Rear Springs

[missallpc]

I have what is supposed to be (and registered as) a '57 Chevy 3100 SS/SB. However, when I saw the rear springs I began to wonder if this was just a 1/2 ton truck or something else. I've checked online and in catalogs and can't find this spring configuration. I've attached a picture so if anyone can shed some light on this I would appreciate it, Thanks Paul

[agnes the dog]

The upper pack (above the silver block) looks as if it's not even connected to anything but the u-bolts. If the upper pack is not attached to the frame or other pack, it's likely not having any influence on the suspension at all. As force is applied on the suspension, the lower pack will flatten out, becoming even farther away from the upper pack. I think someone tried to increase the load capacity of the springs, but did it wrong. The lower pack appears to be a stock 1/2 ton spring pack. Never seen that before.

[Sixshooter44]

Looks like someone cobbled that **** together. Take that top pack out and get new u bolts

[1project2many]

The only manual I can find online shows the original springs have seven leaves with three clamps. The lower spring pack has seven leaves and I see two out of three clamps.

Are there pads attached to the frame rails where the ends of the helper springs (top spring pack) would contact it? If so, are they welded, bolted, or riveted on? I don't have manuals here to check but there's a chance that you might have factory installed helpers.

[_Ogre]

as mentioned... there would need to be a bracket on the side of the frame for those to work

Looks like someone cobbled that **** together.

agreed. remove them and get new u-bolts; unless you plan on logging with it

[Old Crow]

I'm going with the rest of these guys, aftermarket add-on overload spring. From back when the vehicle was actually used as a truck. The '54 we're doing had plates with short pieces of 4" pipe welded to them welded to the top of the axle. A short pair of coil springs were mounted to the pipes. Put enough weight in the bed, the spring hits the frame and takes some of the load.

[OrrieG]

In another time I worked on a loading dock for a company that sold wholesale frozen chickens. The Mexicans would come over from Juarez and buy chickens to sell door to door in the barrio. They would pull up in 50's cars (this was in 1974) and jack up the back so the wheel was off the ground and put a 4x4 between the axle and frame on each side. Fill the trunk and back seat with chickens and drive off.

[dwcsr]

This is a heavy duty spring pack that was stock on these years of truck. I see the helper perch on the frame, circled in red. Post a picture of the outside of the rail to show the helper perches. If you don't want to put any heavy items in the bed you can remove them

[Coupeguy2001]

They are overload springs like everybody else has said, but the angle stops that the ends of the springs rub against probably never got installed.
I have a set I took off my 57 as well.
And there was only one side angle stops installed.

[missallpc]

1project2many, you are right there are steel bumpers or pads attached to the frame. Seems obvious now that I look at it. Thanks, Paul

[missallpc]

Here's a picture....thanks guys

[mr48chev]

Those were/are pretty common on AD and TF trucks at least in this area. They let you have the smoother ride of the stock leaf springs and came into play when the load was enough to have them make contact with the pads on the frame. Just added unsprung weight unless you plan to hauls heavy items, a camper or pull a trailer.

[dwcsr]

If you plan on towing with it I'd leave them on. You won't see them with the tires on

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

If you plan on towing with it I'd leave them on. You won't see them with the tires on

yeah, it's a nice setup