Section : Suspension

Refitting rear leaf swing spring

Posted By : Ian Southwell, 27-Feb-2004, 06:35pm

• Refitting rear leaf swing spring

  Posted By : Michael Davis, 27-Feb-2004, 08:07pm

  I asked the same questions some time ago on the spitfire board.
  
  To get the bolt through the box I used a big vice, some metal offcuts to make temporary shims to get it to line up, assorted G-clamps and a lot of patience.
  
  Once it's on the car, with the dampers off it should be possible to lift the vertical link (possibly with the aid of a jack) and get the bolt through the spring eye.
  
  I've done the job twice now on my spitfires. I am assuming that your GT6 swing-spring is the same as my 1500 spitfire one, not rotoflex for example.
  
  Mik

  • Refitting rear leaf swing spring

    Posted By : Ian Southwell, 27-Feb-2004, 10:41pm

    Thanks, just found your posts - late GT6 3 is the same arrangement. I shall have another go tomorrow.

    • Refitting rear leaf swing spring

      Posted By : Colin Lindsay, 03-Mar-2004, 08:22pm

      I've never had any problems refitting the rear spring either on my old Spitfire or my late swing spring GT6 or the Mk1 which I converted from the early version. Bolt the entire box assembly to the spring then bolt it tightly to the diff using the four bolts. With the car on axle stands under the chassis to allow the axles to move freely, jack the hub up until the link eye lines up with the spring eye. They will line up no bother at all, if they're slightly stiff put the blade of a heavy screwdriver (as near the width of the bolt as possible) through them and bend about till the screwdriver blade goes right through. Take your bolt and push the screwdriver blade back through and allow the bolt to occuppy the space left by the blade; this way it slides straight in and through the assembly. I've never needed a spring lifter and never damaged the bolt threads. Simple but effective.

• Refitting rear leaf swing spring

  Posted By : James Carruthers, 03-Mar-2004, 08:30pm

  The trick to getting the spring eyes to line up with the vertical link is to only tighten down the diff stud nuts after you've got the eye bolts through. Put the spring on the diff and just do the nuts up to lightly hold it in place - then put the spring eye bolts through - then tighten down the diff stud nuts...
  
  
  James