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Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 7:04 pm
by nik1
Hello,

One of my rear leaf springs has rusted and snapped. How easy is it to buy and replace them myself? What tools would I need?
And which ones should I buy and what else that goes with them like bolts or pads?

https://www.tickover.co.uk/shop/content ... /p211.html
or
http://www.burtonpower.com/leaf-spring- ... r3900.html


Thank you

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 7:37 pm
by Andrew 2.8i
Hi,
It's fairly easy to replace the springs yourself as long as your reasonably mechanically competent.
The only special tool that is needed is an offset ring spanner for the front eye bolts. It's an imperial size, but forget the exact size required, sorry. I'm sure that somebody on here will know the size. Other than that, a basic socket set, some spanners and a torque wrench are all the tools that are required.

Burton used to, and might still do, source their springs from Owen Springs. It might be cheaper to buy direct.
http://www.owensprings.co.uk/

Andrew.

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 7:27 am
by pbar
Good info from Andrew there as regards to suppliers, I wasn't aware of that. I can't help you much, but as regards to the ride height I changed my coil springs and they were absolutely spot on for standard height, I too was worried by there being a difference. They were made by Kilen, who also make the leaf springs -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KILEN-622000 ... SwO7haGWYn

So personally, I do have faith in that company but have no experience with the leaf springs from them though. If you have time I would definitely wait to get more responses on here from people who have changed theirs, the info will be invaluable to you.

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 7:58 am
by nik1
pbar wrote:Good info from Andrew there as regards to suppliers, I wasn't aware of that. I can't help you much, but as regards to the ride height I changed my coil springs and they were absolutely spot on for standard height, I too was worried by there being a difference. They were made by Kilen, who also make the leaf springs -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KILEN-622000 ... SwO7haGWYn

So personally, I do have faith in that company but have no experience with the leaf springs from them though. If you have time I would definitely wait to get more responses on here from people who have changed theirs, the info will be invaluable to you.
Thank you both, that's some great info.
The back has being lowered by 1 inch. How would this complicate things?

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 8:04 am
by Andrew 2.8i
nik1 wrote:The back has being lowered by 1 inch. How would this complicate things?
It doesn't make changing the springs any more difficult. Although you may find that once the car is reassembled and lowered to the ground, that the new springs increase the ride height slightly.

Andrew.

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 1:46 pm
by D366Y
Changing the springs can be relatively easy, mine was a massive ball-ache as they were the originals and rusted to buggery!

The other thing I would say is that I had multi leaf springs on my laser originally, they broke, so replaced them with multi springs again to keep with the originality and they broke again a few years later (given that at the time I lived on a private un-made road so was a little bumpy) but after that I fitted single leaf springs which have had the same kind of abuse and seem to have survived much better so if you have multi springs I would say just go for singles...

Cheers
Danny

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 2:50 pm
by nik1
Thanks for the help guys.

Are these the only u-bolts I need?
https://www.tickover.co.uk/shop/content ... /p626.html

And the capri laser page suggests a 7/8" 'recessed' ring spanner (90° bend at the end of the handle).

So the spanner, leaf springs, u-bolts and I'm ready to go?

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 5:46 pm
by Not_Anumber
If you can get single leaf springs for a similar price to multis I would say go for them. They became the standard fit on later capris and are fully compatible, just better. Changing to single leaf springs seems to be popular everywhere except in the US -there were no standard spec Capris sold there with single leaf springs so it just doesnt occur to them as the way to go.

This is the information I was given by other forum members when I fitted new springs.

Tools: 7/8 ths or 22mm offset ring spanner. 19mm ring spanner. 13mm Spanner. 19mm, 17mm, 5/8ths or 16mm & 13mm sockets.

(actually imperial but these are nearest metric sizes)


Parts;

Replacement rear shackles - the originals have a tendency to shear if they are being at all awkward

Replacement U-bolts - standard Ford items - do not be tempted by the likes of Grayston or rubbish ones

Front bolt - if it will not rotate - jammed into the bush (likey)

WD40 or Plus Gas.

Copper grease for reassembly

--


When you change the springs, it could be an idea to adjust the anti-roll bar .. it does help.

--

jack up the car body as high as it goes and support the body allowing the suspension to drop free. but be prepared to support the axle in place when the springs are removed !

Spray every fixing in WD40 (or suitable alternative)

1/ loosen the 4x 1/2" nuts securing the rear shackles, but leave them in place loose.

2/ loosen the 4x3/4" nuts securing the axle U-bolts ... but leave them in place loose

3/ loosen the 2 front spring bolts - note that the nuts are inside the sills, you have to use a swan neck ring spanner but may be able to use a 1/2"drive socket and T-bar with removable head ..

loosen the nut a wee bit first, then unwind the bolt using a ratchet, holding the nut with the socket... if the bolt refuses to spin out, leaving the spring bush, and the nut in place - problem ..


Instructions in case front bolt is jammed
1/ cut the spring thru about 6 inches from the retainer
2/ rotate the dod of spring as far down as it will go to expose the section around the bush - cut thru that - grinder or welding torch, remove the bits of spring, cut into the springbush shell, burn off the rubber, split the inner steel tube - and then remove the bolt !! THAT is usually the worst case scenario problem when replacing the rear springs - it can be a total BITCH but it can be done

------
Reassembly

Clean up the nuts and bolts and apply copper grease to the length of the bolt. This will prevent seizing problems in the future.
The new spring should be attached front and rear first. At the moment, don't bother tightening up the bolts fully.

Re-attach the centre of the spring to the axle. Put the trolley jack under the front part of the spring and slowly raise the spring upwards. Make sure that you have fitted the metal and rubber parts from the old spring.
To help with the fitting, cover the topmost rubber pad with some copper grease. You may have to tug on the axle a bit to get it aligned, but eventually you should be able to jack the spring into place ready for clamping. Attach the new U-bolts (copper grease on the threads) through the lower clamp plate and fix the 4 nuts on. Tighten them up slowly in sequence making sure that the same amount of thread is visible on each. Eventually you can torque them to 20 pounds foot (repeat several times until all 4 are properly torqued). This is not the final torque setting that should be done at the end with the car on the ground

Torque:
Once the other side is finished you can attach the road wheels and lower the car down. All the bolts should now be tightened and torqued to the correct level with the car resting on the ground (Rear = 9 pounds foot, front = 28 pounds foot & spring U-bolts = 25 pounds foot)

:goodluck:

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2018 11:45 am
by nigecapri
If you fit Single Leaves then do not use the rubber pad between spring and axle saddle. That is ONLY for multi-leaves.
Single leaves are better and are easier to fit an axle location kit to. Best mod ever for any Capri.

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 1:14 pm
by nik1
Not_Anumber wrote:

Parts;

Replacement rear shackles - the originals have a tendency to shear if they are being at all awkward

Replacement U-bolts - standard Ford items - do not be tempted by the likes of Grayston or rubbish ones

Front bolt - if it will not rotate - jammed into the bush (likey)

WD40 or Plus Gas.

Copper grease for reassembly
Thanks a lot for your comment!

Could you help me find the replacement rear shackles and front bolts on the tickover website please? And how many would I need?
http://www.tickover.co.uk
or on burton power, if these single springs are what I need for my mk2 (2l pinto)? http://www.burtonpower.com/leaf-spring- ... or028.html

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 2:18 pm
by pbar
Interestingly, that pic from Burton shows multi leaf springs. And mentions so in the description too. Personally I'd stick with multi if that's what came off or if it's what they should be, and I believe that they are.

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 4:44 pm
by Andrew 2.8i
nik1 wrote:Could you help me find the replacement rear shackles and front bolts on the tickover website please?
Hi,
I can't see them on the tickover site, but CCI have them.
http://capriclub.co.uk/suspension-handl ... e-bolt-new
http://capriclub.co.uk/suspension-handl ... hackle-set

You need a pair of each.

Andrew.

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 2:01 pm
by nik1
The bolts don't really have any dimensions on them. Could anybody confirm if the ones on Burton power are the same as on the capriclub shop? Thinking of buying everything from there. And their shackles are not rated for capris... any ideas?

http://www.burtonpower.com/front-leaf-s ... -lsb2.html
http://www.burtonpower.com/spring-shack ... mp221.html
http://www.burtonpower.com/spring-shack ... mp222.html

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 3:08 pm
by Paul G
If I wanted shackles and u - bolts etc I would ring Martin at Capri Gear or one of the other parts suppliers and see if they've got a good set of used genuine Ford parts.

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 4:00 pm
by Andrew 2.8i
nik1 wrote:And their shackles are not rated for capris... any ideas?
There's a reason why the shackles aren't listed as fitting the Capri.....
It's because the Escort springs are a different size to Capri items, therefore the shackles will also be a different size.

Andrew.

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 4:19 pm
by sheff
Andrew 2.8i wrote:
nik1 wrote:And their shackles are not rated for capris... any ideas?
That's because the Escort springs are a different size to Capri items, so the shackles will also be a different size.

Andrew.
Mk2 Escort springs are wider than the Capri, so the shackles won't fit.
Mk1 Escort springs are the same width as the Capri, so you should be ok with the Escort Mk1 shackles. Burtons should be able to confirm this before you buy if you phone them.

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 4:22 pm
by Andrew 2.8i
sheff wrote:Mk1 Escort springs are the same width as the Capri, so you should be ok with the Escort Mk1 shackles.
Nice one Neil! I stand corrected.

Andrew.

Re: Leaf spring snapped

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2018 12:27 pm
by Will01
There is also a company called Stafford Vehicle Components than can source leaf springs, but i enquired with them about de-cambered springs for my Cpari and you can request this for additional charge and they will make them suitable for different height by flattening them out ;)