Rear Springs.

Post by **wanderinstar** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 7:52 pm

The old springs I took off last month have significant wear on the bottom of the leaves, I think this is caused by the leaf below having a sharp edge, which as the leaves rub together scrapes away the bottom of the leaf above.
At the moment I have a secondhand pair on, but defo need a new pair. The question is could I strip new springs down and grind a radius on the top of each leaf. If I can why dont manufacturers do this in first place?
Ian.

Post by **Willie** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 7:56 pm

This is where all leaf springs wear as a matter of course. It should take many
thousands of miles before this becomes a problem and do NOT oil the springs
either as this ruins the designed friction values.

Post by **wanderinstar** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 7:58 pm

But if I grind a radius on top of leaves won't this stop it happening at all.
Ian.

Post by **Willie** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 8:11 pm

Possibly but it may also alter the friction coefficient.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:32 pm

Some cars had the leaves 'interleaved' (hence the expression !) with anti-wear strips (often hard rubber) and the whole lot lubricated and wound up with a protective cover. But as willie has said - this drops the internal friction - which is what provides much of the damping. You can take the spring apart - and do as you suggest - but I doubt it will make much difference to the eventual life of the springs.

Post by **wanderinstar** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 5:57 am

If I used 7 leaf Traveller springs on my saloon and radiused,greased and wrapped them, do you think that would bring me back to 5 leaf?
Ian.

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 8:28 am

hello ian

i really would not get to obsessed with it.
just fit new springs as they come

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 10:42 pm

7 leaf springs certainly help to cut down axle tramping.