Front Leaf Spring Question

[steve1973]

I'm in the process of putting my leaf springs back on my halftrack. I had them marked which way they went, front to back, and now my marks are gone, stupid me. Now I don't know which end is front or back. Does it matter? The springs look symmetrical both ways. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Steve A.

[Outsider]

If they are symmetrical it shouldn't matter. I would double check the shackle pin hole to center bolt dimensions to make sure they are the same.

Steve

[steve1973]

Thanks Outsider. I plan on doing some measuring before I re install the springs. Another mystery I have is one of the shackle bolts is a round, slot head and not hex like the others. Does anyone know which position this goes to, inner upper, inner lower, outer upper or outer lower? I looked at a spare set of shackles I removed from a frame section and found the same slot, round head bolt in the bag. I looked at Don's halftrack and his are all hex heads. Does anyone else have these on their halftrack? If so I can use some help finding where it goes.



Thanks,

Steve A.

[Darth_Kitten]

I'm pretty sure most of mine were round.

[WayOffTrack]

The springs can be mounted either way there is no front or back. Had the same issue recently. Never seen the slotted head bolts before that is interesting.

[yd328]

Steve,
I have just two on mine. They are mounted in the top of the inner shackle on each side. The head of the screw is in the back side.


Gary

[steve1973]

Got my springs cleaned and painted today and found another problem. I had to replace one spring assembly and it looks like a later production than the ones on my track. The new replacement spring is 1/2" taller than my original. Now I will have to fine a match to one of them. The original one to my halftrack is 7-1/2" tall and the replacement is 8" tall. I did take measurements from spring center bolt to center of shackle pin and are the same on bolt sides so that is good news.

Steve A.

[Outsider]

if the new spring sits higher than the original and has the same number of leaves it is because your old one is wore. Springs tend to loose there arch as they get older.
Steve