Model t accessory spring perches

[Shelbycsx]

Have this axle with a longer leaf spring,

anyone seen this before?

[dobro1956]

I have one and also had one on a 1914 speedster I sold a few months ago. I believe one of the names they were sold as was "Longleaf" I'll try to post a photo later of the one on my Speedster if I can find a picture.

[ThreePedalTapDancer]

https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/4 ... 1394818299

[Les Schubert]

Do they improve the ride? I’m assuming that was the premise for making it?

[speedytinc]

Do they improve the ride? I’m assuming that was the premise for making it?

Or another snake oil product to open a fellows wallet?

[Retro54]

I have a similar spring set up on my cut-down 1915 touring car. Being that it is a 1915 front end, the accessory spring perches & longer leaves are joined by two bungs that go in the old spring perch holes. These bungs provide a spot for the wishbone to mount UNDER the front axle, correcting the geometry found in early cars with the wishbone mounting above the axle. I think that is really what the version of this type of accessory my car has was all about, removing the old spring perches and mounting the wishbone below the axle. A biproduct being needing a new place to perch, hence the longer spring.

The springs work just well. I've driven the car a decent amount since the fall of 2021 when I got it on the road. The ride the elongated spring leaves give is slightly softer than a normal T front end. However, when a beginner like me mistakenly lugs the engine in low gear, LOOK OUT! The front bucks up and down like a bucking bronco! ha. Helps cure a beginner of that bad habit quick! My front wheels also seem to have more camber than normal. Some people have mistaken the front for a wide track T, which it is not. My theory is that over time, the accessory leaf geometry may have pushed out the camber a little on the car, but I do not have any noticeable steering issues or odd tire wear, so it just might be what is will be. Other than that, I have found no issues, and it is a super fun accessory to have and chat about.

Andy

[Retro54]

Do they improve the ride? I’m assuming that was the premise for making it?

Les, please see my comment above... can produce quite the bucking sensation if not careful! ha.

[Retro54]

Here's a link to another post I made when I first got my car. Has closer pictures of my set up as well as some images from other forum members.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2701&p=21004&hilit=spring#p21004

Andy

[Retro54]

Have this axle with a longer leaf spring, 20230115_074637.jpganyone seen this before?

Shelby, on closer examination, the casting in your photos appears to be the same as the ones on my car. See this link to a post I made about my perches, same "FT" casting number.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2701&p=21004&hilit=spring#p21004

What are your plans with yours?

[TXGOAT2]

The longer spring could be expected to improve ride compliance while reducing roll stiffness. The attachment points are suspect. It would work much better if paired with some kind of actual shock absorbers. I wouldn't think it would affect camber unless the clamps distorted the axle forks. For best results, the rear spring would need to be similarly modified. Model Ts varied so much in their weight and weight distribution that several kits would probably have been needed to get good results in all applications. Weak points with most all of these type accessories seems to be how they attached to the axle, complexity, added weight, durability issues, and a lack of real damping action. Adding lubricated spring gaiters and Hartford-type friction shocks or hydraulic shocks, front and rear, would be a much better modification. Ford improved the basic T suspension layout along those lines starting in 1928. To allow adding significantly to spring length, Ford moved the springs off the axle centerline on the later models and eventually added longer shackles and a front roll bar and front and rear track rods.

[Original Smith]

They are somewhat common, but in my opinion, just another junk part. Lets try to keep our cars authentic.

[Shelbycsx]

It's an authentic original part.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

It's an authentic original part.

Yes, just not an original, authentic Ford Motor Co. part.