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Leaf springs

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 6:31 pm
by lesrollins
Is there a correct way to fit leaf springs. I am about to replace my leaf springs due to sagging, the leaf springs have three bands fitted around them two which are close together. When I took the old ones off the car the two bands which are close together were situated near the shackle pin and plate, looking at the diagram in the bulmotif catalogue the two bands close together are situated close to the front pin. So which way do the springs go two bands at the front or two bands at the back and is there a reason for this cheers Les

Re: Leaf springs

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 7:41 pm
by PSL184
I don't believe it matters which way round they go....

Re: Leaf springs

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:06 pm
by bmcecosse
Just make them both the same -probably best as per Bull M .

Re: Leaf springs

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:44 pm
by jonathon
We fit with the two straps in front of the axle, may help with anti tramp as the leaves are more secured than with a single strap

Re: Leaf springs

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:52 pm
by lesrollins
Thanks I will put them on bul m style

Re: Leaf springs

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 9:35 pm
by mike.perry
Different makes of springs have different bands

Re: Leaf springs

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:29 pm
by bmcecosse
Are any of them brass ? :oops:

Re: Leaf springs

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:55 pm
by taupe
Hi

If in doubt read the manual :D

Manual section I.1 'the spring must be replaced with two spring clips forward of the axle'

Incidentally Ive just noticed that the original traveller 7 leaf springs are shown in the parts book without rubber pads on the spring clips. The saloon and tourer had rubbers on both 5 and 7 leaf versions.

Taupe

Re: Leaf springs

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:32 am
by mike.perry
A point to note, early car 7 leaf springs are not the same as traveller 7 leaf springs, the leaves are thinner. Replacing with 5 leaf car springs will give better ride and handling than traveller springs.

Re: Leaf springs

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:50 am
by bmcecosse
But Traveller springs will give much reduced tendency to axle tramp if it's a modified car!

Re: Leaf springs

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 8:34 pm
by lesrollins
I didn,t realise the early cars had 7 leaf springs I thought someone had uprated the ones on mine, but at some point the brakes have been uprated to eight inch drums. Anyway thanks for all the advice its a job for saturday unless it rains.

Re: Leaf springs

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 8:58 pm
by RobMoore
I have 7 leaf traveller springs on my 2dr, is this bad?

Re: Leaf springs

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 10:55 pm
by PSL184
RobMoore wrote:I have 7 leaf traveller springs on my 2dr, is this bad?
Only if you find the ride too harsh. Standard saloon 5 leaf springs will give a softer ride but you will get better handling with Trav 7 leaf ones.

Re: Leaf springs

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 9:21 am
by bmcecosse
7 leaf Trav springs are good - use nothing less!

Re: Leaf springs

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:04 am
by mike.perry
Sorry,I disagree.
Not knowing any better at the time I replaced the flattened 7 leaf springs on my Series MM with 7 leaf traveller springs. The back end tried to overtake the front on every roundabout so I swapped them for 5 eaf springs and no more problems. The ride is also softer.

Re: Leaf springs

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:43 am
by bmcecosse
Seems to work ok on the Traveller - and it's not that much heavier (if any) when unladen........