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By lyonroad - 10 Years Ago
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I am installing new leaf springs on my '55 Club Sedan and have discovered that the front hanger bolt is a specialized item B5AZ-5780-A. In essence it is an approximately 3 1/2" long shoulder bolt with a 7/16" shaft and a 3/8" NF threaded section. Mine are shot and no one seems to have this part. I am thinking of reaming out the inside (3/8") hole in the hanger to 7/16" and using a straight 7/16" bolt.and and nylock nut. Has anyone encountered this?
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By miker - 10 Years Ago
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Mark,
Back in the late 60's, I snapped that hanger bolt. My first lesson on spring wind up. The bolt broke at the edge of the spring, but the long end was rusted in solid. I ended up drilling it out, and IIRC, did pretty much what your talking about. At the time, I didn't worry much about why it was designed the way it was, or possible consequences. But it worked. Today, I might be tempted to try a little harder to find a replacement, or turn a bolt down. I used youth and ignorance on a lot of problems in those days.
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By aussiebill - 10 Years Ago
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lyonroad (1/18/2015)
I am installing new leaf springs on my '55 Club Sedan and have discovered that the front hanger bolt is a specialized item B5AZ-5780-A. In essence it is an approximately 3 1/2" long shoulder bolt with a 7/16" shaft and a 3/8" NF threaded section. Mine are shot and no one seems to have this part. I am thinking of reaming out the inside (3/8") hole in the hanger to 7/16" and using a straight 7/16" bolt.and and nylock nut. Has anyone encountered this?
Mark, yes that is the simple fix and works well.
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By lyonroad - 10 Years Ago
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Thanks, Mike and Aussie. I will keep looking but I am not hopeful that i will find a pair in good condition. I suspect that a shoulder bolt is used so that the nut can be tightened up without compressing the hanger bracket.
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By PF Arcand - 10 Years Ago
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Mark: Thanks for bringing this subject up. My 57 needs all new spring bushings etc. And looking at it, I wouldn't be surprised if I ran into a similar situation, as I suspect all the pivots and so on are original. However, I'm not sure if the front of the spring mountings is the same as a 1956, so need to look at it further. I got a rough quote from a spring shop to replace all the hardware at $600.00 + tax, so was contiplating tackling it my self,.. but maybe not?
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By Jimz Bird - 10 Years Ago
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Is this the same 5780 you are looking for?
CASCO Catalog pg 20.
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By lyonroad - 10 Years Ago
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Jim, thanks. That looks like the part I need. Too bad I already have all of the other components. I will check the catalog to see if I can get just the bolts. I ordered all the parts from Mac's before i realized the front hanger bolts were special. The new springs came with front bushings already installed.
Just looked at the catalog. I can see that the bolts are sold separately. Thanks very much. I've book marked the CASCO catalog for future use.
Jim, after closer inspection I see that the 5780 in the CASCO catalog is for a T-Bird. Those bolts are over 7" long. The ones I need are only about 3.5" long. I am guessing that the T Bird bolt goes through the frame as well as the spring hanger. Thanks anyway.
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By lyonroad - 10 Years Ago
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PF Arcand (1/19/2015)
Mark: Thanks for bringing this subject up. My 57 needs all new spring bushings etc. And looking at it, I wouldn't be surprised if I ran into a similar situation, as I suspect all the pivots and so on are original. However, I'm not sure if the front of the spring mountings is the same as a 1956, so need to look at it further. I got a rough quote from a spring shop to replace all the hardware at $600.00 + tax, so was contiplating tackling it my self,.. but maybe not?
Paul, the '57 uses a larger bushing than the '55. Ironically, Mac's sent me the '57 bushings by mistake. I just returned them last week. I'd have given them to you at cost ($16.95 ea).
I got all the hardware from Mac's for about $125.00 including shipping. The springs came from General Springs in Kansas City KS. Springs were only $130 a side but shipping was a killer. $100.00
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By PF Arcand - 10 Years Ago
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Mark (lionroad). Very belated reply, sorry.. thanks for the info. Yes, I would have bought the bushings off you.. Anyway, my mind fell off the rails & I forgot to reply. Hopefully you sorted out the spring issues. I haven't pursued it any further re my 57..
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By lyonroad - 10 Years Ago
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Yes Paul I sorted it out. I tried drilling the 3/8" hole to 7/16 but the material was too tough. Used an old tap to thread it to 7/16" and that worked good. No slop.
Mark
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