[Healeys] 100 Rear Springs

Mon Nov 22 15:37:55 MST 2021

Well, based opon the advice given and a carefully reading ofthe
information on their web page https://britishclassiccarparts.com/ which
includes this statement:  *BCC will only supply springs that comply, as
best possible, with OEM specifications or better *I ordered a pair of BN1
rear springs.
Initially I thought my order had not gone through because despite their
statement that *"Your order confirmation from BCC will include basic
dimensional information on the spring you have ordered allowing you to
check against the springs you are replacing" *I received no confirmation
from BCC that the order had been received and the only way to confirm that
it had indeed been received aws to check my account withdrawals.
These springs are not inexpensive and ended up costing almost 3 times what
they would have cost from one of the usual suspects.
When I finally received the shipment and had an opportunity to examine what
had been supplied I was far from impressed.
This is my email sent to BCC regarding their * "OEM specifications or
better"* product.

*Dear Sirs, *

*We recently received from yourselves a pair of rear leaf springs purchased
for an Austin Healey 100 BN1 which we are restoring to concours level for a
long-time customer.*

*The preamble on your web site states “BCC will only supply springs that
comply, as best possible, with OEM specifications or better.”*

*You also state “Your order confirmation from BCC will include basic
dimensional information on the spring you have ordered allowing you to
check against the springs you are replacing.” We received neither an order
confirmation nor the dimensional information mentioned.*

*The springs that we have received do not come even close to the OEM
specifications for the springs for a BN1.*

*There were 3 types of leaf springs supplied for the BN1. The final design,
fitted after body number C.154647 was arrived at after much experimentation
as many owners experienced difficulties with the rear suspension of these
vehicles.*

*The last type, part number 1B829, had the following specifications:*

*Free length  34.75” *

*Laden length 36”*

*Free camber 3.75”*

*Laden camber 0.25”*

*Deflection 4” @ 490 lbs*

*Number of leaves 8*

*Number of zinc interleaves 3*

*6 rebound clips were used on each spring, 2 open to the top and one, the
outer, open to the bottom.*

*The rebound clips were closed using ¼” UNF countersunk slot screws with
tubular spacers. *

*A special extra-long “toe bolt” head was required to penetrate the fiber
pads and tapered spacers.*

*The springs that you have supplied are absolutely unsuitable for use on
this vehicle and are nothing like OEM specifications.*

*In addition to the above the following are some of the other problems that
we have noticed with your product.*

*1.      Free camber 4.75”*

*2.      No zinc interleaves at all.*

*3.      Metric thread hex head rebound clip screws (threatening the tyre
sidewalls)*

*4.      Short “toe bolt” heads (very dangerous as the axle will be located
by friction alone if these springs were to be installed)*

*5.      Middle rebound clip installed upside down*

*6.      Nothing locating the end rebound clips *

*We have not bothered to install these springs because this would obviously
be a total waste of our time. *

*The cost of these springs £576.27 plus local taxes of $CDN107.20 (£63.01)
for a total of £639.28.*

*We could have purchased Indian made reproduction springs, which we have
used previously and are considerably more accurate aesthetically, from a
local supplier for about 30% of the cost from yourselves but based upon the
claims on your advertising opted to purchase what were reputed to be the
best available.*

*We do not believe that it is unreasonable of us to expect a full refund as
your product does not even come close to being what you advertise.*

*We will be happy to return this defective product to you at your expense.*

*Please advise.*

* Michael Salter*

The answer received from the General Manager of BCC served no useful
purpose and indicated that he should definitely seek a career in politics
when BCC goes under.

*NOT RECOMMENDED*

On Mon., Oct. 25, 2021, 8:09 p.m. John Sims, <ahbn6 at verizon.net> wrote:

> Try britishclassiccarparts.com
>
>
>
> Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
> <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aol-news-email-weather-video/id646100661>
>
> On Monday, October 25, 2021, 8:05 PM, Alan Seigrist via Healeys <
> healeys at autox.team.net> wrote:
>
> Hi Michael -
>
> My experience is to have spring makers in the UK make them up.  There are
> several there, and generally they know what they are doing.
>
> Best,
>
> Alan
>
> On Fri, 22 Oct 2021 at 2:26 AM, Michael Salter <michaelsalter at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> As is so common with "offshore " products I'm having ongoing problems with
> the currently available rear springs, in particular those for the 100.
> It seems that all the usual suspects source these from the same
> manufacturer in India and it is my suspicion that these are made from
> substandard steel.
> Typically leaf springs are made from 5160 steel which is incredibly
> resistant to deformation and fatigue. I don't have facilities to determine
> what steel is used to make these springs but it certainly isn't 5160!!
> Has anyone found a source for rear springs which last more than a few
> years?
>
> M
>
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