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Leaf spring refurbish


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Front corners are done 🤞and the car feels so much better so next is the rear. Over the winter I want to strip the rear suspension, inspect and do what is necessary. I'll make up the spring lifter so I can safely remove and install the spring. One hub is leaking but I'm not sure I want to tackle that or have it done and shimmed by someone more experienced. However I am up for the challenge and willing to get the club hub puller. The spring I'll disassemble and use Delrin buttons.

Two quick early days questions.

I'll get it shot blasted first but what prep and paint to use on the spring.

What bushes to use, Superflex or Polybush etc for a compliant ride.

Iain

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Iain, you don't need the club 'puller' for Rotoflex hubs, which are located on parallel splines, unlike the earlier cars, where the hub is located on a tapered shaft and VERY tight! Any decent quality puller that fits will do.

As to bushes, I've used both Superpro and Polybush. The former I feel are better quality- they should be at the price! However, I've found that they do last longer in certain locations - i.e. the spring eyes.

Gav

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Iain

As long as the the spring is clean, the buttons replaced and perhaps lightly oiled (discuss), I wouldn't bother with painting it, just wrap it in Denso Tape. It is an impregnated fabric tape which effectively forms a protecting wrap and is used in the construction industry for protecting below ground tie bars etc.

I have done this on my GT6 spring to good effect I think.

Ian

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5 minutes ago, Ian Foster said:

As long as the the spring is clean, the buttons replaced and perhaps lightly oiled (discuss), I wouldn't bother with painting it, just wrap it in Denso Tape.

I'll agree with Ian; I don't paint mine, just derust with a wire brush, use plenty of grease around and between the leaves on reassembly and wrap with plumbers grease-impregnated tape from the edge of the diff mounting slot to the outer eyes. For my last few I've used polybush bushes as to be honest I got fed up cutting the old bushes out then squeezing the new ones in, and my polybush bushes are in two parts and so fit from either side. 

I also refurbished the bolts and crush tubes, as they get very rusty. Be aware that if you're buying replacement bolts go for those with the shoulder that clears the metal bracket; some may be the correct length but have the threaded section going through the bracket, which is weaker and just accelerates wear or breakage. I prefer the strength of the uncut section against the metal.

IMG_4609.jpeg.8719feb9e867ac8fd5348849155a6cc4.jpeg   IMG_4703.jpeg.7719a4852b4906409b0845e6153b632d.jpeg

 

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18 minutes ago, Ian Foster said:

Iain

As long as the the spring is clean, the buttons replaced and perhaps lightly oiled (discuss), I wouldn't bother with painting it, just wrap it in Denso Tape. It is an impregnated fabric tape which effectively forms a protecting wrap and is used in the construction industry for protecting below ground tie bars etc.

For the Bentley Boys vintage look!

I had a peak at the spring when inspecting the rear shoes. Its cruddy but may well wire brush up nice enough but I only want to do this once. Oiling or greasing leaf spring discussions will split the room! Before or if I disassemble I'll check the spring dimensions to see if it's still in spec. The back end does creak occasionally, so do I, but where from no idea.

Iain

Edited by Iain T
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4 hours ago, Ian Foster said:

just wrap it in Denso Tape. It is an impregnated fabric tape which effectively forms a protecting wrap and is used in the construction industry for protecting below ground tie bars etc.

Good stuff, but horrible to work with! In my old job we used it to seal cable connectors on radar and comms aerial connectors. Sticks like the proverbial to a blanket....🙂

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For that real Bentley look, add cord wrapping! 

My dad had tubs, about two feet across and high, that were used to 'waterproof' vehicles for D-Day!  It was the stickiest stuff I've ever met.   We used it as firelighter!  Dip a few sticks of split wood in it and they would flare then burn for ages.

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Doesn't wrapping the spring make it stiffer? I have a spacer of ? thickness fitted by the PO but I think that just lowers and alters the camber. I'm not looking to stiffen up the rear end and I have the GAZ shocks on only one or two clicks. Note I also have a Jigsaw CV joint fitted by them for the PO. Another reason I want to check everything!

Iain

Edited by Iain T
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30 minutes ago, johny said:

Blimey what sort of weather you guys expecting to drive your Triumphs in!

I really fancy doing some long rallies so I want reliability.

Edited by Iain T
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2 hours ago, Iain T said:

Doesn't wrapping the spring make it stiffer?

I wouldn't have though so, it's only fabric....just quite sticky though!

I would definitely use again, as it keeps all the water, grit and a salt out, which is what rusts and wears the spring in the first place.

Here's one I prepared earlier. Note that it's not wrapped where it clamps to the diff or at the outer ends where the spring lifter needs to bear.

Ian

DSC_8372.JPG

Edited by Ian Foster
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18 minutes ago, Ian Foster said:

Here's one I prepared earlier. Note that it's not wrapped where it clamps to the diff or at the outer ends where the spring lifter needs to bea

Do you wire strap the ends?

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14 hours ago, Iain T said:

Do you wire strap the ends?

I probably should have, but used heavy cable ties instead. This is the area I wrapped, doesn't affect the stiffness or certainly not for long as the stuff stretches during use but everytime the car is up on the ramp it still looks good and has not yet unwrapped after a few years. A good squirt of spray grease into the tape keeps it from drying out.

DSCF0402.jpeg.fac1de07f93aae40bf88a6e78276dd5e.jpeg

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6 hours ago, trigolf said:

Bu**er!😕

My thoughts exactly. It seems Friday night at the car park 5th floor is where they party. Guess what floor the Triumph is parked. Surprisingly they didn't damage the car. 

Iain

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