MTFCA Forum

A friend recently hit a pothole. Stopped, couldn't see any damage. A mile later the steering locked up. The front main leaf had broken across the centre bolt hole, the 2 sides worked out of the spring clamps and the front of the car dropped down. Never heard of this before, but it is an obvious stress point for the leaf.

That's why every town once had a black smith/ spring works. Springs break.

I had it happen on a rear taper leaf. Fortunately not the main leaf. Fortunately we have a local spring manufacturer and between us I got a new taper leaf made!!

I replaced a rear spring assembly because the top leaf had snapped in half.

Loose U bolts.

When T ‘s were used for everyday transportation that was fairly common. But that was over 50-60 years ago or longer.

I have a accessory front taper leaf spring that doesn't use a center bolt. The spring uses upward facing dimples the size of the center bolt head rolled into the spring leafs. I have seen era advertising for this type spring saying, "Avoid broken spring leaf failures with our springs". So your friend's experience is Model T era perfect.

When I rebuilt my springs both front and rear had one spring each broken at the center bolt. Welded them up good as new.

When leaf springs break at the center bolt hole, 99% of the time it is because the center bolt isn't tight enough, and/or the spring clamp isn't tight enough. That lets the spring flex where it shouldn't. There shouldn't be ANY flex in the center of the spring. Dave

I have two 13's, and both had had the front springs replaced. I wonder if that happened often? I remember it took me over a year to find a good replacement for my roadster, but I finally did. 1913's had two styles of springs, front and rear. Some had the curled leaves and some didn't.

I have a lot of them over the years. That and cracked front frame members.

I never have a spring break. It seems that we get busy here on the farm about then.

Herb, the moment I posted that subject line I was waiting for someone to come out with that line!

Good job Herb. I was waiting for Perry to mention it.
I refrained for some reason.

I haven't had one break there but have seen a few broken ones before.