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<DIV><FONT size=2>I've replaced front and rear springs on both cars at various
times.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>On the counter the new front ones were nearly 1/2" longer than
the stated free height in the manuals, and had different heights! I asked
nicely and the counter chap did select two the same height for me, but said 'it
won't make any difference'. Incidentally on removal the old springs -
given the amount of crusty corrosion almost certainly original with 30
years and 150k on them were also slightly longer than the spec free
height. Despite only tightening the A-arm pivots once the full weight of
the car was on the suspension (!) here was 1/2" difference between the sides
(none before) and the measured height was 1.5" and 2" higher than before, and
looked ridiculous. They settled about 1/2" after going over several of our
local sleeping policemen, but even after 2 years of use were still about 1/2"
higher than they should be for a CB roadster. Ideally with normal loading
the A-arms should be parallel to the road surface.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>As you say some years ago there were very many complaints
about rears being too high, either from over-arching or from simply being too
hard. So much so that they would not compress enough in a fully-equipped
car to get the rear rebound straps fastened without significant extra weight in
the boot. Originally from America (complaints) but then in the UK as
well. Given the size of so many people today I have wondered if it
was deliberate, given that the factory only allowed 150lb/11 stone per
occupant!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I've not had that problem in the UK despite three sets at
various times on two cars, in fact I've had to extend the CB roadster shackles
by 1.25" to control the bottoming and grounding when touring fully laden.
Even so, there is still a curve in the rebound straps with no load in the
car. The V8 is an RB so higher ride-height anyway, and harder springs so I
didn't have that problem, but again I still have a curve in the rebound straps
unladen.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>For some years springs were in short supply when the main
British manufacturer stopped production. Currently CB Springs in the UK
(<A
href="http://www.gbsprings.co.uk/heritage-car-springs/">http://www.gbsprings.co.uk/heritage-car-springs/</A>)
list 'Heritage Car Springs' for most if not all the original OEM types to
original specs. Whether this is with BMHs approval I don't know, but
normally they are pretty hot on misuse of their trade marks.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Incidentally the axle being offset to one side is almost
universal and (apart from one claim I saw) always to the left giving typically a
1/2" narrower gap between tyre and arch on that side compared to the
right. It's not the springs (same offset on mine with three sets) or
misalignment of the mounting points (having carefully measured using lines
dropped to a flat and level surface and measuring the diagonals as well as track
and wheelbase) so can only be original jig alignment of the several panels
between the chassis rails and the outer wings and the shape of those
panels.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>This can result in tyre/arch rubbing on CB cars particularly
with wider tyres, and almost guaranteed with wire-wheel conversion hubs on a
stud-wheel axle. There is some scope for compensating for this by
slackening the U-bolts, giving the body a good hard shove to the left and
holding it there while you retighten. I've got mine pretty-well central
now, but with 175 tyres and a pukka wire wheel axle I still get slight rubbing
of tyres on arches - both now - on enthusiastic cornering fully
laden.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Can't comment on the Moss US springs.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>PaulH.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">Has anyone installed leaf springs recently?
...</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">That brings me to my 72B. I replaced the leaf
springs about 10 years ago....</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>