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12.0 Springs and Shock Absorbers

GPW springs are assembled with heavy steel spring clips riveted to the underside of the spring. Each clip is clamped with an “f” head 1/4” hex bolt. The inside surface of the spring clip should not show wear marks where the spring leaves contact the clip. Vehicles made before mid 1944 had 8 leaf front springs and 9 leaf rear springs.

The torque reaction spring was incorporated in production with contract W-398-QM-11424 (W-374-ORD-2742). GPWs produced after May ‘42 should include the spring *.

According to “Ord dept report”, AAW #2 P223, the “heavy type” springs were introduced on 6/28/44. These were 10 leaf springs on the front and 11 leaf on the back.**

Shock absorbers installed on GPWs were manufactured by Gabriel and are stamped with the manufacturers name, patent numbers and serial number on the outer tube. These shock absorbers are often, but not always marked with a script “f” above the Gabriel markings. Gabriel rear shock absorbers have a flared lower end on the outer tube as well as a “stone shield” on the inner tube. The front shock absorbers have a straight (non-flared) outer tube and lack the stone shield. For an illustration of GPW shock absorbers see Figure 87 of TM 9-1803B (4/44).

* Based on MB changeover. SNL G-658 (Ford master parts list) dated 2/29/44 shows torque reaction spring included in vehicle types A-6, A-7, A-8. See chart on pg. “C” for contract numbers. ** Heavy-type springs were introduced in response to a series of successful tests performed at Aberdeen in September ‘44.

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Updates to this info below this line

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