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1/4 elliptic spring "base plate" removal

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64rocksprite

64rocksprite

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1/4 elliptic spring "base plate" removal

Hopefully someone has done this..
I have a bad spots in the floor pans near the spring base plates. I dropped the axle, pulled the leaf packs out, the pockets look fine. still have original paint on the bottom!
I see this base plate is welded to spring hanger box.
moss catalog
So #19 is welded to #21

Is there a best way to get this out? I started with a cutting wheel on a 4" grinder, but was nervous that I would eventually cut through the hanger box. Moved to the Dremel..
Are these welds that hold the plate to the hanger box the only ones to cut through?
Appreciate any tips you might have...otherwise its back to the Dremel cuttin' tomorrow. These need to come out so i can determine how bad the rust is underneath that base plate..and joy, I get to do the other one too! (same problem with the brown cancer).

Thanks all.
 
Re: 1/4 elliptic spring "base plate" removal

There are also spot welds (three?) in the middle of the plate.
 
Re: 1/4 elliptic spring "base plate" removal

Thanks Trevor
Did you drill out the spot welds?

Now I'm starting to think I should just patch and when I do a full pan replacement later is the time to deal with this. ugh.
 
Re: 1/4 elliptic spring "base plate" removal

It is certainly one of the larger jobs you will do with regard to suspension rebuild.

You might want to check out my "Spridget Project" at www.raysmg.com ; there you'll find several pages on "Bodywork" and the earlier pages have photo essays on the removal and repair of the rear suspension of my quarter elliptic '62 Sprite.

Doable yes, easy no.

Ray

BEFORE:

P1010008a.jpg



AFTER:

P1010015.jpg
 
Re: 1/4 elliptic spring "base plate" removal

It was hard to find them. I drilled them out (and many other holes too). Then I pried(and chiseled it apart). It was not easy, and the spring plates were trashed when I was finished.
 
Re: 1/4 elliptic spring "base plate" removal

Thanks Trevor and Ray.
I got them both out..BFH and a big chisel..and some patience. Turns out I had the welds cut through just fine. It was the spots (thanks Trevor!!) that were holding it on. Kept working back and forth and whacking the plate from time to time..finally sheared the spot welds. Three on the passenger side..and SIX on the drivers! LOL, must have been a "weld however many you want" assembly line!
I am glad I took the time to remove them..the floor pan was in bad shape above the plate on the pass side, and the driver side sheet metal simply did not exist!! (big hole above plate).
I cannot for the life of me, figure out how just this area got in such poor shape. The pan is rusted only underneath the support channel beam that runs front to back (and as mentioned, under the spring plates).
The pan had slits in the very bottom of the valleys directly below that support channel..I guess to allow drainage, but I wonder if it worked the other way and let water/mud/dirt in and that is how this got so bad? I want to try and correct the water entry point now that I'm fixing it..
Thanks for the input.. Ray- I hadn't been to your site in a while..wow! You have a lot done since I was last there. It is really looking great!
 
Re: 1/4 elliptic spring "base plate" removal

Everytime I update myself at Rays sight I become more impressed with his attention to detail and careful work.
 
Re: 1/4 elliptic spring "base plate" removal

Be sure the spring boxes are in good shape...they're of thick steel and a bit of surface rust is ok, easily cleaned and painted, but make sure the rust doesnt compromise the integrity of the rear suspension.

Anyone with a quarter elliptic car should add a twice yearly (at least) inspection of the rear spring mounts to their maintenance check list. It would be nice to have it up on a rack where you can get up close and personal with a good light, but jackstands and a creeper will suffice.

A skinny screwdriver or putty knife will help in cleaning dirt dobber nests and mud/dirt out of the pockets along with some compressed air. Once cleaned out a shot of a good oil back in there also couldn't hurt.

Ray
 
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