rozentas Posted October 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 Thanks for the advice. Tried to fit the vertical link but I had only compressed the springs to 9 inches. Subsequent research advises that the compressed spring length should be 8 inches, would you experts agree with that and is it 8 inches including the top and bottom retaining plates? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 It doesn't matter how much you compress it as once fitted it will expand outwards again until stopped by the shock. Even when off the car they bend. This pair was from a Herald, and it's the weight of the car when fitted that will press them inwards and so straighten them. I'll attach a spring-length chart; note there are two lengths for the Spitfire depending on the fitted spring. (Ignore the blue highlighted bit, it stayed on the photo when copied.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozentas Posted November 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2020 I have fit the suspension. It seems to me there’s something not quite right as the adjustable wishbones are touching the springs at the top as per the pictures. I know there’s no engine but even so do you agree or am I missing something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted November 5, 2020 Report Share Posted November 5, 2020 Yes, but you're missing the huge lump of metal called the engine... once you get that in, plus the weight of an occupant, the springs will settle considerably and the top wishbone will lift up off the spring. Once you've everything fitted you'll need to see how it performs on the road and if it's still hitting the spring, then you adjust accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted November 5, 2020 Report Share Posted November 5, 2020 52 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said: Yes, but I'm not sure I'd be happy with that. Sure the weight of the engine will pull the geometry around so that they aren't making contact when static. However, once you're driving, enthusiatically, and you crest a hill, the suspension will droop and the contact will be made again, this time as an impact. How significant is the contact? Is the wishbone nut pressing on the spring at all? Enough to move it, even slightly? If so, I think it needs fixing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozentas Posted November 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2020 The wishbone nut is not pressing on the spring but I agree with what you say. Is the solution to use adjustable shock absorbers and/or shorter springs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted November 5, 2020 Report Share Posted November 5, 2020 If it's only a marginal contact then you might get away with shaving a tad off the nut, or even rotating the spring a quarter turn. It does look a bit more than that in a couple of those photos. Also, check how it is when jacked up - you may not have the full weight on it but you have some and you want to be sure to fix the worst case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted November 5, 2020 Report Share Posted November 5, 2020 you can buy 1/2 nuts, I realise that there would be a lot of load on these nuts! Are there different suppliers of these adjustable wishbones as the actual wishbone shown looks very short and there's a lot of adjustable track rod thread showing. any members who have installed aftermarket wishbones had similar issues or used different wishbones! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted November 6, 2020 Report Share Posted November 6, 2020 17 hours ago, NonMember said: However, once you're driving, enthusiatically, and you crest a hill, the suspension will droop and the contact will be made again, this time as an impact. That's what I meant about getting the car on the road and testing there. If you adjust now with no engine and no bonnet weight, or even a rad full of coolant, it will be over-adjusted once the car hits the road. I wouldn't adjust (unless absolutely necessary at this point) until the car has obtained the full weight of ancillaries and equipment. This has however highlighted one of the problems of the adjustable wishbones; the tubular construction is broader than the original top wishbone arms so they can make contact with the spring at full droop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozentas Posted November 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2020 Of course it might help if I were to fit the spring seats the right way instead of upside down................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted November 10, 2020 Report Share Posted November 10, 2020 On 09/11/2020 at 17:02, rozentas said: Of course it might help if I were to fit the spring seats the right way instead of upside down................... Lol! Glad you pointed that out, I had to study for a while until I realised... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozentas Posted November 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 I have taken apart the rear leaf spring for refurb. There are no dimples for the Teflon buttons at the end of each leaf. Should all Spitfire models have these fitted on the spring? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozentas Posted November 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted November 21, 2020 Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 Have you checked the underside? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozentas Posted November 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 Yes no dimples either side, I notice your pic shows tapered ends mine are straight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozentas Posted November 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2020 Should I put the buttons on W before painting or after? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozentas Posted December 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 Need to pull the rear hubs off. Does anyone near Aylesbury have one of those hub pullers which fit over the 4 studs that I can hire for a day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted December 2, 2020 Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 On 21/11/2020 at 20:53, rozentas said: Should I put the buttons on W before painting or after? I put them on after. I also wrap the spring in Denso plumbers tape, grease-impregnated tape which may help stiffen the spring a bit but certainly stops moisture getting in between the leaves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozentas Posted December 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 Do you think the buttons stay in place if the spring has no dimples, if I wrap it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozentas Posted December 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 4 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said: I put them on after. I also wrap the spring in Denso plumbers tape, grease-impregnated tape which may help stiffen the spring a bit but certainly stops moisture getting in between the leaves. What glue do you use to hold the buttons in place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted December 2, 2020 Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 No glue; just press them into the leaf and the next leaf holds them in place. It can be a bit of a juggle but in the finished spring where all is tightened they'll stay in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozentas Posted December 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2020 I have a propshaft with the can at the end covering the cv joint. Is it worth trying to get inside to grease the joint or should I leave well alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted December 15, 2020 Report Share Posted December 15, 2020 I would leave it alone. If you damage the gaiter you will be stuffed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimpus Posted December 15, 2020 Report Share Posted December 15, 2020 Leave it alone. Dont think its serviceble. Or buy a new prop with UJ's on each end Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted December 15, 2020 Report Share Posted December 15, 2020 yes agree thats a sort of Pot /CV unit its not really serviceable or repairable as a DIY job no service parts are listed anywhere normal pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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