Fitting the plate in to a Spitfire Mk4 rear spring?

[SpitfireGeorge]

Hi Guys,

I am in the process of replacing the rear spring on my Mk3 Spitfire for a new Mk4 swing spring. As you know on the new spring there is a plate which goes through the spring above the bottom most leaf. However I cannot get the new plate in as the whole assembly is too tight also I cannot get a spanner in to remove the centre stud for the same reason. My workshop manual is no use in this matter as it just tells you how to take the spring out and put it back in. Do I need to remove the spring clips or am I missing something?

Cheers,

George

[Pete Lewis]

if the new spring has the  extra third transit clip you need to remove it 

its just to keep it all together for shipment 

so you end up with a loose bottom leaf and just two saddle clamps  one each side 

Pete

[SpitfireGeorge]

Hi Pete,

Looking at the workshop manual again it only shows four clips, not five as mine has currently, with the central one missing. That must be the one you mean.

Thanks for your expert advice as always.

Cheers,

George

[Pete Lewis]

long time since I fitted and   fiddled with my orrible swinger  so yes 4 clamps     not two   youve got it the odd one out gets binned 

on the vitesse you must re route the brake pipes to clear or the spring eye whacks thro' the pipes  

does this also   apply when changing a fixed  to a swinger on a spitfire mk3    ?????  no idea  

Pete

[SpitfireGeorge]

Thanks Pete, I will certainly check that out!

Cheers,

George

[Badwolf]

That one got me as well. Could not figure out why there was an extra clip until Pete put me right. It even fooled the 'pro' garage that fitted it.....very, very badly & dangerously.