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3000 [not BJ8] Rear Springs - too stiff - why?

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bigsixer

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I have a 64 BJ7 with the same rear spring assembly as all non BJ8 3000's. I bought new springs a couple years ago hoping I would get a reasonable ride. My other new springs were installed 10 years prior.

Unfortnately the new set is still horribly rough. New shocks, bushings etc. I thought I'd have to live with this as part of owning a healey, but last week I rode in a friend's 1962 Healey to Lyme Rock, 2 hrs each way, and it was absolutely comfortable. I was pleasantly shocked.

I heard that some of the new springs being sold from the UK, Moss and others are too stiff, while others are just right. Mine are horrible.

Can anyone confirm this - that some springs are too stiff? Or is there another bugaboo that I'm missing.

Ryan
1964 BJ7
 
Hi Ryan,
Welcome to the Forum. I bought a pair of springs from Moss maybe 6 years ago for my BJ8 that were too stiff. Through suggestions here, I experimented taking different leafs out until I had some kind of travel. So there is one confirmation for you.
 
Ryan
I have a 1960 BN-7, not quite the springs that you have, but.... Mine were way too stiff, no compliance at all. I ended up taking a leaf out, much better. As these spings sag a bit I'll add this leaf back in. PS I bought mine from British Victoria.
 
thanks. I bought mine at sports & classics.
Which leaf did you take out?
Was it difficult? I've done most of my car and I'm not afraid of time, but wonder if it requred bending the spring keepers or anything like that.
 
bigsixer said:
thanks. I bought mine at sports & classics.
Which leaf did you take out?
Click to expand...
<span style="color: #33CCFF">2nd from bottom</span>
bigsixer said:
Was it difficult?
Click to expand...
<span style="color: #33CCFF">No, about an hour to do both sides. But that was with new(non-rusted or seized) parts.</span>
bigsixer said:
but wonder if it requred bending the spring keepers or anything like that.
Click to expand...
<span style="color: #33CCFF">Yes, I had to on mine.</span>
 
Very interesting topic

I have a 1961 BT7 that the springs also seem way to hard. If you push on the back of the car there is no up and down movement. Is there a new source for better springs?

Mark
 
I took my brand-new Daur springs apart and installed high-pressure teflon tape between the leaves--when they come they are all stuck together with paint. That's why the originals have zinc interleaves.

A friend used 2" wide teflon window glide material between his leaves.

FWIW--I bought the tape from Annapolis Performance Sailing.
 
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