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Spitfire Spitfire spring. Is this right?

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eejay56

eejay56

Jedi Warrior
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HPIM04301.jpg

Trying to find the source of the noise in my rear end and this doesn't look right to me. It's hard to get a camera in there so I don't know if you can tell but there is a plate at the diff and the leaves go over and through except for the bottom one. It appears to go under it and end at the diff. It's the same on both sides and looks like the bottom leaf is not full length (wheel to wheel) but two pieces extending from wheel to diff. By the way, the axle ujoints appear to be good they look new and seem to be properly installed, the clips are there and well seated.
 
What kind of noise are you getting (steady? rhythmic? other?), and when do you get it (acceleration? deceleration? cornering?)? Unfortunately, I can't see the picture you've included (assuming there is one and my work computer is blocking it), but something does NOT sound right in your description of the rear spring. That bottom leaf, and all the others for that matter, should be one piece their entire length. One or more broken leaves on these "swing springs" are not that uncommon.

Frankly, it's not a horrible job to pull out the spring for close inspection; that might just be worth the effort if it is at all suspect.
 
Yes, it looks right to me.

That bottom leaf does, in fact, go end to end. It is not two half-springs. The bottom leaf fits into a recess in the diff, the steel plate goes on top of that, then the other springs mount on top of that. The square box that fits on top holds it all together.

There are lots of sources of noise in the rear end, as you can guess. If you're talking about squeaks and groans from the spring, you might want to try and get some lubrication in between the spring leaves. The spring itself has a couple of rubber bumpers between the leaves at each end, and also a rubber cushion at the top of the spring where the bracket mounts. These will compress and perish over time. The spring bushings, if they are compressed, also can transmit groans into the chassis via the differential mount.

Try getting the car on jackstands, jack up the vertical link under the spring to relieve pressure and spray some graphite lube in between the leaves. Easy to do, and maybe it will make a difference. Also check the bushings in the spring ends if you can see them (sometimes pretty hard to see).
 
guzzul said:
That bottom leaf does, in fact, go end to end.
Click to expand...
Just saw Andrew's post...I guess if the leaf is broken, it could be two half springs....hadn't thought of that.....but that would be a bad thing....
 
guzzul,
What you describe sounds like what I am seeing so I guess that is OK. I described the problem here https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/u...true#Post268396
Rhythmic tunka noise most noticeable at 10 mph or so with the clutch in. Consensus is ujoints but everything looks OK to my unpracticed eye. How can I verify that the ujoints are bad short of replacing?
Eric
 
Eric - there is a discussion of how to check them in that thread. Unfortunately, it is often pretty difficult to determine if they're bad, because you can't always get the leverage necessary to move the joint. Also, if a needle(s) in the u-j bearing cap is wearing, you will not necessarily be able to determine it in the joint unless you take it apart.

If you search in this forum there is lots of discussion about u-joints. If in doubt, get it into a shop and have them take a look. I know you mention these were replaced last August (prop shaft too?), but that doesn't mean they couldn't go bad. Or possibly the yoke(s) they mount in are worn. These things should have been checked when the joints were replaced, but you never know.

The noise you're describing does not sound like its related to the spring.
 
guzzul said:
The noise you're describing does not sound like its related to the spring.
Click to expand...
Agreed, Ross! I'd be inclined to suspect bearings, particularly wheel bearing or (possibly) u-joints. If a broken spring were to make any particular noise(s), it (they) would likely only occur as you first back up or move forward, where torque and/or weight transfer would alter the spring position.
 
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Try giving the wheel bearings a good greasing and the joints as well, if they have zirks. Hehe, either way I'd guess you'll find you problem lurking in one of the parts below...
100_3614.jpg
 
Sounds like you need new u-joints. I recently replaced my driver's side and while I had the car jacked up I noticed that there was no play at all. There was no way of telling the joint was bad except for the noise. Chances are if you haven't replaced them they probably need replacing.
By the way, there is a way to remove the axle to get at the u-joint without removing the brake line. Just remove all the links and turn the axle flange toward the front and the drum end to the rear, and keep any weight off the line with wood blocks.

Good luck.

Adam.
 
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