Pre War Silversides Greyhound Bus Leaf Spring Replacement

We restore the leaf springs on a 1941 PDG4101 Yellow Coach "PreWar" Silversides. This video show how leaf springs are made.
"First look" at this bus
• 4101 Outside 9-30-2019
More PreWar Rescue videos
• Getting Wheels and Tir...
• 4101 11-17-2019 . Part...
Carter's Garage
/ @cartersgarage
Indiana Diesel
/ @spyke383

[@Perkelenaattori]

Good thing you went with the more layers approach with the springs. Even though I'm just a man from the internet, trust me when I say your back will thank you for it.

[@loualiberti4781]

She’s a Beauty !

[@donmoore7785]

Those springs are massive - very impressive construction - love to watch any manufacturing and this is no exception. Looking forward to seeing more progress. I can only imagine the slack jaws when it was discovered the pins are threaded!

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

The leaf spring manufacturing was awesome. Can't wait to see the next videos!!!!!! Stay safe!

[@2flyabove]

I never would have guessed that the pins holding the springs on were threaded. Anyway, that was neat to see the springs being made. Cheers!

[@johncholmes643]

Kenworth trucks have been that way just up until recently

[@dennissmith1469]

Thats Awesome!! Cant wait to see more on your bus

[@zephyrold2478]

I second that.

[@MrGaryradford]

I love your videos. I'm restoring a 1984 VW Vanagon and I look forward to seeing the silversides and the progress you are making! Those springs are a work of art and I enjoyed seeing the process. Keep the videos coming Sage!

[@tony66au]

A Spring SPRING update! I agree with you on getting the mechanical and exterior 'Right' before spending money on the interior too, the old girl seems more than functional for use and with good bones and mechanics she will give much enjoyment.

[@AlisonFort]

New springs look great Sage - good luck with the wiring diagrams!

[@jimmytjomsland6132]

Think this is or can be called "going native" !! Enjoy the wild look!!

[@philipblick8887]

Hi there l am a retired auto electrician here in New Zealand, l would enjoy having a electrical restoration project like this to get stuck into. Young auto sparkles these days probably wouldn't have a clue where to start first....

[@SilversidesSage]

I don't think I'm going to restore it. My plan is to update to LED.

[@shaneharrison4775]

Happy to see ya sage

[@mitchrenee]

Blacks spring is the best. I had them do custom springs for my 1962 Studebaker.

[@robertironside3166]

Hoping to see you drive your red bus from Texas soon Sage. Watching Scott and Tyler get his bus up to the property in Tennessee made me think of you guys getting your bus back and in the fold so to speak :-) Such a great and complete Bus [great colour that sort of India Red?]. Anyway all the best!

[@kevinhamling1963]

Hey man Kevin here from Australia. Great video. I've been following your adventures for a while now both on your channel , Bus Grease Monkey and Indiana Diesel and your doing a great job keep em coming. ✌ Peace man

[@billbeck47]

I am fine, thanks for asking.

[@strayhound61]

When I first bought my 4106, I kept it about 10 miles from my house. I quickly found out that there was no way I was ever going to complete the conversion with it "so far away." (not very far compared to your situation) Anyway, I started taking it home to work on on Friday night and Saturday and taking it back and then keeping it longer and longer till my neighbors got used to it being there and then it was there all the time. That's the only way I was ever able to get it done. Have you thought about flat bedding it to Indiana, or towing with the driveshaft out? In the long run, it will probably save $$. Good luck with your labor of love. Anxious to see the finished project.

[@christopherrasmussen8718]

You saved it from death. Awesome job. I know it’s been a team job. Wow, wild man! It brings tears to my eyes to see Americans making springs. They got to be one of the last doing it. I’ve been waiting for this video since I saw the new springs on Chris and Company’s channel. Can’t you look into having a new flange CAD, CAM? Wish I could travel, that dash is something I could do. I wanted a Silver Sides but the wife found a Wanderlodge and now I got my own road to hoe. Be safe. Good luck! Can’t wait to see the finished product!

[@robertironside3166]

Good stuff SAge. Love to see you hit up Zephyr for a polishing endorsement as you'd be able to see the old girl from the moon once you too a buffing kit of theirs and the sticks of jeweller's rouge that come with it... and buffed all the panels [make you want to work on it 100% more]. Cool to hear about the glass in your plans. Going to paint it a dark red or Teal after the white top? She'd look slick in no time for sure. I think Scott is thinking of hitting up that foundry for some springs on his. Think with both springs and some air bags she'd be safe and ride smooth as you can get. He needs springs because of all the mountains of tools he carries and all. Anywya, good job to see you moving on this bus. Now that Tyler just got his Dad the heavy Dodge pickups, perhaps a tow bar scenario and your bus to Scott's place for some work would not be too rediculous a prospect? Worth thinking on at any rate. :-))

[@heartland96a]

You have a plan and some good people to help , now taking it a step at a time and not loose faith or focus and with a bit of time and no surprises that bus will be restored once again . That's fantastic getting the springs replaced that alone has to g a long ways to making it safe and restore its handling on the road . I wonder how many outfits like that remain as I may have need of one .

[@SilversidesSage]

Indianapolis used to have four spring builders now they have none.

[@heartland96a]

@@SilversidesSage That's what I was afraid of , that the old school basic business's are disappearing so future restorations will be almost impossible .

[@SilversidesSage]

@@heartland96a Truck trailers use leaf springs... there will always be a resource.

[@heartland96a]

@@SilversidesSage but i think it will be left to buying off the shelf new and loose the custom and repair aspects

[@christopherrasmussen8718]

I’m getting picky. Wondering if it’s Chinese steel. Just like the spring makers. We make very little steel anymore. I have seen lines of Chinese scrap freighters leaving Tampa Bay. Overflowing with our old junk cars and steel beams.

[@jimo199966]

I'm really enjoying the content and updates. Nothing is impossible with time, patience and a certain amount of money. Is the destination window also glass?

[@SilversidesSage]

Yep

[@mikemullay5622]

You look just like me!

[@markphilpott8735]

I figured you already had your springs fabricated. They look good. Did you consider "taper leaf" springs? They tend to give a better ride, especially on the steer. Looks like you're making progress, keep up the good work.

[@SilversidesSage]

I pretty much took what I could get. I entrusted them to build what would be the best way to go for this bus.

[@aramrius7740]

I’m still waiting for some one who restores an old American bus from A to Z asit was back on its days. And not rusty parts under body.

[@SilversidesSage]

Try Paradise Coach Interiors in Oregon.

[@richardwendling4030]

Hey TheSage, I love the bus content. Who doesn't love these Silversides? Quick question about VW(I looked for a VW vid in your list...). Have you ever noticed how in almost every movie you ever watch you will see a VW bug or beetle? It may be in a wrecking yard or parked in front of the park, but it is there. Any thoughts?

[@SilversidesSage]

They have sold more beetles than any vehicle on the planet.

[@mkollander99]

Where in Indianapolis is the bus?I would love to see it. Thank you for saving history

[@billbeck47]

A machine shop may be able to make you one.

[@wi11y1960]

How about an update?

[@ronbutler6502]

HI RESTORATION OF ANY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION IS A WONDERFUL CONCEPT .I JUST HAVE A HARD TIME JUSTIFYING THE COST YOU NEED TO THE FINALIZED THE PRODUCT..BUT I UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO DO IT AND THE PASSION YOU HAVE FOR IT..TKS I HAVE THE SAME PASSION FOR RAILROAD ENGINES AND VEHICLES...WHICH I FEEL ALIENS ITSELF WITH THE BUS....TKS AGAIN

[@SilversidesSage]

Ron try taking off the caps lock on your keyboard. I restored 7 cars and I believe I have a realistic budget.

[@ronbutler6502]

HI Not sure why you have such hostility to my replies?? Not saying anything about your budget.spend what want to..I also have restored several vehicles in my 72 years on this earth, but I always tried to pick projects that seemed money sensible..I am assuming the availability of buses is the problem...tks

[@JuhaLehtinen]

Finnish Sisu trucks still have threaded leaf spring pins too. There must be some good reason for that, but I can't figure what that is.

[@cav551]

Greater surface area

[@abelmoreno318]

How much did it cost for all four

[@mattbrown9484]

I’d be very surprised if that u-joint flange is specific to the bus and an industrial application part is not available that will work. We have a guy in SE Michigan that has found parts all over the world for us. I’ll get the contact info on Monday and post it.

[@SilversidesSage]

Let me know Matt I am looking for old school Parts guys in Michigan

[@mattbrown9484]

The Sage - try Tim at Automotive Supply Company. 36857 Schoolcraft Rd. Livonia MI. You’ll need a bunch of dimensions off of the flange you are trying to replace. What series I-joint, pilot diameter, bolt circle diameter, number of bolt holes, distance of flange face to centerline of bearing holes...

[@mattbrown9484]

ASCO phone [phone]

[@mattbrown9484]

Once you get the sims you can search the internet for industrial u-joint flanges. The one you showed in your video looks pretty typical to me.

[@SilversidesSage]

@@mattbrown9484 Thanks! I will reach out to them. I figured there had to be a good vintage Detroit Diesel place in Detroit...

[@steveheiser7111]

Wow the spring video awesome.. have a 1951 pd4103 bus sagging on driverside....Sage would you mind telling me what kind of price it was to have those springs made....and are they exact replica of original...Steve from Florida

[@SilversidesSage]

A set of four ran about three grand and they took my old springs to create the new ones

[@leedonald58]

I would to tell you , that U-Hall trucks that had 19 “ tires & wheels , l just don’t remember when , that has been in the last 30 years , sorry I am giving my age a way , I am 70 , I will try to find out when , Don , Love watching Greesemonkey , sorry for spieling , Thanks Don .

[@jerrywatson7176]

I believe I heard either Cris or Tyler say the guy has a pattern now so he should be able to get a lot of business from others who need them.

[@SilversidesSage]

Black's blueprinted the leaf springs. They have enough material in stock for another set.

[@douro20]

Did Trailways order any of these?

[@SilversidesSage]

Yes, and Interstate Coach as well.

[@billbeck47]

How are you going to get your Texas Bus home?

[@SilversidesSage]

Drive it :)

[@MrMauserb]

Building custom leaf springs looks awesome...and expensive. I would love to be able to compare the ride between old and new springs. Get a haircut hippie.

[@SilversidesSage]

the price was half what I have seen elsewhere.

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

@@SilversidesSage The bad thing is that you had to have them. They will outlive all of us!!

[@Spyke383]

Wind noise!?!?!?!?!? 😡🤬🤯 Also pictures don't do the springs justice they turned out amazing. Now to see how well they fit.

[@mikemullay5622]

Have you found an engine for your Post-war Silversides yet?

[@SilversidesSage]

It only needs a blower, which I have waiting for me at a Detroit shop here in Michigan.

[@mikemullay5622]

@@SilversidesSage that's excellent. And good news.

[@VaporheadATC]

You really need a gyro for your camera. I was getting motion sickness with all the shaking. Good video though.

[@SilversidesSage]

I have one but I just didn't have it with me

[@shaneharrison4775]

Well you dont look no worse for wear