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Leaf springs - where to source
Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 11:23 am
by Lecozens
Hi All,
Question - what happens when you take a corner to fast on 45 year old suspension?
Answer - anyone know where I can pick up a rear leaf spring for a '74 saloon.... I've tried some minor garages but they only have 5 leafs and nothing on ebay
Based in the west midlands if it helps.
Lewis
Re: Leaf springs - where to source
Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 12:18 pm
by PHUQ
He hasn't had any on for a while, but this chap
eBay Seller brs12369 has had a few sets on eBay- I think he works for a spring supplier and they make them to order. You'll want to replace both obviously... Drop him a line, I bought some off of him a year ago and I know a few other members have too, he was very helpful (chap called Bill if I remember rightly).
You might find they sit much higher than standard as supplied so it'd be worth asking him to decamber them- costs a bit more but still very reasonable I think.
Re: Leaf springs - where to source
Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 2:37 pm
by midget
On this subject---whilst working on my mk3 project, I discovered that a previous owner has fitted huge (70mm) lowering blocks to the rear springs.
When I removed them the suspension is way too high. Are these springs not marina ones, or is this what is implied from the above post please?
The front suspension is also very low, and I think that it would have been deliberately lowered to match the "modded" rear. I do have a pair of Ital springs to fit, and will compare them side by side with the ones fitted.
Re: Leaf springs - where to source
Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 3:23 pm
by IVOR DENNEY
try JONES SPRINGS engineering ltd WEDNESBURY 01215687575 they can even uprate the springs if needed
Re: Leaf springs - where to source
Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 5:07 pm
by MarinaCoupe
midget wrote: Tue May 29, 2018 2:37 pm
On this subject---whilst working on my mk3 project, I discovered that a previous owner has fitted huge (70mm) lowering blocks to the rear springs.
When I removed them the suspension is way too high. Are these springs not marina ones, or is this what is implied from the above post please?
The front suspension is also very low, and I think that it would have been deliberately lowered to match the "modded" rear. I do have a pair of Ital springs to fit, and will compare them side by side with the ones fitted.
If the rear springs are 4 or 6 leaf springs, then they are Estate or heavy duty Van/Pickup springs. They are cambered much higher to compensate for the heavier carrying capacity. If they are used on a Saloon or Coupe, then they sit the rear up way high, so people fit big lowering blocks.
Re: Leaf springs - where to source
Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 5:38 pm
by midget
Agreed Chris, but these have just 2 leaves. That would have been a sensible solution to spot (even for me!) Am I correct in thinking that Ital springs are the same as Marinas? Can't compare at the mo--just taken Mk3 to paint shop.
Re: Leaf springs - where to source
Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 6:40 pm
by Morris McKinnon
I bought new springs for my old red saloon a couple of years ago and they were two leaf but made the car sit way high. The springs were just thicker than the originals so I had use mk1 Escort lowering blocks to get the car to sit right.
Re: Leaf springs - where to source
Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 7:59 pm
by IVOR DENNEY
LEE my name is IVOR if you give me a ring on 01785/211990 I can give you more info on the springs as I have dealt with them in the past
Re: Leaf springs - where to source
Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 11:33 am
by Lecozens
Thanks Ivor, I'll try and get hold of you one evening this week.
Ebay has turned up trumps, so thanks for the advise Matt.
Quick one, I've read previous threads on U bolts, am I right in thinking the bolts for a Minor are the right ones?
Re: Leaf springs - where to source
Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 12:11 pm
by PHUQ
Lecozens wrote: Wed May 30, 2018 11:33 am
Thanks Ivor, I'll try and get hold of you one evening this week.
Ebay has turned up trumps, so thanks for the advise Matt.
Quick one, I've read previous threads on U bolts, am I right in thinking the bolts for a Minor are the right ones?
I've a feeling it might well be the same company supplying the ones on eBay to the one Ivor recommended- there's two big spring manufacturers in the West Mids and I can't remember which one it is that advertises on eBay!
I'm sure other people have said to use Minor ones but I couldn't get the ones I bought to work, too tight a radius U from memory. I ended up buying Mk2 Escort ones and drilling out the spring plates to suit (they are a bigger diameter bolt but otherwise a good fit).