Willys MB 1944 front springs

1941 - 1945, MB, GPW Technical questions and discussions, regarding anything related to the WWII jeep.
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Barnii
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Willys MB 1944 front springs

Post by Barnii » Sun Oct 08, 2017 10:52 am

Hello all,
I managed to get the original front leaf springs for my Willys MB 1944 (10 sheets). On the left the spring should be painted the letter "L". Unfortunately, the color is gone. How to know which spring is for the left side? They are somehow marked?
Thank you for Your help.
Barnii


irakli
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Re: Willys MB 1944 front springs

Post by irakli » Sun Oct 08, 2017 1:00 pm

I red that 8 leaf springs are correct for 44 MB, was changed to 10 leafs in 45. 10 leaf version does not have L and R side.
I have 44 MB and took out 2 leafs from the rear wrap to make it 9 leaf version.
1944 Willys MB
1978 VOLVO TGB 1111

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Re: Willys MB 1944 front springs

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Oct 08, 2017 2:03 pm

Why mess up a good set of Mather 10 leaf springs as they are an OEM Item

"Ten Sheets"! It's been decades since I was in that condition. :wink:
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Barnii
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Re: Willys MB 1944 front springs

Post by Barnii » Sun Oct 08, 2017 9:23 pm

Hello Irakli,
thank you for the answer, but I think you're wrong. The change occurred already in the year 1944.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=266643&p=1552618#p1552618

I wonder whether even in this set (10 sheets) is the spring on the left side tougher than the right side.

irakli
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Re: Willys MB 1944 front springs

Post by irakli » Tue Oct 10, 2017 12:21 am

Thank you for providing the link to the discussion. So change occured in Sept. 44, and there was last 4 month in 1944 when 9/10 springs was installed.
I am restoring March 1944 MB and just not following changes which happened later .
1944 Willys MB
1978 VOLVO TGB 1111

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Chuck Lutz
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Re: Willys MB 1944 front springs

Post by Chuck Lutz » Tue Oct 10, 2017 8:27 am

The late 10-leaf front springs are NOT just a set of 8-leaf springs with two leaves added so removing two isn't the way to go.. If you look at the SNL you will find that there are different lengths to the majority of them in each spring pack. Also, the 11-leaf rear springs can't be "made into" 9-leaf rears by the removal of two leaves for the same reason.

Can you butcher a set of springs to do that? Certainly you can, but given that there are MANY more 8/9 spring sets than there are 10/11 I would think you could trade them pretty easily to a late-war owner or at the least....trade the 10-leaf fronts to a guy who wants to mount a winch on the front of his jeep.

Some guys have ADDED leaves to their 8/9 spring packs because they are shot in an attempt to give them some life but that is not the same as having the springs re-arched (hot), it's just like adding "overload" springs to your pickup truck in a vain attempt to help the suspension when in fact, your springs are shot and need replacing.
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

irakli
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Re: Willys MB 1944 front springs

Post by irakli » Wed Oct 11, 2017 6:57 am

Chuck Lutz wrote:
Tue Oct 10, 2017 8:27 am
The late 10-leaf front springs are NOT just a set of 8-leaf springs with two leaves added so removing two isn't the way to go.. If you look at the SNL you will find that there are different lengths to the majority of them in each spring pack. Also, the 11-leaf rear springs can't be "made into" 9-leaf rears by the removal of two leaves for the same reason.
I fully agree with you about the correct approach should be used during restoration. I regret to find out , that 9 wrap was correct for my Jeep only after I bought springs on Ebay and imported them from the States to the Country of Georgia (part of USSR in past). And this is not a cheap tasks. It is obvious that one restoring a Jeep should read a lot before buying any part. I installed first aid bracket which I redo if I could. However with more knowledge I am not putting chart holder under the hood even I have bought one.
1944 Willys MB
1978 VOLVO TGB 1111

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Re: Willys MB 1944 front springs

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Oct 11, 2017 4:50 pm

10 Leaf Front Springs were listed as a legitimate replacement for the 8 leaf in the late war ORD 9 for the G-503. Ever notice how flat the 8 leaf springs became in WWII use ? the arch disappeared. They handled much better with the 10 leaf installed. I realize there are purists out there who just have to install originals, even if they are pounded out.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Re: Willys MB 1944 front springs

Post by Chuck Lutz » Wed Oct 11, 2017 5:06 pm

Irakli...

Maybe you can get our local center Zaza Pachulia to bring you a correct set!

Go Warriors!
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

irakli
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Re: Willys MB 1944 front springs

Post by irakli » Sun Oct 15, 2017 9:57 am

Chuck Lutz wrote:
Wed Oct 11, 2017 5:06 pm
Irakli...

Maybe you can get our local center Zaza Pachulia to bring you a correct set!

Go Warriors!
Till now he only brought Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy to Georgia for a while.
1944 Willys MB
1978 VOLVO TGB 1111

irakli
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Re: Willys MB 1944 front springs

Post by irakli » Mon Oct 16, 2017 6:37 am

Ben Dover wrote:
Wed Oct 11, 2017 4:50 pm
10 Leaf Front Springs were listed as a legitimate replacement for the 8 leaf in the late war ORD 9 for the G-503. Ever notice how flat the 8 leaf springs became in WWII use ? the arch disappeared. They handled much better with the 10 leaf installed. I realize there are purists out there who just have to install originals, even if they are pounded out.
Using restored Jeeps with full load in demanding terrain is rare nowadays. Therefor 8/9 leaf’s, even flat, may work on a paved road.
One should pay attention to get correct size small, 8 leaf, 9 leaf and large (11 leaf) spring clips when ordering as they are of different lengths.
1944 Willys MB
1978 VOLVO TGB 1111

irakli
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Re: Willys MB 1944 front springs

Post by irakli » Wed Oct 18, 2017 10:54 pm

This photo shows 10 and 8 leaf front springs. Both have 8 leafs of same size.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WzfwLBKUxHfZvOmu1

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Re: Willys MB 1944 front springs

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Oct 19, 2017 4:22 am

Genuine GI Issue Mather 8 or 10 leaf springs in perfect condition are almost trophy value, why alter a perfectly good pair. Also, the MB handles better with the 10 leaf front springs.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

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Re: Willys MB 1944 front springs

Post by Chuck Lutz » Thu Oct 19, 2017 6:05 am

Go to the SNL and check the length of EACH leaf in the 8-leaf front and the 10-leaf fronts... they have a different part number....and different length leaves...so NO....the 8-leaf spring sets are NOT just given a couple more leaves to make them 10-leaf spring sets.
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

irakli
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Re: Willys MB 1944 front springs

Post by irakli » Fri Oct 20, 2017 6:56 am

Barnii
Not to hijack the thread, here is the information provided by Ben Dover 5 years ago in his viewtopic.php?f=4&t=210943#p1236919 post:
Ben Dover wrote:
Thu Sep 27, 2012 4:39 am
FRONT SPRINGS
MB Front Springs were 8 Leaf and 10 Leaf. Originals were manufactured by Mather.

8 Leaf Spring was Willys Part No's A-612 on Left and A-613 on Right.
10 Leaf Front Spring was Willys Part No. A-8463
...
As part number is same for 10 leaf front springs, the left and right springs shall be the same.

Chuck Lutz
Thank you for clarification. I red viewtopic.php?f=4&t=210943#p1317065 a while ago and I just forgot that.
It means that I have Frankenseins . I will take measurements of leafs later.

And: Chuck Lutz, Ben Dover - I love reading your posts. They are of great help as other Gee's here.
1944 Willys MB
1978 VOLVO TGB 1111


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