mark powell Posted February 13, 2019 Report Share Posted February 13, 2019 I have picked up an unknown used rear spring for the rebuild of my J. C. Midge. It has 11 leaves. Does anyone know what model it may have come off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted February 13, 2019 Report Share Posted February 13, 2019 Pretty sure that is std vitesse/herald. Certainly not estate or courier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 13, 2019 Report Share Posted February 13, 2019 Hello Mark, I can confirm Clive's response - Vitesse has 11x leaves; photos attached + a shot of stainless steel sleeve used when I refurbished mine last year. Best wishes. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bordfunker Posted February 13, 2019 Report Share Posted February 13, 2019 My 1200 has 11 leaves as per the photo below. You can just about count the leaves through the crud! Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 13, 2019 Report Share Posted February 13, 2019 Clive, As such, does the van / courier have more leaves ?? For some reason 12 or 13 leaves spring (excuse the pun) to mind ?? Or is it a case, less springs but more beef per leaf ?? Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 13, 2019 Report Share Posted February 13, 2019 11 is normal for the convertible; my 1200 Estate only has about six or seven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 13, 2019 Report Share Posted February 13, 2019 I take it then, Colin, that the leaf spring on an estate is beefier albeit requiring less leaves - is that correct ?? Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark powell Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Many thanks everyone! I will be removing one or two leaves, as the Midge is considerably lighter. I did this when I originally built it it 1985, but between selling it 7 years ago and buying it back last year it has inherited a swing spring which I don't want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpingFrog Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Estate (and Courier) springs have less leaves, but they are much thicker. As Richard showed, graphite grease between the leaves is a good idea, it prevents binding. You can also wrap it in Denso tape to stop dirt getting in: Information from the workshop manual, hope its useful: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Hello David, I've used Denso tape for leaf springs on other classics and have to say it is excellent stuff - not that expensive either, purchasing the proper Denso is the best option as "like" brands are not nearly as good. As you say proper graphite grease (mine was Penrite) is really the only item to use - ordinary grease does not contain the same properties to keep the leaves moving and using Copperease etc is a no-no. Stripping the transverse leaf down, cleaning and lubricating is a worth while job for obvious reasons, if you have the opportunity to remove the spring. Thanks for posting the suspension info - very useful. Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 yes wrapping , as grease attracts all the road dirt can make things into a grinding paste and wears out the buttons Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 12 hours ago, classiclife said: I take it then, Colin, that the leaf spring on an estate is beefier albeit requiring less leaves - is that correct ?? Regards. Richard. Yes, about 60% stronger and a bit flatter. The courier is even better if you want a swing axle car that can be thrown about (I fitted a courier spring with a lowering block to my old Estate, and that car handled REALLY well despite looking a shed) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Clive beat me to it, but that's the gen. Never tried to obtain a Courier spring - how difficult are they to find? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Rarebits had a batch made, must be 15 or so years ago. I bought one of the last. Owen springs would make one. Or a batch. A few would sell, pretty sure of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 my VIt6 saloon had one of Bills courier spec springs and a 1" lowering block , really good it replaced a awful experience using a swinger conversion which proved hopeless Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Works Spitfires Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 20 hours ago, clive said: Rarebits had a batch made, must be 15 or so years ago. I bought one of the last. Owen springs would make one. Or a batch. A few would sell, pretty sure of that. Who had them made?!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 Now there,s a clue, Well lets say we all bought them from Bill Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Works Spitfires Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 5 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: Now there,s a clue, Well lets say we all bought them from Bill Pete Really?!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 well we paid Bill i dont remember the shipped from address ha ! Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 If you want one, try Owen Springs, as mentioned above. They should have the specs, and one of a handful of companies that seem able to make a spring that works correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Works Spitfires Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 5 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: well we paid Bill i dont remember the shipped from address ha ! Pete We have a batch of these made every five or so years, and Bill has always come forward to take a few, and make it viable, but we have always stocked the bulk of the production run (only sold the last of the last run last year). We get Owen Springs to do them for us based on MOQ (minimum order quantity) that would otherwise wouldn't be viable unless Bill had got involved. Its a common story in the trade, a lot of this low volume stuff wouldn't get made unless another trader, or two tagged on. Now if only I could have persuaded another trader to take a few of those Courier grills we did a few years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 Thanks Dave explains a lot to those who dont understand volumes Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 On the subject of springs, I am having a nightmare trying to work out a spec for one on the back of my car. Currently using a slightly tired gt6mk2. Car has scooby diff and "rotoflex" but is sitting low and feels a bit soft. I bought a new spring from a reputable trader, but it sagged badly and bushes collapsed in a weekends use. Refunded, so no problem. But what I really want is a spring that will give me a little more ride height and probably slightly stiffer than GT6mk2. But IF i get one made by owens, I presume I would just ask for 25mm extra arch and 10% stiffer than std? Or is there a better way of calculating it? I do have a "oddball" spring I have been given by a friend, who has no recollection where it came from. It is new, 6 leaf with the curled under leaf clips (if that makes sense) so appears GT6mk2, but has about 40mm more arch than std. I may give that a go first. I could be getting good at spring swaps.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 Ever had any dealings with these guys? https://www.gbsprings.co.uk/heritage-car-springs/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 i hate springs when i first got the Vit6 we fitted a decamberd unit from Moss , think it cam off a pram. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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