Mike,
I am overhauling a set of springs from a ’64 F250 that are in great shape. I’m getting a list together of hardware to order from you folks.
I have read all your tips about coating/painting springs and not using grease between the leafs.
My question is that I have heard some people recommend spraying a thin coat of graphite between the leafs before reassembly as a lubricant.
What are your thoughts?
Chris
Good question, Chris
I cover the topics of coating/painting of springs in the Tech Questions Leaf Liners, Powdercoat and U Bolt Torque , Leaf Finish, and Powdercoating & Chroming Springs.
Greasing springs are covered in the Tech Questions, Greasing Between Leaves, and in Greasing Springs.
But we have never talked about using graphite.
Using graphite between the leaves would certainly reduce friction without harming the steel like grease does.
Nor would a layer of graphite be thick enough to cause looseness at the centerbolt once it wears like paint and powered coating does.
However, if your intention is to reduce inter-leaf friction, installing either tip inserts or full length liners would be a much better choice; for the effect of graphite will be short lived due to the flexing of the spring and its exposure to the elements will cause the graphite wear off.
Both our tip inserts and full length liners are made from Delrin which is some darn mighty tough stuff. I have seen springs that are completely worn out and the inserts still in good shape.
-Mike
