Morris Minor Owners Club

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.

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.

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

Possibly but it may also alter the friction coefficient.

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.

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.

hello ian

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

7 leaf springs certainly help to cut down axle tramping.