New springs for old !

[phillpot]

Well not exactly...... would anyone, preferably reasonably local to me (Redditch), who has upgraded have their old original shocks 'n springs still lying around? Only need the springs but I can split if you don't have spring compressor etc.

My Taimar is a bit soft but when I put my old S springs on (noticeably thicker coils) it's now far too firm, maybe they weren't standard ? Taimar is perhaps a bit lighter than S so thought some standard S springs might be about right but would be handy to play around with some second hand stuff rather than buy new and find I've guessed wrong and still too soft/hard.


Is there a simple (I've got to be able to do it) way to measure spring rates





ETA... anyone good at sums

Edited by phillpot on Wednesday 12th August 20:26

[glenrobbo]

A response has been initiated using the extraordinary power of electronic messaging.

[Ragtop]

Hello Mike,

I have three spare pairs:
300lb/in x 9"
375lb/in x 8"
450lb/in x 7"

All 2.25" ID, ie Gaz/Nitron size.

None of these are stainless however...

You're welcome to any/all, posted tomorrow at your cost, or free next month at Eurotour.

Spring rate calculators that do it for you abound on the interweb - just be careful with wire diameter - a small error (like powder coat) can make a big difference.

Have fun,
Graham

[magpies]

I believe(may be wrong) that the original springs would have been raising rate - anyone 'upgrading would have fixed rate springs. I may have the original ? Spax ones somewhere, but not sure if even they were 'original' would need to find someone going to Blenheim or similar from the northeast to bring em down

[v8s4me]

magpies said:

I believe(may be wrong) that the original springs would have been raising rate ....

They are. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[BillC99]

I have a full set if they are any good to you.

[Smokey Boyer]

if anyone around Leicester can help with the springs, I can take the bits with me to the Wellesbourne breakfast meeting.

[phillpot]

Ragtop said:

Hello Mike,I have three spare pairs:300lb/in x 9"

Hi Graham, do you have the number of coils and wire diameter for these please?


Thanks everyone else for your offers, got some measuring to do and will get back to you ...... not sure when, computer seems to be having a "bad day" !

[Ragtop]

8 active coils
wire diameter 11.00mm (including paint)
Spring ID 58.3mm

For these dimensions, the theoretical spring rate is around 325 lb/in, but a true wire diameter of 10.8mm would give 300 lb/in.

HTH
G

[phillpot]

Ragtop said:

HTH
G

certainly does!

"My" calculator (linked to in first post) comes out at 295 lbs/inch using 10.8 , near as damn it for me!

Original Taimar springs are 3/8" dia and work out at 150 lbs/inch.... could be why the S springs seem a little stiff


guess next job (now I know calculation works) is to jack it up and measure what I've put on. Unfortunately battery has gone flat in my digital vernier but should be able to get a "rough measurement" to give me some idea.


What puzzles me a bit is why two similar size and weight cars have such different spring rates?


Back again, batteries ordered.

Springs I put on the T all "looked" the same and two I didn't fit are thicker so I reckon I've got all rears on at the moment. Ones I didn't fit calculate out at 425 so allowing for current inaccurate measuring facilities could be 400/425/450?

So, if anyone is still bothering to follow this I reckon I want 300 max. maybe 250.

Graham, could you get yours in the post and I'll settle up with you?

Edited by phillpot on Thursday 13th August 19:32

[phillpot]

Hi Adrian, car came to me with Avo's, spring seats and adjusters all seized. Now has Gaz shocks with springs off the Avo's, so I doubt they are original.

Even allowing for some error in my calculations they seen a bit soft?

[magpies]

The angle of the shocker makes a BIG difference on (Vertical) actual spring rate.

[phillpot]

Adrian@ said:

I have not looked at Gaz in a while...does the front shock body clear the front lower wishbone under droop?

By a "mile"

Adrian@ said:

In regards of the S rear, the lever effect of the trailing arm defines a different rating to an M as it is not just about carrying the weight.Adrian@

Yep, that makes sense.




I've fitted Grahams 300's on the rear and a pair of 250 for the front. Only time for a quick whizz round the block today but feeling a lot better.