Leon asked about his saggin rear. I think every Spitfire owner knows this
problem. So here is my 2p worth of experience and advice:
First, the swing axel/rotating transverse leaf arrangement will hold to one
side or the other just on account of how the weight was in the car when it
was parked. Someone once advised to roll the car a bit with no one it in and
lift the body a little to see if it will level and hold on its own.
Second, the spring usually does wear. They get weak, as all springs, and
loose the arch somewhat. I find no reason to believe that the arch will
always be lost evenly on both sides, since weight is never evenly
distributed, nor are pot holes evenly placed on the road.
Third, the other parts wear too. Bushings, trunions, rubber pad inside leaf
spring bracket on top of diff. All that stuff. It is hard to tell if any one
part is bad. If the car has any miles on it, there is wear in ALL the parts.
A little here and a little there, and the total adds up.
Fourth, check the bolts that hold the spring to the diff. I kid you not,
when I bought the 79, these bolts were out about 1/4 to 3/8 inch. Properly
torqueing cured much of the problem.
Fifth, a broken top leaf. This is VERY common and causes the most
demonstrable squat. Also, the rest of the spring action is very soft.
Some solutions:
Proper shocks: the rears are supposed to be gas charged with an upward boost
of 35 lbs per side. Some of the cheap auto parts store shocks do not do
this. Pull up on the car with a force of 35 lbs and see how this changes
things!
Replace all rubber parts: busings, rubber pad, etc. Not too hard to do. I
wrote a detailed article on this for TTSCC Tails and Trails about a year ago.
Send me your snail mail address and I can send you a copy of that
newsletter. I still have a few extras left.
Replace top leaf: Even if you determine this is not the obvious problem, it
is a good idea do do anyway. Especially if you have access to another rear
spring. Take the second leaf down from the surplus spring. Cut about 2" off
each end (real hard to do on spring material, so buy lots of hack saw
blades). Use it for the top leaf on the assembly you will reinstall. Raises
and firms up your rear end. Car corners better too.
Last thought, and question: Because of the "X" frame on these cars, is there
any opinion that they can be pernanently twisted by jacking from a corner
instead of raising the entire front or rear at a time?
Brian N
65 Spitfire
79 Spitfire
59 Sprite
63 Consul Capri
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