Leaf Springs

Post by **grahamt7** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 12:57 pm

I see that there appear to be two types.....

Does the 7 (traveller) on fit a 67 saloon, if so is there a point, and in any event, how big a job is it to do?

Thanks,

Graham.

Post by **bigginger** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 1:19 pm

Like I said just now, "yes and no - yes, it'll fit, and no, by 'all' accounts, it's not worth it. Not done it myself - Willie will advise! Oh, and there's at least 3 types - 8 for an LCV..."

Post by **Cam** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 5:14 pm

Yes, they will fit. I have traveller spings on my modified car to 'firm' it up a bit. No real advantage for a standard car though. All the Minor leaf-springs are interchangeable though.

How big a job is it? Well, you have to undo the rear shackle (easy) and the front spring hanger (can be awkward) best bet with that is to order new nuts and bolts, a new pivot pin & locating plate (with nut) and cut the old nuts off as removing then can be a pain if they have rusted. Also, you'll need to remove the axle locating plates and rubber and the U bolts and nuts. Depending on what condition these are in you might have to replace them too.

Post by **aupickup** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:26 pm

van leaf springs will not fit the cars, it is all to do with the front pin

Post by **Willie** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:37 pm

As stated the 7 leaf (early Minors and Travellers) will fit later,
five leaf, cars. The benefit is a reduction in the dreaded 'axle tramp'
which is a Minor failing. The disadvantage is that the ride is harder.
Depends what you want from your car and also depends on wether
you have a tuned or larger engine which will induce more axle tramp.
I personally replaced my original 7 leaf springs for 5 leaf to give a
softer ride and am well satisfied with the result.
(is anyone else finding that blank lines are being inserted into their
posts)???

Post by **bigginger** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:53 pm

aupickup wrote:van leaf springs will not fit the cars, it is all to do with the front pin

I have a VERY vague memory that they can me made to fit - never done it myself, and could well be wrong. It was something to do with fiddling the rubbers, I think

Post by **aupickup** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:55 pm

yes ii suppose you could, the front pin on a van is thicker than the cars, would it be worth the agro ???

Post by **bigginger** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:58 pm

Nope - it was for some customised job, IIRC. They're too hard as it is, unless you're using it as really intended

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 7:42 pm

Traveller springs definitely cut the axle tramp - but don't eliminate it - and by no means can they be described as 'hard' !! Thick EP90 oil in the dampers helps too. And the suspension is still not 'hard'. Certainly not when compared to a Mini with competition dampers!

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 10:41 pm

Traveller springs definitely cut the axle tramp - but don't eliminate it - and by no means can they be described as 'hard' !!

I didn't. Anyone? The discussion about using thicker oil in the dampers has been had many times before on this board. Generally the opinion seems to be that it's not a good idea.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 7:44 pm

Works well for me ! If you haven't tried it, don't knock it. This lad wants to know if these springs will fit (and in the other thread asks about axle tramp) - I have explained the benefits - and how I have done it on my car. Of course there will be other opinions - that's ok. It's a free country!

Post by **Cam** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 8:24 pm

bmcecosse wrote:Works well for me ! If you haven't tried it, don't knock it. This lad wants to know if these springs will fit (and in the other thread asks about axle tramp) - I have explained the benefits - and how I have done it on my car. Of course there will be other opinions - that's ok. It's a free country!

Well it does work for you, however, to give a balanced view, people have experienced sheared bolts due to the extra stresses involved. This is VERY dangerous as if the damper securing bolts are not there then the wheel has no top mounting. It's important to hear both sides of the argument. Just because something 'works' does not mean it's totally safe or recommended. Especially if it's stressing components ouside of their designed limits... So, if someone is wanting to do the same they must be aware of both sides of the argument.

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 12:29 pm

The only reason I mentioned it was that giving advice that I (and others) consider to be dangerous without contradiction or discussion isn't the best way to allow these things to be presented.

Post by **Willie** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 8:32 pm

BMC...the fact that the seven leaf springs give a harder ride than
the later five leaf is inarguable. It obviously depends on your
personal definition of a 'Hard' ride, I prefer the five leafs softer
ride, perhaps you don't have your own teeth left? I have and I
intend to keep them.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:58 pm

Oh the 7 leaf spring will be harder than a 5 leaf - but in real world terms it does not give the car 'hard' suspension !! And yes I have own teeth - but what's that got to do with it anyway ? My Traveller with thick oil and extra tele dampers is like riding on a cloud!
As for the 'sheared bolt' alarmists - I have never had this - and I rallied a Minor for several years (over extremely rough roads) , and now run my road going Traveller - both on thick oil. The bolts must be checked for tightness at the start - since then mine have never even worked loose. The broken bolts will only happen (in my opinion) if the supension is allowed to bottom out on the dampers - then the forces just go off the clock and anything can happen. It's highly unlikely that all 4 bolts are suddenly going to break all together - I would assume there would be warning noises/loose bolts etc - but since it has never happened I don't know ! Some of the extra tele damper kits use these same bolts/bolt holes for the top mounting - i certainly don't fancy that. But hey - everyone to their own - you are right to express your doubts, and now those who are interested in the subject can make their own opinion and decide what to do for themselves.
As a wee digression - has anyone found out what the OTHER 4 bolt holes - beside the normal front damper mounting holes - are for ? Were these used on the Wolseley/Riley versions of the chassis - perhaps with bigger/more robust dampers - or did they just use the same mounts as the Minor ?

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 10:07 pm

It's highly unlikely that all 4 bolts are suddenly going to break all together

Once one has failed, the others won't last long - rather like wheel studs.

As a wee digression - has anyone found out what the OTHER 4 bolt holes - beside the normal front damper mounting holes - are for ? Were these used on the Wolseley/Riley versions of the chassis - perhaps with bigger/more robust dampers - or did they just use the same mounts as the Minor ?

One really useful use is to mount the engine top steady aftermarket kit...

Post by **Packedup** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 10:30 pm

bmcecosse wrote: As a wee digression - has anyone found out what the OTHER 4 bolt holes - beside the normal front damper mounting holes - are for ?

Yep - Confusing me when I take the shockers off and go to refit them. Every time I try and clean up the threads and fit them to the wrong holes...

Post by **Cam** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:38 pm

Yes, the extra bolt holes were for a different spec shock absorber for overseas markets.

I was not aware of any Wolseley/Riley versions of the chassis!

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 12:43 am

Interesting. I don't recall seeing it in any of my books - where did you find the info? I want to know more, like what markets, and what were the design differences

Post by **Cam** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 12:45 am

Which, the chassis versions or the dampers?

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