Jumped in my '55 F100, drove up to the stop sign 2 blocks away, slowed, truck pulled hard to right. Then...BANG! Right front dropped a little, got out and walked around. Looked behind front tire, there was the right front Monoleaf, broked in two. Broke about 12" behind the axle, in a 'meaty' part! Glad I wasn't runnin' hard at Eagle! I started it back up, and backed slowly back home... Dragged my chrome bumper up the drive on the 'low side'... Axle is now still 'held', but by the front of the spring. On the swingin' shackle end! This could have made an ugly dent in my nice hauler. These damned monos are going the way of the Magnum axles and Chinese spindles. Yep...in my junk trailer. $200 a ton. I'll try and take some pics, post 'em from Photobucket...if I can't I'll email one of you guys and you can post 'em. O.K.?
You are now a member of the ever growing broken monoleaf club! You were lucky. Hope you & others will learn from your misfortune. Put regular multi-leave springs back in it !!!
They were the originals, Sac Vintage Ford handles them...They've been on there 10 years. I think there's only 1 mfr., Fred...It really 'looked right', esp. with my 'new' '57-'59 type axle. (1" more drop) But of you took a side view down low, it looked like it was. ONE spring leaf per side! LOL They had such great hype I finally gave in and used 'em. Been on there 8 or 9 years... The rumors of their 'breakage' were ONLY on the other spring guy's site, (he advertises "Double springs: One breaks, and then where are you?" I'll tell you where. Corner of 5th and Vermouth! LOL The real irony: the number of years I've been in springs, frame, axle, and wheel biz! Anyone else got Monoleaf breakage evidence?
Hi, Petey! (Tom Schall says hello) Yeah, I have some F100 packs around, my wife and I'll put a set in tomorrow...after we clean, sand, and paint...
Was going to put a mono leaf in my Roadster when I put it back together in 2006 but when I installed it the frame sat crooked. pulled the spring and took a close look and the arc on the left was different than the arc on the right. Called Pete and Jakes and they sent me a new one. This one was not as bad but still the left and right arcs were not the same. Called P&J and had them send me a Chrome Model A spring and it was good. I don't think you could ever get me to run a single leaf ever.
Not related, but then again? I learned something new about all of my son's and friends with broken rear leaf springs on their mixed-makes 4x4 drivers. All the ones we have replaced due to one or more broken leaves in the same pack, also had a completely "dead" shock on that pack. But we also have temp swings from below zero winter to 95 in summer, plus nasty potholes etc. The only reason I mention this, is you said 10 years, so I doubt the spring was flawed since new?
I had monoleafs on the front of my 37 Chevy truck.It was prototype set made by a guy named Durant in LA in 1995.He made them for 47-55 trucks but I don't know if the early spring got into production. I sold the truck to Laroke on this site. One spring broke on him a few years ago.I had added a second thin leaf to stiffen the front end.. that leaf acted like a safety.
I have a pair of Durant's Monoleaf springs on my '56 F100. I don't know how many miles I've accumulated-no breakage or sagging. I sure enjoy the ride. That was the reason I installed them. I had Posie's springs that didn't improve the ride at all. I did replace the bronze bushings where the shackles fit.
Thanks, guys...Yes, they are early Durant's. I thought "What a revellation, (not blindly, mused I...'They use 'em on GM Chevs'...) But they discontinued 'em. My son put a pair on his '55 F100, (SBF, C4) and says they're stiffer than a minister's dink. (his words) Lighter engine package? Or loose 'quality control'? He also hung one on the front of his '27 Track T Nose job...Hates it. (lopsided, like Fuzzy said...also very 'stiff'. Car is light, Chevy 327 w/Turbo 350) Monoleafs ('monoleaves', proper) are history in this man's corps....
Now you tell me! Guess I'll have to learn the hard way, as I just put monoleaf fibreglas springs on the front of my '55 Studebaker 3/4t with Packard V8. The good news is the truck now rides and handles 1000% better. I'll just have to watch for any signs of delam because glas springs don't fail in the same mode good-then-gone as steel.. jack vines
Like P-Wood said: "You are now a member of the Ever Growing Broken Monoleaf club." Live and learn. Is there still a 'statute of limitations' hereabouts? So much has changed.
I too have run a Durant monoleaf for many years and many miles. Be sure you have more then enough clearance between the top of the spring and the bottom of the frame rail when the suspension is fully collapsed. Many people notch the frame to be sure.
Had one on my deuce break. Replaced it and haven't had any problems with this one. Freeks you out when they break though.
My nephew bought 4 Monos for his 51 AD some 18 years ago and within a year, one of the front ones broke so when it was time to lower my truck, I wasn't about to take a chance with Monos so I went Multi-Leaf Lowered Springs. There should be a law against Mono Springs.
Sure helps me decide on which way I will go whenever I start the rebuild on my '54 F100. Glad you were close to home and moving slow when it happened!
Wife Joey and I cleaned a pair of F100 springs, 8 leaves each...reversed the arch on mainleaves, reversing the eyes. Drilled new spring centerbolt holes 1.25" forward, centering fron wheels in fenderwells. De-arched all the leaves, fitted them to a standing 5" per side; painted and installed them. Should have done this before: Would have, if I'd had the extra time. (shoulda, woulda, coulda. LOL) Also made a longer, adjustable drag link, machined threads. Life is 'better'.
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