Spring plates

[tony109]

When clunking started to occure when pulling away, on investigation I found the rear axel was rolling slightly in its U bolts.. I tightened the U bolts up, but saw the spring plates simply bending.
So it looks as if I'll be making spring plates for the rear axel like I did for the front. Ive not been carrying any real weight in the vehicle, and apart from a bit of flexing the springs off road theres been very light axel loads.
This is where having the springs above the axel has many advantages.. A spring over conversion is a little too drastic so ill simply be making new spring plates for the rear axel. I've already made the front ones, so the rears will be simple..
I'll Use 10 mil plate again, with leading edges to protect the U bolt nuts, as this seems to be an effective remedy.
Heres one of the front spring plates I made and fitted, compared with the state of the original

[biosbill]

Hmm,

Interesting you're posting this. I was suspecting something similar with my 88, im sure that one of the rear drop plates doesnt look straight, though I havent really checked properly. Its running para's, and the spring plates looked fine when I put the springs on a few months ago, I wonder if they've stressed the plates and I might need to be making my own like you I feel!

William

[tony109]

Having the axel above the springs is not an ideal design as the U bolts and spring plates carry all the weight. They do seem to bend and must flex.. With Roof racks, heavy use and abuse, when your springs are fully compressed, just think of the loads on the U bolts and plates.
If the axel comes loose in a very short time the center bolts can be damaged, along with the main leaf on the springs. I have axel plates under the axel seats so the springs haven't been marked.. The other issue is that rounded edges form on the axel saddles leaving little to stop the axel rolling inside the U bolts even when they're tight.. make sure the U bolts remain and stay tight !

[solemnwarning]

Why are the axles above the springs anyway? What advantage could it possibly have?

[tony109]

Why are the axles above the springs anyway? What advantage could it possibly have?


The only advantage it could have is the center of gravity is kept lower along with prop shaft angles .. But if the vehicle was designed from scratch with the axels under the springs the weight and prop angles could still have been kept lower. The original jeep had the axels above the springs and Rover copied this arrangement.. The Russian Gaz, Jeep copy had a different approach, first with Quater eliptics and then with the axels under the springs, where they should be.

[series3100]

Bit off topic but this reminds me i need to torque my U-bolts and shackles... What torques should i use? Im either being stupid or the haynes manual doesn't have them (probably im being stupid:confused:)

Cheers, Brian

[TSM]

When I got a set of U-Bolts from Rocky Mountain the accompanying piece of paper, which was for fitting a full set of para's gave a figure of about 70ft/lbs IIRC.

Tony 109, I have a full set of those base plates that I got off my IIA as I got another set with the para's I got off a scrapper. PM me if it'll save you a bit of hassle.

TSM

[tony109]

When I got a set of U-Bolts from Rocky Mountain the accompanying piece of paper, which was for fitting a full set of para's gave a figure of about 70ft/lbs IIRC.

Tony 109, I have a full set of those base plates that I got off my IIA as I got another set with the para's I got off a scrapper. PM me if it'll save you a bit of hassle.

TSM

Thanks for the offer..If I change the plates I'll want replacements to be heavier than standard.

[NeilH]

Tony 109, I have a full set of those base plates that I got off my IIA as I got another set with the para's I got off a scrapper. PM me if it'll save you a bit of hassle.

TSM
Are these as new? I need a front set for my s2a as the shock mount shafts have worn deep grooves in mine.

[TSM]

Are these as new? I need a front set for my s2a as the shock mount shafts have worn deep grooves in mine.

Not exactly... I would think they're serviceable and not too grooved or bent. I might be able to get some photos this weekend and you can see what you think.

TSM

[Snagger]

101s are spring-over and carry much heavier loads. A spring over conversion would be viable if you could find relatively flat springs, which give better characteristics anyway.

[glencoyne]

if you could find relatively flat springs

At last we have a use for Britpart leaf springs. :)

[Satancom]

At last we have a use for Britpart leaf springs. :)

:D

[Snagger]

At last we have a use for Britpart leaf springs. :)
Ah, but after a week, they'd be inversely cambered, and you'd still be riding on the bump stops! I don't know what they use for their springs, but it isn't chocolate - you have to get chocolate over 30oC before it starts going soft.:rolleyes: