VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc 41 AK front springs

While working on my "new" 41 AK that was suppose to have been restored. I noticed that the front springs are different - driver side has 7 leafs and the passenger side 8. Other than different ride quality what other problems will this cause? I have noticed that parts vendors all sell only pairs. Is it possible to get just one?

In my opinion you would only want to replace them in pairs. Otherwise you will end up with one side being a newer different tensile rated spring and the other an older different spring. You may be able to have them re-arced. Usually they will mix the spring leafs between the assemblies so that the flex will be about even from side to side. Probably on your truck one of them broke a leaf or two and that was the easiest fix. They just replaced the whole thing off of another truck in the wrecking yard.

You have said you have a '41 AK, so I assume you have a 1/2 ton.

If so, it should have 7 leaf springs on the front.
It's possible someone has replaced one spring with a 3/4 ton spring, which would fit but would have 8 leaves.

Do NOT be tempted to just remove 1 leaf from the 8 leaf spring.
The difference between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton springs is not just the number of leaves.
The thicknesses of the specific leaves is different as well.

Best to find another matched set of springs.

Also, the 8 leaf 3/4 ton spring is a 2 stage spring.