When you say *measuring from the bench to the base of the mounting block*,
I'm assuming its sitting on the bench with the arch upward and measuring to
the bottom of the spring pack where it mounts to the diff. I've also heard
of putting thin teflon strips between the ends of the leaves to reduce
friction.
MikeC
>Mike,
>The spitfire competition manual suggests that you de-arch the rear spring
to
>one inch in height when the spring is on the workbench, measuring from the
>bench to the base of the mounting block. This will really drop the rear of
>your car.
>I just installed a used spring in the rear, which was about 2.75 inches in
>height. This dropped the rear to a more acceptable height and really
helped
>with the rear end jacking. I think I will remove it soon and have it
>de-arched to about 1.75 inches, giving me the ideal height according to me.
>The competition manual also suggests cutting off the ends of the second
>spring where it meets the ends of the first spring to prevent binding.
This
>is important once you look at it. You should also grind the points where
>the leaves touch each other and lube well to ensure smooth suspension
>action. You can take this as far as you like, but all of this should not
>cost very much to do, I don't suggest arching springs on your own.
>
>
>As for altering the mounting point, I think this is very feasible. You
>would need a very solid block to raise the mount and grade8 hardwear, but I
>strongly considered it recently.
>
>A great trick is to lose those double threaded mounting bolt and install
>regular grade8 bolts of appropriate length. Greatly, greatly simplified
the
>mounting process.
>
>Also, someone just posted about making the tool to raise the rear spring
>while installing/un-installing the spring. I have found that the four foot
>yellow handle from my jack, inserted at the proper angle, did this job
well,
>with no need for fabrication.
>
>jim libecco
>jfl@neoucom.edu
>76 spit 1500 FSP
>
>>Date: Thu, 2 Mar 2000 20:08:13 -0700
>From: "MikeC" <mikech@sprynet.com>
>Subject: springs
>
>>Thanks to all who gave me advice on the front springs. I haven't decided
>what I'm going to do yet.
>Now I've got a question of the rear.
>
>>The rear of my Spitfire sits pretty high, higher than the front is
>currently
>sitting. Its high enough that I can see quite a bit of positive camber in
>the rear wheels. Is there any way to lower it slightly, other than putting
>extra weight in the trunk? The spring is old and crusty, so I would have
>though it would be sagging by now. Is it possible to put a spacer on top of
>the diff, where the spring mounts, so the spring is mounted higher in
>relation to the body? How do people lower the rear in a competition car?
>Thanks
>MikeC
>
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