REAR SPRING LEAVES

[welshrat]

I have been looking into changing my leaf springs from the orginal 5 to 7 (1961 rag top) but have read that the design change from 7 to 5 on convertibles and saloons in Dec.58 included an increase in leaf thickness from 7/32 to 1/4 inch. Not sure now what difference this change would make as the decrease in leaves came with an increse in thickness, is the old 7 leaf spring any different to the thicker 5 leaf? Probably been discussed before but don' want to do this mod if there is no real improvement.[frame][/frame]

[mike.perry]

The Traveller and later car springs have the same thickness leaves 1/4", the Traveller has 7 leaves, the car has 5 leaves. The early seven leaf car springs were thinner leaves 7/32". Fitting the Traveller 7 leaf springs to a car will jack the back end up, raising the centre of gravity and spoiling the handling and giving a firmer ride. Keep your 5 leaf springs .

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Yes I agree with Mike, makes the suspension very 'solid' and sits too high with traveller springs.

[polo2k]

it used to be quite common to wrap the springs in material to help stiffen them up.Might be worth waxoyling them first incase any water gets in there.