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TR2/3/3A TR3 Leaf Spring Rebuild - low friction tape?

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PatGalvin

PatGalvin

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Does anyone have first-hand experience with installation of the Ultra-High Molecular Weight (UHMW) low friction tape on leaf springs? Am considering this improvement for my 59 TR3 but would like some feedback as to whether it is worth the hassle and expense of installing this tape versus just disassembly, cleaning, painting, and oiling.

Thanks

Pat
 
I would like to piggyback on this as I am going to try this on mine.

What is the best thickness to get?
 
My 1960 TR3A had a rougher ride over the same roads as my friends TR4. I have new shocks and suspension pieces, so I knew that wasn't the issue. Some people I talked to about my leaf springs said if the car isn't leaning to one side the leaf springs were okay. They were wrong. I took mine off and took the to a shop that specializes in leaf springs for trucks. They took them apart, stripped the paint, cleaned them, repainted them and put Teflon buttons at the end of each leaf spring. They showed me where the ends of some of my leaves were digging into the metal, in other words not moving as they should. Cost was about $160.00 for both springs

The difference in my ride is amazing. It took the harshness out.

The Teflon buttons they use are used in most modern trucks.

Murray
 
That sounds like a good value. The UHMW tape isn't cheap. Between $40 and $70 from Grainger. Thanks for tip
 
Depending on spring width, what about something like this?
 
TR4nut said:
Depending on spring width, what about something like this?
Click to expand...

I see a MG owner gave it a favorable review, wish he would have said something specifically about the ride.
 
I've got one spring with UHMW on the car, the other is ready to go on but I haven't gotten that far yet. I would say it's definitely worth the effort if you already have the springs disassembled for cleaning, since it's pretty trivial at that point.

Too soon to say for sure, obviously, but I am very encouraged by the results so far. There seems to be a lot less vibration coming through the rear suspension than before. However, it does seem that I am bottoming out the rear suspension more easily, so I may need to do something to increase ride height a bit, or perhaps go to stiffer shocks/heavier shock oil.

Come to think of it, I believe I had 30 weight in the TR3A. Maybe I'll just move them over.

BTW, the $50 roll of UHMW from MMC is enough to do two cars. I want to keep my other half, but you might be able to find someone willing to split a roll.

PS, based on advice from TeriAnn Wakeman, I used the .0065" thickness of UHMW.
 
This might work and is very economical

Tr3 spring width is exactly 2 inches
 
Do you have any idea why your springs would be wider? My car was totally original and springs are 2 inches wide.

thanks
 
My mistake ... I just went and measured, and they are only 2" wide. I guess I was hallucinating when I ordered the 3" tape.
 
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