Tapered edge leaf springs

I went looking..

FWIW

They have a tapering machine. Family run business.

Edit: Machine tapers ends not sides, although without much fuss I'm sure tooling could be made to taper the sides as the ends are tapered hot.

Edited by littlesteve - 12 Apr. 2020 at 6:05pm

jpet brought me here.

XJ
KJ CRD x5 (+1 on the way,probably)
YJ about to be butchered & hit with the restoring stick.
TJ
One day I'll have a Willys, be cool like everybody else.

There is always an interesting history to everything:

https://www.motorera.com/history/hist08.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_suspension

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf_spring

Can't find it now but in the early days, the springs were also the dampening thus very harsh. As shocks became more prominent in 30s, they wanted the springs to move more and thus we saw the channeled springs on the early jeeps. less surface, so less dampening and the shock absorber took care of the movement for a smoother ride. The tapered ends were to stop the wear we have seen from the blunt end springs and also allow more movement of the springs.

Coil springs were becoming more popular in the late 30's but military stuck with the leaf spring as more rugged?

The major point I found was that it was EXPENSIVE to manufacture channeled and tapered springs, plus the change in technology to coiled means we can't find the original springs.

I have put the teflon spring liners on new springs for my wagon but have not road tested it yet. Research indicates that there is a lot of initial friction on the spring that has to be overcome so thus there is a smoother ride. so far in the garage looks good. I tried the grease on the original worn springs, good soft ride but wallowed on the road.

by the way, I think i have a set of those original channeled springs if anyone is interested in them.

Edited by willys54wagon - 10 Apr. 2020 at 4:54pm

Two jeeps on the road, one is close and the rest are dreams.

Are you guys saying there were channeled springs on the 2a's? I've only seen them on M38A1's.

Yes, the Eaton's I've seen on M38A1 's were cracked up terribly, sometimes into 3-4" pieces.

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littlesteve Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 28 Sep. 2019 Location: Over yonder Status: Offline Points: 112	Post Options Post Reply Quote littlesteve Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr. 2020 at 10:29am
	I went looking.. FWIW https://eatondetroitspring.com They have a tapering machine. Family run business. Edit: Machine tapers ends not sides, although without much fuss I'm sure tooling could be made to taper the sides as the ends are tapered hot. Edited by littlesteve - 12 Apr. 2020 at 6:05pm
	jpet brought me here. XJ KJ CRD x5 (+1 on the way,probably) YJ about to be butchered & hit with the restoring stick. TJ One day I'll have a Willys, be cool like everybody else.

Csagers Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 23 Apr. 2019 Location: Owensville In Status: Offline Points: 31	Post Options Post Reply Quote Csagers Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr. 2020 at 12:07pm
	As interesting as the metallurgy physics discussion is, yeah maintaining the look of the Mather springs was my main interest. Good discussion, and we've found a few possible solutions.

willys54wagon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 24 July 2008 Location: Ames, IA Status: Offline Points: 1444	Post Options Post Reply Quote willys54wagon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr. 2020 at 4:09pm
	There is always an interesting history to everything: https://www.motorera.com/history/hist08.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_suspension https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf_spring Can't find it now but in the early days, the springs were also the dampening thus very harsh. As shocks became more prominent in 30s, they wanted the springs to move more and thus we saw the channeled springs on the early jeeps. less surface, so less dampening and the shock absorber took care of the movement for a smoother ride. The tapered ends were to stop the wear we have seen from the blunt end springs and also allow more movement of the springs. Coil springs were becoming more popular in the late 30's but military stuck with the leaf spring as more rugged? The major point I found was that it was EXPENSIVE to manufacture channeled and tapered springs, plus the change in technology to coiled means we can't find the original springs. I have put the teflon spring liners on new springs for my wagon but have not road tested it yet. Research indicates that there is a lot of initial friction on the spring that has to be overcome so thus there is a smoother ride. so far in the garage looks good. I tried the grease on the original worn springs, good soft ride but wallowed on the road. by the way, I think i have a set of those original channeled springs if anyone is interested in them. Edited by willys54wagon - 10 Apr. 2020 at 4:54pm
	Two jeeps on the road, one is close and the rest are dreams.

oldtime Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 12 Sep. 2009 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 4186	Post Options Post Reply Quote oldtime Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr. 2020 at 4:49pm
	Channeled Jeep spring = Eaton spring
	Currently building my final F-134 powered 3B . T98-A Rock Crawler using exclusive factory parts and Approved Special Equipment from the Willys Motors era (1953-1963) Zero aftermarket parts

Csagers Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 23 Apr. 2019 Location: Owensville In Status: Offline Points: 31	Post Options Post Reply Quote Csagers Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr. 2020 at 4:51pm
	Are you guys saying there were channeled springs on the 2a's? I've only seen them on M38A1's.

oldtime Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 12 Sep. 2009 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 4186	Post Options Post Reply Quote oldtime Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr. 2020 at 6:00pm
	The Eaton springs were never factory installed on any CJ2A nor 3A. 1953 3B’s were available with Mather or Eaton. I for one don’t like the OEM Eaton’s. I have never seen an old set of them without cracked leaves. I believe the steel was overly tempered. They also are rarely seen without severe rust accumulated between leaves.
	Currently building my final F-134 powered 3B . T98-A Rock Crawler using exclusive factory parts and Approved Special Equipment from the Willys Motors era (1953-1963) Zero aftermarket parts

Csagers Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 23 Apr. 2019 Location: Owensville In Status: Offline Points: 31	Post Options Post Reply Quote Csagers Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr. 2020 at 6:09pm
	Yes, the Eaton's I've seen on M38A1 's were cracked up terribly, sometimes into 3-4" pieces.