstation for packing and shipping, I'd have sent them to you. I hate throwing good parts away, and would sure rather give them to someone who can put them to use instead. Maybe FREE springs would have offset the shipping cost. Also is it possible if you have just one spring, you could disassemble them and repair both of yours? Keep the thread updated as to how your fix works out. I may end up with another set soon too. If so, then maybe with measurements, maybe I can ship just the leafs you need and it be feasible.
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: overthepond on April 12, 2010, 03:15:11 pm: What can i say... ;D
Many thanks for your kind offer,i would have snapped those up in a second even though the shipping would have set me back a month.
I managed to remove 2 leafs from each side and relocated the clamps that were fixed to the broken leafs...with this completed i found my next hurdle which is a severely cracked brake drum,lord knows how this came about but im glad i found it..?...i love the way this truck is creating work for me.

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e42/sevretta/1980%20Chevy%20C10/DSCN2833.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e42/sevretta/1980%20Chevy%20C10/DSCN2834.jpg)
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: hotrodpc on April 12, 2010, 03:23:51 pm: How does or what causes something like to happen? Been dealing with auto for a long time, and never ever seen such a thing. You're right !!! Very good find. Better now than at 75km down the highway.
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: eventhorizon66 on April 12, 2010, 04:06:15 pm: Quote from: hotrodpc on April 12, 2010, 03:23:51 pm
How does or what causes something like to happen?

stress :P
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: overthepond on April 12, 2010, 06:24:11 pm: My thinking is its either been dragged with stuck brake linings or its had a hammer taken to it,either way its scrap.. ;)
Just out of curiosity though,are these 11x2" drums fitted to any other GM vehicle as i just happened upon a breakers yard who only deals with american made... ;D
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: eventhorizon66 on April 15, 2010, 10:46:13 am: A GMC pickup :P

The only other application I know of with 5-on-5 bolt pattern is the 1977-1996 Caprice/Impala, and they could be had with 11" drums. But I have no idea if these drums will fit.
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: overthepond on April 15, 2010, 11:02:43 am: Quote from: eventhorizon66 on April 15, 2010, 10:46:13 am
A GMC pickup :P

The only other application I know of with 5-on-5 bolt pattern is the 1977-1996 Caprice/Impala, and they could be had with 11" drums. But I have no idea if these drums will fit.
Caprice's a plenty over here so i'll take a look...and of course the GMC pickups but they are never found in yards over here... ;)
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: 80stepsideguy on April 15, 2010, 12:52:40 pm: iI beleive the 77-90 were drums and 91-6 were discs in the rear...

thanks
pat
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: overthepond on April 15, 2010, 01:16:10 pm: Thanks Pat.. ;)
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: VileZambonie on April 15, 2010, 02:48:49 pm: The truck brake drums are physically larger by about 35mm. I've never tried to fit them so I can't say whether they'd work or not.

Just curious, what's the popular truck of choice over there?
Title: Re: Snapped leafs (could end project)
Post by: overthepond on April 15, 2010, 04:54:03 pm: Thanks for that Vile,

Most popular over here from what i see daily is the Toyota Hi-lux and Nissan Navara.
Not my cup of tea so i have to search the classic pages and buy a rough old truck then spend a year making it nice... ;D