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Path: utzoo!watmath!watnot!watmum!tjsmedley
From: tjsmedley@watmum.UUCP (Trevor J. Smedley)
Newsgroups: net.auto.tech
Subject: Re: Triumph Spitfire (really leaf springs)
Message-ID: <352@watmum.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Dec-85 12:19:35 EST
Article-I.D.: watmum.352
Posted: Wed Dec 11 12:19:35 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 12-Dec-85 05:15:58 EST
References: <290@aluxp.UUCP> <177@uw-june>
Reply-To: tjsmedley@watmum.UUCP (Trevor J. Smedley)
Distribution: na
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 40
Summary: 

In article <177@uw-june> pjs@uw-june (Philip J. Schneider) writes:
>
>The entire structure is connected to a single large leaf
>spring.  This spring is likely quite worn, since, as it sags, the rear
>wheels gradually acquire that angle you mentioned.  The only way to fix
>this is to replace the leaf spring.
>
Actually, I once *repaired* both of the leaf springs on a '72 MGB in
an afternoon for about $20.00 (CDN). The procecdure is quite simple;

(1) Get some used leaf springs and take them apart.

(2) Remove and dismantle the springs on the car. (Don't use stands
    under the rear wheels or axle to support the car :-)

(3) Reconstruct new springs using the best of the parts, and one
    *additional* leaf per spring.

The main problem in my case was that two or three of the leaves were
broken, including at least one main leaf. The clearance under the 
rocker panels was increased from about 6cm to more like 15-20cm.

The price breakdown was as follows;

Used springs     - $10.00 (from a friend so this is probably low)
New U-bolts      -  $5.00 (old ones will be too short and/or strip)
New spring clips -  $5.00 (old ones are destroyed dismantling springs)

I don't know if you can do such a thing with a Spitfire, but it's
certainly worth a try.

>(This may cost more than the car is worth, if I know my 
>British auto parts :-) ).  

Whether the old 'B is worth $20.00 or not is another topic
altogether.

Trevor J. Smedley                    University of Waterloo

{decvax,allegra,ihnp4,clyde,utzoo}!watmum!tjsmedley