8 leaf rear springs

[les]

A bit of a query here, I've had a pair of springs hanging up for years now and have just decided to clean them up to use, however on close inspection I find that a couple of leaves have worn where the end of one leaf has dug in. The worn leaf is probably now 2/3rds of it's original thickness in that particular place. I don't know if it's still serviceable. Anyone like to offer their opinion please. The main leaf with the curled ends is fine.

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

There is a spring works in Belfast that can repair leaf or any other type of springs. Stevey recently took the ones from the 54 saloon that hes restoring that were badly cut into along with slightly better another pair and they made up a good set from them both and re-tempered them as well setting them up bout another inch .

A couple of years ago I also had the springs on the lowlight reset as they were almost completely flat, has been a good job and made the car more comfortable to sit in.

Im sure there is a spring works in your area that could look at them and see what they think. Were kind of lucky here as the owner has a traveller and does a specail price for minors!

[les]

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

[bmcecosse]

8 leaf?? For a van??

[les]

I presume because of the carrying ability of vans/pick-ups

[bmcecosse]

Yes - but they won't fit anything but a van......

[les]

Well that's what I want to put them on! Well actually a pick-up.

[PaulTubby]

8 leaf rear springs was fitted to 1969 to 1972 Austin and morris minor vans and pickups... and yes only fit these models as the front spring eye is larger then saloon ones etc....

[bmcecosse]

Ahh right les - had forgotten you had a p-up.....

[ajay]

It's a bad day when you cannot learn something new. Even when you are getting old and doddery. As soon as I read this thread I wandered out to the car-port and counted the springs on Te Ute. There are 8 and I always thought there were only seven like any other self respecting later model Morrie.
However as this ute will be a bit of a show-pony and not for carrying loads do I need all of them for general driving? Two people at best and a fairly light deck will not be very much weight so it may be a bit bouncy

Allan

[les]

I thought travellers had 7. We'll have to wait for owners to respond.

[ajay]

Even more strange. I have two travellers that have been wrecked and one (a 4.2 diff) has 7 leaf springs and the other (4.5 diff) has an 8 leaf setup. No idea of the history of either as I just purchased them for parts for my project ute.

Allan

[bmcecosse]

8 leaf Trav has either had a set of Van springs adapted to fit - or had an extra leaf added. Actually - I thought Van springs were 9 leaf......

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Yes travelers always had 7 leaf, saloons up until about 1958 also had a thinner 7 leaf spring fitted and then it was changed to the 5 leaf set up. Ive just fitted a pair of second hand traveller springs I was given to my 63 saloon, I did remove one leaf so I will see what its like on the road - hopefully not to bouncy! Ill let you know.

[bmcecosse]

If bouncy - fill the dampers with SAE 40 oil........

[PaulTubby]

8 leaf Trav has either had a set of Van springs adapted to fit - or had an extra leaf added. Actually - I thought Van springs were 9 leaf......

No van springs was ever 9 leaf Roy....

[M25VAN]

5/6cwt vans had 8 leaves and 8cwt vans had 7 leaves according to BMC parts catalogue. I think the 7 leaves were slightly thicker.

[bmcecosse]

I learn something new every day.....