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TC Front springs.

Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 11:50 am
by Ray White
I would be interested to know how other TC owners have dealt with their front springs. As we know the rear springs can be taken apart and cleaned/greased but the front ones have formed clamps which prevent them from being stripped down easily. Any attempt at bending back the tabs - even with heat - will weaken them and probably result in breakage...so what do you guys do?

I have noticed rust between the leaves and there seems no way of getting to it without sacrificing the clips and riveting new ones on. I worry that new springs will be as poor quality as the rear ones that I have just fitted. Not only did they need the ends tapering but they came bone dry. If new front springs are also supplied dry I struggle to see how to best lubricate them.

Re: TC Front springs.

Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 12:26 pm
by Steve Simmons
I carefully bent the tabs open on mine, stripped the leaves and painted them all with POR15. On reassembly you can bend the tabs back down but be careful not to squeeze the leaves too much. There is a technique to it but it's been a decade since I did mine so maybe someone else can explain it better than I can.

Re: TC Front springs.

Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 12:39 pm
by stephen stierman
I recall taking mine apart somehow and painting and greasing them also. If I had new springs that came dry, I would turn them on their sides and coat the sides with heavy oil that might seep between the leaves and not worry about it. I don't recall that greasing springs on any of my cars with this type of suspension ever made any difference whatsoever on how it felt on the road. I would suggest that your dampers be in good operating condition and be filled with oil as non working dampers will make a noticeable difference in ride characteristics.

Re: TC Front springs.

Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 12:57 pm
by Ray White
I have just tried bending the tabs (using heat) but one broke off. I guess I will have to make new clips and rivet them on.

Re: TC Front springs.

Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 1:19 pm
by Steve Simmons
I think you only need to bend them enough to slide the leaves out. Not wide open. Stephen makes a good point about lubrication also. I suspect that a car that is driven regularly will not suffer rust between the leaves. But I guess teflon or grease might help the leaves not wear into each other so much.

Re: TC Front springs.

Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 1:21 pm
by Ray White
Steve Simmons wrote:
Sun Nov 03, 2019 1:19 pm
I think you only need to bend them enough to slide the leaves out. Not wide open. Stephen makes a good point about lubrication also. I suspect that a car that is driven regularly will not suffer rust between the leaves. But I guess teflon or grease might help the leaves not wear into each other so much.
My car has not been driven since 1960. Plenty of time for the springs to go rusty!

Re: TC Front springs.

Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 8:13 pm
by Duncan M
For a bit different perspective on preserving leaf springs, see the first article here-- http://ttypes.org/ttt2/?s=leaf+springs&submit=Search

An old hot-rodder trick to keep the grease in and weather out is to wrap the leaf spring assembly in Denso tape. Same effect as a leather gaiter. If you wrap in Denso tape, there is no need for the black paint.

Re: TC Front springs.

Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 8:20 pm
by Steve Simmons
I love the look of leather gaiters but tape always seemed more practical to me. Assuming you can grease and wrap in a way that won't trap moisture in of course...

Re: TC Front springs.

Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 8:28 pm
by Duncan M
Yes, you would only want to wrap them after they were fully greased inside and out.

Re: TC Front springs.

Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 11:26 pm
by jddevel
My contribution is grease attracts dust and grit and surely will only add to spring wear?

Re: TC Front springs.

Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2019 1:56 am
by Ray White
jddevel wrote:
Sun Nov 03, 2019 11:26 pm
My contribution is grease attracts dust and grit and surely will only add to spring wear?
I am sure you have a good point but my submission is that grease - or any lubricant for that matter - is better than none. My springs had red rust between the leaves which sets up such high resistance that they cease to move as intended. There are several consequences not least placing undue strain on the mounting bolts.