| Wolfie | -- 08-16-2010 @ 8:47 PM |
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Today I lubed everything in sight, including the rear spring grease fitting. Fortunately I missed the front. Then, I read my owners manual and it said do not use chassis lubricant in the springs, but use M-4628 Ford spring lubricant. Will the chassis lube ooze out? Does anyone know what problem I have caused? Thanks!
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| ford38v8 | -- 08-16-2010 @ 10:59 PM |
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Wolfie, no problem, just a messy garage floor. The springs are grooved to allow the lube to move through all the leaves, but, wishful thinking. The lube fitting doesn't really work anyway, as any lube you use will not travel farther than the first easiest way out. If you've nothing better to do than to dismantle your sprins and clean them, you'll find some wear spots you might want to smooth out, then get some fifth wheel grease and slather it all round. That's the best you can do unless you go the route of thin teflon between the leaves. Personally, I'd rather go to town and get some beer. Alan
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| 37RAGTOPMAN | -- 08-17-2010 @ 5:40 AM |
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WHAT YEAR, is the car,??? some of them had spring covers to keep the grease in and water and dirt out, The original grease had graphite in it to aid the spring movement, and prevent chafing. any grease is better then NONE,for sure,,,, check out the antique auto flea markets, you might find some [ SPRING GREASE ] and get a grease gun and just use it for the springs. make sure the grease fitting are good one and not filled with dirt and will not let the grease though,I would install new ones to be sure they are good, or take out and check them out,mayne clean them, and sooner or later the grease will work it self in, 5TH WHEEL GREASE will also be better then regular chassis grease, HOPE THIS HELPS,,,37 RAGTOPMAN,keep on truckin,,!!!
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| kubes40 | -- 08-17-2010 @ 6:17 AM |
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Two major problems with chassis grease in my experience. 1) As was stated previously it does not flow out to the requisite areas and 2) it will harden through the years and form a 'dam' that will in effect stop any further attempted application from getting to where it needs to go. Cars I restore... I disassemble the springs (yes, even the NOS springs) and clean out all of the old & dried lubricant. Car's I service...I've had a mixture made for me that resembles STP oil treatment that does manage to work its way into the grooves of the separate leaves via the zerk fitting. Still, if your springs are old & crusted with dried lubricant, road grime, etc, lubing them will do little good. If you decide to take the time to disassemble the spring, do as was advised and remove any worn areas at the tapered ends. Clean and (if that's all you can get) apply a coat of marine lubricant or heavy truck grease.
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| alanwoodieman | -- 08-17-2010 @ 8:28 AM |
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auctually you are helping to loosen up the old grease with the chassis lube. When I need to grease a spring without taking it apart I run a blower heater on the spring to loosen up the crud, then use a air grease gun to force good lube in. Fifth wheel grease is a "high" tack grease which will stay in the springs and not wash out or be forced out by spring flex--good to use with the spring apart but hard to inject with them together-try warming up the fifth wheel grease before putting in.
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| supereal | -- 08-17-2010 @ 9:39 AM |
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The grease fitting on the tie bolt was another of those good ideas that didn't pan out, such as the anti chatter rods and the spring covers. The grease mostly caused a build up of crud, primarily road dirt which, in turn, promoted spring wear. This is seen as the formation of pockets when the ends of the spring leaves meet the next leaf below which interfere with the sliding action, and can cause breakage in extreme cases. There are products available to make the springs operate smoothly and stay clean. One such is a poly liner available at C&G (800/266-0470) in 20 foot rolls for about a buck a foot. It has raised ridges on the side to keep it in place. It is available in three widths, 1 3/4, 2", and 2 1/4. Some vendors also sell a Teflon liner, which tends to be more expensive. In most cases the spring clips will have to be modified, as the liner increases the width of the spring assembly.
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| Wolfie | -- 08-17-2010 @ 2:38 PM |
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My car is a 1940. Thanks for everyone's input on this topic. The springs aren't making any noise so I'm not going to take them apart and put in a liner right now. I have another grease gun and may dedicate it to using 5th wheel grease for the springs. Alan had the best idea...I'll just go get a beer.
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