can you weld lead springs?

[badpat]

i need to make some leafs 6 in shorter in length, can i cut 3 in off each end and re weld on mounting eyelets, or will this screw up the spring properties?
thanks-pat

[zman]

I'm just thinking the heat may mess with the spring. Just me but isn't there someplace local that does springs. We have a heavy equipment place called Fleet Pride here that will shorten them for ya.

[Deyomatic]

If it were me, I'd find a place that makes/modifieds springs and let them do it for $50 or whatever. I'd be afraid of the weld breaking under the stress.

[aussiesteve]

NO,you can,t weld springs.
Your local springshop can shorten and reroll the spring eyes.
You weld on the spring,it will take the temper out of it and it will break!
AussieSteve

[Unkl Ian]

Unless you are going to weld it using the correct alloy filler rod,
AND have the ability to correctly reheat treat,and temper the spings,
they will break.

[flatlandman]

There is a place on Powell by Victoria that does front ends/custom springs. The name has slipped my mind...

[Morrisman]

I tried to shorten one by cutting/welding it in the middle. After I finished I tried stepping on it to test it. Never even took my bodyweight before it cracked right there on the weld.

[moondisc]

When I was about 19 I welded the main leaf in my 48 Plymouth.
It held up.
Until I let the jack down! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[FEDER]

Badpat maybe you could cut em -lap em - drill some holes and bolt em back together. Use grade 8 bolts like three 3/8" at each end.Hokey but cheap. Dont weld em. The best way is getting them reeyed.--Feder

[Nimrod]

Don't know if I want to admit to this...but I narrowed the '32 main leaf on my roadster two inches by cutting and welding. I couldn't find a spring shop that would re-roll eyes, and the 32 has a compound curve so I didn't know if any shops would do that at a reasonable rate.
I cut two inches out, champfered it, heated the ends up with a rusebud while the spring ends were in water, welded it up, ground it down, and redrilled the center hole. I did a couple of tests using old springs and could not brake them no matter how I tried, allthough the spring looses its spring in the weld area.
I wouldn't do this anywere but the clamped down, unused protion of the spring.

[wideglide74]

Theres a good spring shop right across the side street from Ace tattoo in Langley...

[38Chevy454]

Like others have said, you can't weld a spring. A spring is heat treated. Welding will at the least cause the spring to be very weak and will sag under load taking apermanent set. At worst case it will have cracking and fail completely, as some people have stated.

The only option is a spring shop that can rework your old spring or just get a new spring made up. There is not any low-buck short-cut you can take on this one.

[41ChevyTrucker]

Kind of on the same subject... What about a bent spring? I have a front leaf spring on my chevy that looks like maybe someone put a jack under it and it started to bend the other way or flatten out on one side. Can I straighten it cold or will that also weaken it?


_Eric

[BELLM]

Yes, You can straighten it cold. You can re- arc cold, reverse main leaf to have reverse eyes, just a helluva lot of work.

[41ChevyTrucker]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, You can straighten it cold. You can re- arc cold, reverse main leaf to have reverse eyes, just a helluva lot of work.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Bell I will try it.

_Eric

[Deyomatic]

Check out my post about "Crazy stuff, My lucky day..." I had 3 out of 4 leaf springs on the driver's rear of my 55 snap on me yesterday. I guess they just get old.