VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 1951 rear springs

The rear springs I removed from my 51 were "wrapped". Was that standard from the factory and does anyone know if the replacements can be wrapped? The only thing I could find thru a Google search was a couple articles regarding UK Mfg. cars.

The rear springs on my '51 are wrapped too and that's the way it came new.

Steve,

As stated, my '51 has the covers on the springs, as well.

GM Parts book shows 606374 or 605383 springs, including covers. Covers are not listed alone.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/parts/1929_54/433.htm

You may want to contact a spring MFG, such as Eaton Spring in Michigan. Ask them if they still make or supply the spring covers.

http://www.eatondetroitspring.com/

My guess would be no, but guesses don't count.

The early 1951 springs had full covers. The late had only the last foot or so covered as did the 1952.
The 1953 and 1954 had no covers but rather inserts between the ends of the leafs (1953 and 1954 inserts were not the same)
Replacement after market springs never have covers. Also the covers alone were not sold by GM.

My 53 built in March at Tarrytown has rear leaf spring covers, been in the family since new. You might want to check that info, I recall reading somewhere that they were no longer used in 54

There is also a special "C" clamp with a Zerk fitting that was used to lubricate the rear springs with the spring covers.

In a post in the General discussion forum there are what appears to be spring covers. They look to be made much like what the UK covers (gaiters) were described as. I like the idea of being able to keep them greased (impossible to keep painted and not rust). Just wondering if anyone has devised a way to replace/add boots to their springs.

In 1933 Chevrolet offered leather or canvas spring covers as an accessory.

I have lubricated my spring covers by drilling out the present greasing holes slightly and threading in a small grease fitting. Even made extra holes so the grease would flow out of both ends of the covers. There is a canvas wraping inside of the metal cover that can block the flow of grease. The weight must be off the spring when greasing so the leaves spread a little.

I have one, took me 3 years of snooping in used tools at the annual swap meet but finally found one that did not have the tip of the grease nozzle broken off. I like the method mentioned in this post of drilling the holes in the springs to accept zerk fittings.

Thanks for that information Gene. It also explains why there was no noise made by the metal covers as they were canvas lined. Sounds like the leather or canvas covers are something that could be fabricated. The ones that I saw on the UK ad were a combination of both and said the canvas was used to allow any water or moisture to drain.

I think that I have two of those "C" clamp spring lubricators. Now....if I can only remember where I put them!

A little warning. It will take a lot of grese to fill the covers. After doing this keep some pieces of cardboard under the springs when the car is parked in your garage as grease will keep ozzing out.

So I looked at mine and I have the:

The late had only the last foot or so covered as did the 1952.

So should I do anything to them? No zerks

You should find a little "grease hole" centered on the bottom. If you don't have the "offical" grease tool I would enlarge the hole enough to thread in a small size grease fiting. Then pump the cover full of grease, remove the fitting, and lay some cardboard under the spring to catch the drippings. I don't recall what sized drilleis used but it was not much larger than the original hole. Ths metal in the cover if fairly soft zinc I believe.Yes, also take the load off the spring.

Thanks ill have to check for the holes? I may have painted/sandblasted them shut?
No one has addressed what the heck these springs were covered for anyway?
Keep the dirt and rocks out when spread apart?

The first year to have covered rear springs were the 1934 Masters. If you ever had an old car with uncovered springs and no friction inserts you would find the springs would squeak like crazy. The could be oil or greased between the leaves but this didn't last long, especially with the dirt roads that were still common in the '30's and '40's.

From the 1934 Master Engineering ...."The rear springs of Master models are are coveerd with thin gauge Terne plate ....They are joined at four points to to flex with the spring. Before assembling the cover the spring is coated with grease about 1/8" thick. Over this coating the cover is assembled with a canvas lining next to the spring. The canvas lining has a strip of felt sewed to each end and acting as a seal to retain the lubricant......the lubricant is sufficent for 1 1/2 to 2 years . When additional lbricant is requoired, a hole may be punched in the cover and more grease forced in."

Later year usually had holes from the factory.

Gene, can you tell me how the seam was placed-laced at the top or the bottom. I'm guessing top , but want to be sure. One shop I checked with to have them made wanted $250.00 so I am checking others, but at those rates I only want to do it once.

At the top.

Thank you once more!!

Look what I found and fixed, thanks.

Yes and there even appears to be a part number on the wrapper. Wonder if it's the spring assy. number?

That is the factory part or ID number for the cover. Not a published number.