Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
Forum rules
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
Just done a lot of fettling over the last year, been out to my local garage to get the tracking done and the rear springs are hitting the chassis rail on both sides.
As the photos show it has new springs Poly bushes spring shackles bump stops in fact every bit has been renewed, from EMS (I think). I have checked the measurements the best I can from the photo (F G E) below, without being to precise the measurements are within 1-2 mm of correct.
Don't know why the last photo is upside down!
The question is what else can I try before I make some slightly longer spring hangers.
As the photos show it has new springs Poly bushes spring shackles bump stops in fact every bit has been renewed, from EMS (I think). I have checked the measurements the best I can from the photo (F G E) below, without being to precise the measurements are within 1-2 mm of correct.
Don't know why the last photo is upside down!
The question is what else can I try before I make some slightly longer spring hangers.
1963 4 Door 1098cc
Learn from your parents mistakes use Condoms.
Learn from your parents mistakes use Condoms.
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 471
- Joined: Thu May 11, 2017 8:23 pm
- Location: South Cheshire
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
I had the same trouble 3 months after fitting new springs from my usual supplier. I then ordered new springs from Jones springs; they make them to order. Also, I now have the correct gap between the bump stops and chassis. I did try 25mm longer spring hangers but felt that it became unstable when cornering.
Have a look at your springs, do they look the correct shape just aft of the front hanger or do the leaves have gaps between them?
Have a look at your springs, do they look the correct shape just aft of the front hanger or do the leaves have gaps between them?
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 2766
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:41 am
- MMOC Member: No
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
I think you need to cut away part of the flange of the chassis rail above the end of the spring where you have contact. This was done originally at the factory and you need to replicate this before you do anything else
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
The new look just the same as the old though thay are a couple of mill longer and they have no gapspaul 300358 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 29, 2022 3:30 pm I had the same trouble 3 months after fitting new springs from my usual supplier. I then ordered new springs from Jones springs; they make them to order. Also, I now have the correct gap between the bump stops and chassis. I did try 25mm longer spring hangers but felt that it became unstable when cornering.
Have a look at your springs, do they look the correct shape just aft of the front hanger or do the leaves have gaps between them?
1963 4 Door 1098cc
Learn from your parents mistakes use Condoms.
Learn from your parents mistakes use Condoms.
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
I understand what you say but the old springs didn't hit the chassis rail at all. the new spring hangers are identicle to the old ones.ManyMinors wrote: ↑Sat Oct 29, 2022 5:01 pm I think you need to cut away part of the flange of the chassis rail above the end of the spring where you have contact. This was done originally at the factory and you need to replicate this before you do anything else
1963 4 Door 1098cc
Learn from your parents mistakes use Condoms.
Learn from your parents mistakes use Condoms.
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
Is the arc of the old and new springs the same before fitting. Place a straight edge across the hanging points and measure the arc height at the centre point.
Fit the old spring and measure the arc height. Then fit the new spring and take the same measurement. What do you get?
Fit the old spring and measure the arc height. Then fit the new spring and take the same measurement. What do you get?
-
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 1377
- Joined: Tue Mar 26, 2013 8:20 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, essex
- MMOC Member: No
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
Ours was the same, I made some 1/2" longer side plates for the shackles,.
If the bushes are OK and the body is correct the only issue can be the springs are too long, curvature may effect the static condition but under compression they will all go flat at some point.
If the bushes are OK and the body is correct the only issue can be the springs are too long, curvature may effect the static condition but under compression they will all go flat at some point.
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
Just in from doing as you suggested and there is only a couple of mill difference old to new both off the car and with the weight on the springsPeted7202 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 29, 2022 8:01 pm Is the arc of the old and new springs the same before fitting. Place a straight edge across the hanging points and measure the arc height at the centre point.
Fit the old spring and measure the arc height. Then fit the new spring and take the same measurement. What do you get?
With that in mind I’m going to try making some new spring hangers, I’ll probably ad about 20mm to them and see how the car rides.
I’m reluctant to grind the chassis leg down as it has just been stripped to bare metal etch primed, under coat, stone chipped and top coated, if I can get away with it I will. I cant understand how the old springs didn’t hit the chassis rail!ManyMinors wrote: ↑Sat Oct 29, 2022 5:01 pm I think you need to cut away part of the flange of the chassis rail above the end of the spring where you have contact. This was done originally at the factory and you need to replicate this before you do anything else
1963 4 Door 1098cc
Learn from your parents mistakes use Condoms.
Learn from your parents mistakes use Condoms.
-
- Minor Maniac
- Posts: 10825
- Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:05 pm
- Location: Hampshire
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
In my considered opinion the spring rate is not correct.
It is how the spring has been tempered determines the spring rate.
The new spring can look identical to the original but how it works under deflection is the important aspect.
To determine the new spring rate relative to the original spring - turn the spring upside-down, measure and note the distance between the ground and the top of the spring. Load the top of the spring and measure the deflection downwards.
Repeat several times, each time making notes of the load weight and deflection.
Do the same as above on the old spring, each time making notes of the load weight and deflection.
Compare the notes and see what differences there are.
From the photo above there appears to be a small difference in overall length. That small difference in overall length can have an effect on how quickly the spring eye hits the chassis leg flange especially if the spring rate is lower than the original spring rate.
If the old and new spring rates are not comparable, I would be speaking with the new spring supplier.
Phil
It is how the spring has been tempered determines the spring rate.
The new spring can look identical to the original but how it works under deflection is the important aspect.
To determine the new spring rate relative to the original spring - turn the spring upside-down, measure and note the distance between the ground and the top of the spring. Load the top of the spring and measure the deflection downwards.
Repeat several times, each time making notes of the load weight and deflection.
Do the same as above on the old spring, each time making notes of the load weight and deflection.
Compare the notes and see what differences there are.
From the photo above there appears to be a small difference in overall length. That small difference in overall length can have an effect on how quickly the spring eye hits the chassis leg flange especially if the spring rate is lower than the original spring rate.
If the old and new spring rates are not comparable, I would be speaking with the new spring supplier.
Phil
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
I agree Phil. If the new and original springs when fitted have the same arc height then the difference in length of the new springs will push out the hangers and hence reduce the spring end clearance. Increasing hanger height is not the solution. This is treating the effect not the cause and may have unitendered consequences.
- geoberni
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 3606
- Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:19 am
- Location: North Leicestershire
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
The photo above makes the actual fitting on the end of the spring look a little 'fatter' than the original.
What's the view from the side?
Are the new hanging points a little larger diameter than the original?
What's the view from the side?
Are the new hanging points a little larger diameter than the original?
Basil the 1955 series II
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 471
- Joined: Thu May 11, 2017 8:23 pm
- Location: South Cheshire
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
As I said above, I purchased springs from ESM in May, the same thing happened. After about 3 months, the car sat 25mm lower and the bump stops banged the chassis when going over any uneven road. I suspect that they had never been heat treated. New springs were purchased from Jones Springs, the car now sits at the right hight, has yet to hit the bump stops and is very smooth when going over bumps.Peted7202 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30, 2022 8:48 pm I agree Phil. If the new and original springs when fitted have the same arc height then the difference in length of the new springs will push out the hangers and hence reduce the spring end clearance. Increasing hanger height is not the solution. This is treating the effect not the cause and may have unitendered consequences.
The ESM springs are stored behind the shed awaiting transport to the local recycle centre.
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
If the ESM springs are not fit for purpose I would return for a refund.
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
Many new springs are supplied with pretty poor straps securing the leaves together, maybe an indication to buying, would be to check the springs have the proper metal securing bracket. The top picture is correct, the bottom one, placed on to show how some are supplied !
s.- Attachments
-
- FA823C66-50F4-4F29-AAC0-DFAF99407184.jpeg (97.25 KiB) Viewed 1208 times
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
The internal size is correct maybe it was just the angle I took th photo at
1963 4 Door 1098cc
Learn from your parents mistakes use Condoms.
Learn from your parents mistakes use Condoms.
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
I’ve been on to ESM where I bought the springs from, I actually bought the full kit SUS660A they say that its never happened before so I said I would send them an email with some of the photos I have took and measurements of the old and new springs. I will update when I hear from them.
1963 4 Door 1098cc
Learn from your parents mistakes use Condoms.
Learn from your parents mistakes use Condoms.
-
- Minor Fan
- Posts: 471
- Joined: Thu May 11, 2017 8:23 pm
- Location: South Cheshire
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
The problem comes with return postage, they are heavy. I just decided to put it down to experience. The Jones Spring replacements cost 3 times as much as the ESM ones, but they are made to the original specification.
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
But if they are not right, then the supplier is responsible for return postage (if they actually want them back).
- geoberni
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 3606
- Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:19 am
- Location: North Leicestershire
- MMOC Member: Yes
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
I guessed the internal diameter would be correct in order for the bushes to fit, but like you say, it might be the perspective from the camera angle.
On you latest photo, the older one looks the larger of the two.
Is the metal of the spring the same thickness?
I'd be getting a micrometer, or at least a steel rule, across each of them.
Basil the 1955 series II
Re: Rear Springs Hitting Chassis Rail
There should be a curve in the chassis rail there see pic...
Taupe
Taupe