leaf springs

Post by **davidmiles** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:38 pm

These leaf springs have a covering of light rust, since the chassis rusted clear away, the springs have had nothing bearing any weight or pressure on them for some time, with replacement U bolts and mountings, does anyone think I'm wrong to try to restore the original leaf springs?<br>

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Post by **Mogwai** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:11 pm

the springs may clean up ok if the leaves haven't worn into each other
looking at your picture one other thing to check is the axle casing around the spring mounts as they can rot through

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:28 pm

also check for any cracks in the springs, other than that they should be ok

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:53 pm

They will be fine. Tele damper looks a bit worse for wear though!

Post by **kennatt** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:03 am

impossible to say untill they are on the car under load,could by ok could be sagging and done for. If I was doing a rebuild for the cost of the springs about £ 30 each I would change them But your call Certainly wouldn't want to fit them and then have to take them off again.You're probably going to have to buy a new fitting kit and u bolts they look done for.

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:54 am

i would fit the original ones first

it is not a difficult or time consuming job to put new ones on later

repro is not as good as original even on springs

springs last a good few years

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:20 am

It's obviously an LCV - but I only see 7 leaves (Traveller springs) - I though the LCV had 8 (or maybe 9) leaves ?

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:24 am

nope

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:08 pm

Sure ??

Post by **Rasputin** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:37 pm

My LCV has 8 leaves.

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:38 pm

aupickup wrote:i would fit the original ones first

it is not a difficult or time consuming job to put new ones on later

repro is not as good as original even on springs

springs last a good few years

I agree with those sentiments, once you have freed the fixings off they will come out easily again if needed in the near future.
Only bit I'm not so sure of is your last comment re life of new springs

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:41 pm

Thank you Ras!!

Post by **d_harris** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:43 pm

I believe there were 2 types of LCV spring depending on how the van was rated.

I've also heard the LCV springs have a different eye arrangement

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:48 pm

i meant nope not 9

the 8cwt used the same number of leafs only thicker

the bush holes are a different size at the front as well

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:51 pm

and the pic does show 8

there is the very short one by the axle,

Post by **d_harris** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:58 pm

aupickup wrote: the 8cwt used the same number of leafs only thicker

Thanks AU. Every day is a schoolday!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:56 pm

It must be so short - it's pretending to be the U bolt platform !!

Post by **aupickup** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:29 pm

bmcecosse wrote:It must be so short - it's pretending to be the U bolt platform !!

yes that is right it is a very short one
when new leaf springs are bought you still need this one from the original springs

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:32 pm

Are you sure it really IS a spring leaf then - not just a mounting plate ?

Post by **aupickup** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:11 pm

its classed as a spring really