Question regards Quarter Elliptic Rear Springs

[twas_brillig]

What is the collective wisdom on quarter elliptic rear springs?

I pulled ours a few years back and found a couple of broken leaves plus a couple of the 'clamps' holding the leaves together were also broken. I ordered replacement springs and reinstalled. The replacement springs cause the car to sit higher than it should but I haven't got 'round tuit to pull them again and get them re-arched.

- is it possible to replace just one or two broken leaves?
- owners of old Model A Fords apparently have been known to insert teflon between the leaves of their springs; any benefit to doing something similar for a Bug-Eye?
- if the spring is out and going back in, is there any particular lubricants or other products that the springs should be soaked in?

Thanks,

Doug

 

[racingenglishcars]

Leaf springs have problems with rust between the leaves. Under normal operation, the leaves, under pressure, rub together. Any normal paint will wear off quickly and they rust. Rebuilding them with good epoxy paint and putting grease between the leaves should be good enough for most areas. Teflon is overkill.
Replacing a spring leaf or clamp shouldn't be a problem, if you can get them.
I've heard that making a wedge for under the spring mount should do the trick instead of de-arching.
Just my opinions.

 

[jlaird]

Graphite between the leaves works as well.

 

[twas_brillig]

Thanks for the thoughts. Hadn't thought of trying a wedge - any suggestions for building one? And the graphite - same sort of stuff I use in door locks, I presume?
My concern is that corrosion between the spring leaves will increase 'stiction' and make them even less flexible and put even more load on the mounting boxes.

thanks again,

Doug

 

[Hairyone]

Here's someone who makes lowering wedges for the quarter ellitic springs in UK (item 2.9). Of coarse you could make some yourself, but that's alot of fileing.

https://www.petermayengineering.co.uk/catalogue2.htm#catalogue2

 

[Trevor Jessie]

You can get lowering wedges at jegs or summitracing. I bought some that were about 1/2" too wide, but since they were aluminum it only took a minute to saw them down. They were about $15 if my memory serves me correctly.

 

[Glen_B]

After each leaf is cleaned and painted/powder coated, a good dose of graphite spray on each contact surface will make for nice, quiet springs. Grease works too but attracts dirt.

Glen