Classic/Antique Car Repair: leaf spring squeaks, teflon liners, rear leaf springs

Question
I have an old Dodge truck that I was hoping to eliminate the squeaks in rear leaf springs. Is there a product that goes between the leafs to help eliminate squeaks? I have seen on newer trucks where there is a thin piece of rubber at each end of the lowest leaf or the overload spring, almost like a bumpstop. Maybe the squeak could be in hangers, if so, how could I fix that? Any help you could provide would be helpful. Thanks,  

Answer
You didn't say what size truck this is, but if it is a half ton pickup, you can jounce it with your body weight.  Get someone to jounce it while you slither underneath and grab each area of the rear suspension - all along each spring and especially the rear spring hangers and the front spring pivots.  If you feel vibration in your hand when you hear the squeak, you've found the problem.  Inspect that area to see if there is any sign of looseness or worn parts.  If all looks OK, and there is a zerk fitting on the part, give it a shot or two of chassis grease.  If there is not, then spray a penetrating oil on the parts (something like "PB Blaster" from your auto parts store) to see if that will stop the noise temporarily.  If it does, make up a mixture of 30% engine oil and 70% solvent (Diesel fuel, gasoline, kerosene, even transmission fluid) and spray that generously on the noisy area - that should stop it for a while.

You can also buy a special tool for lubricating springs with chassis grease with a regular grease gun, but these are hard to find and hard to use - I'd try the spray method first.

These vehicles were never particularly quiet, so you'll have to be satisfied with that treatment unless you want to have the springs and shackles all rebuilt with modern materials (Teflon liners between the leaves, zerk fittings on the hangers).

One caution:  Don't spray the springs themselves unless they are actually making noise - if it is just the shackles (hangers) and pivots, only treat them.  The friction between the leaves of the springs is a good thing, if it isn't bothering you with the noise.

Dick