'40 Commander front suspension

[Guest BubbaBear]

Not sure how to ask the question until I know the name and purpose of the part in question. It goes from front wheel to front wheel and appears to connect under the leaf spring onto the brake backing plate. It seems to be a three piece plus nuts and washers assembly that connects in the middle. I haven’t been under the car so I am relying on Mikes description and the photos below. Can anyone tell me what it is, maybe where I can find a replacement, and how to install it.

[Guest BubbaBear]

I've now been told that this is an after market helper spring added to address a sagging traverse spring. Anyone know what is involved in removing the traverse spring to have it re-arched?

[Guest stude8]

I don't have a service manual for the 1940 Commander but the parts catalog Plate 53 illustrates the transverse spring assy and it looks to require unbolting the M28-1 U bolts and probably some of the other M28-5 mounting plate bolts to seperate the spring from the chassis cross member then the M22-1 link bolts at outer ends from spring ends.

What I see is that there are 4 rubber bushings M22-6 located at inner and outer ends of the links that likely need replacement at this age that will affect the spring height position. Maybe the spring doesn't need rearching, just new bushings.

Stude8

[Guest stude8]

The part number for M22-6 bushings on 8 cyl cars is 189604 [outer] and 191393 [inner] four each. There are also steel shims part #41X64 called for as required.

Stude8

[Guest BubbaBear]

Thanks I'm sure the bushings are all needed but I suspect the springs need re-arching.

I have been doing research on the planar suspension and transverse spring. Unfortunately I can find very little info. The shop manual has almost nothing. One photo with info stating that if it is necessary to lift the car that the planar suspension should be kept in a loaded position and to use planar lifting tool F-15. And a very confusing entry in the index as follows: Unnecessary Replacement of Planar Front Springs (107)………………………..5 There is no information whatsoever regarding the Planar Front Springs on either of those pages. My concern now is what kind of job is this going to be. Will removing this transverse spring cause damage or collapse of the front wheels? Is this something we will be able to do or will we need to take it somewhere that has a lift to remove the transverse spring. Of course that ties up a lift until they can be re-arched. All in all I have not been able to find much info at all about the service and repair of this type of suspension.

[Guest BubbaBear]

Could I trouble you to get me the part number for the transverse spring? I have the shop manual but need to order the parts manual. Thanks.

[studeboy]

There are 3 different possible springs for Model 10 A. The difference is the number of leaves, 14, 15 or 16 leaf. The respective part numbers are: 1999081, 1999082, 1999083. There is even a different 16 leaf spring for hearses. Especially important to keep these all in good shape on the 1940 commanders and presidents as it was the one year studebaker didn't install a control link to keep the wheel in position somewhat if the spring broke.