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Lubing leaf springs
Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2001 9:15 pm
by David and Joyce Edgar
This thread on greasing every 500 miles got me to thinking about the
leaf springs. I can see the rust marks between each of my leaves.
Guess I have rust because I greased them 25 years ago and have gone
through many a rain storm. Can a teflon be put between or maybe
spray with a motorcycle chain lube to keep things working smoothly?
Actually, I think I tried the motorcycle chain lube once but what a
mess if I remember right. Can't imagine undoing the springs every
500 miles to lube. Any suggestions?
David Edgar, TC 5108
La Mesa, California
Lubing leaf springs
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2001 12:09 am
by PMS GB Ltd
Message text written by David and Joyce Edgar
>This thread on greasing every 500 miles got me to thinking about the
leaf springs. I can see the rust marks between each of my leaves.
Guess I have rust because I greased them 25 years ago and have gone
through many a rain storm. Can a teflon be put between or maybe
spray with a motorcycle chain lube to keep things working smoothly?
Actually, I think I tried the motorcycle chain lube once but what a
mess if I remember right. Can't imagine undoing the springs every
500 miles to lube. Any suggestions?
Re: Lubing leaf springs
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2001 6:12 am
by Chip Old
Motorcycle chain lube is what I have always used on springs that don't
have rubber inserts. The advantage is that it sprays on thin, which
helps it seep between the leaves, but it sets up thick to help it stay
in place. Jack up the rear of the chassis to take the weight off the
springs before spraying. Yes it's messy, but after a day or two just wipe
off the springs with rags or paper towels.
If you want to try inserts, dig through the magazines and catalogs that
cater to hot rodding. Inserts made of teflon an other slippery materials
used to be popular with that crowd, so I imagine tey still are.
On Thu, 1 Feb 2001, David and Joyce Edgar wrote to T-ABC list:
> This thread on greasing every 500 miles got me to thinking about the
> leaf springs. I can see the rust marks between each of my leaves.
> Guess I have rust because I greased them 25 years ago and have gone
> through many a rain storm. Can a teflon be put between or maybe spray
> with a motorcycle chain lube to keep things working smoothly?
> Actually, I think I tried the motorcycle chain lube once but what a
> mess if I remember right. Can't imagine undoing the springs every 500
> miles to lube. Any suggestions?
>
> David Edgar, TC 5108
> La Mesa, California
--
Chip Old 1948 M.G. TC TC6710 XPAG7430 NEMGTR #2271
Cub Hill, Maryland 1962 Triumph TR4 CT3154LO CT3479E
fold@bcpl.net
Re: Lubing leaf springs
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2001 6:40 am
by Ray McCrary
Clive is quite correct; I have used the spray motorcycle chain lube on a
variety of cars over the years with great results. Use a piece of cardboard
behind the spring as you spray to collect over spray! Some of these sprays
have a combination of "space age" lubricants.
Best,
Ray McCrary
"Speed is Life;
of course Luck and Altitude
are helpful, too."
----- Original Message -----
From: "PMS GB Ltd" 100070.740@compuserve.com>
To: "David and Joyce Edgar" djedgar@pacbell.net>
Cc: "T-ABC list" mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2001 2:09 AM
Subject: [mg-tabc] Lubing leaf springs
> Message text written by David and Joyce Edgar
> >This thread on greasing every 500 miles got me to thinking about the
> leaf springs. I can see the rust marks between each of my leaves.
> Guess I have rust because I greased them 25 years ago and have gone
> through many a rain storm. Can a teflon be put between or maybe
> spray with a motorcycle chain lube to keep things working smoothly?
> Actually, I think I tried the motorcycle chain lube once but what a
> mess if I remember right. Can't imagine undoing the springs every
> 500 miles to lube. Any suggestions? =================================================
> Greasing the springs makes a huge difference in handling and ride
> comfort, as well as prolonging the trunnion life on TA/TB
>
> Those that remember my large posting on setting up the chassis to
> get the T Type to steer properly will remember this !!! ???
>
> Thin oil from a can run down the leaves is one method - but easiest
> perhaps is the aerosols of thin oil with molybdenem and graphite
> used for motorcycle
> chains.
>
> Clive
>
>
>
Re: Lubing leaf springs
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2001 6:46 am
by Frank O_ The Mountain
In a message dated 2/2/01 5:34:46 AM Pacific Standard Time,
djedgar@pacbell.net writes:
>
David, Teflon will extrude, the hot rodders use mylar for this. In olden
days (?), the leaves were pried apart and lubricated. There is even a
special tool for this that you can find at jumbles sometimes....then the
springs were wrapped with a water proof gutter tape called Denso in England.
Next time you see my TA, check out the front springs.
Terry
Re: Lubing leaf springs
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2001 1:56 pm
by Zissel-Kreuztal@t-online.de
Hi David,
I grease my springs 8 Years ago with seawater proof bearing-grease and
protected the lot with packaging cord (pre war style). After that I
grease them from outside to hold the cord flexible and
close small gaps. You have to grease the springs from outside 1 time per
year. This procedure improve the handling, because the cord brings a
additional damping effect!
Teflon between the blades: In my opinion it will decrease the self
damping effect and also the excellent handling.
lozi (TC3762)
Re: Lubing leaf springs
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2001 1:58 pm
by Zissel-Kreuztal@t-online.de
Hi David,
I grease my springs 8 Years ago with seawater proof bearing-grease and
protected the lot with packaging cord (pre war style). After that I
grease them from outside to hold the cord flexible and
close small gaps. You have to grease the springs from outside 1 time per
year. This procedure improve the handling, because the cord brings a
additional damping effect!
Teflon between the blades: In my opinion it will decrease the self
damping effect and also the excellent handling.
lozi (TC3762)
Re: Lubing leaf springs
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2001 2:43 pm
by Gene Wescott
----- Original Message -----
From: taterry@aol.com>
To: djedgar@pacbell.net>; mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2001 5:45 AM
Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] Lubing leaf springs
> In a message dated 2/2/01 5:34:46 AM Pacific Standard Time,
>
djedgar@pacbell.net writes:
>
> spray with a motorcycle chain lube to keep things working smoothly?
> Actually, I think I tried the motorcycle chain lube once but what a
> mess if I remember right. Can't imagine undoing the springs every
> 500 miles to lube. Any suggestions? >>
>
> David, Teflon will extrude, the hot rodders use mylar for this. In olden
> days (?), the leaves were pried apart and lubricated. There is even a
> special tool for this that you can find at jumbles sometimes....then the
> springs were wrapped with a water proof gutter tape called Denso in
England.
> Next time you see my TA, check out the front springs.
> Terry
When Mike Goodman overhauled my 1947 TC a couple of years ago we put
strips of teflon between the spring leaves. We had to polish the spring
elements
which were rusty from years of non greasing regularly. The result was a
great
improvement in the ride, especially on rough roads and Los Angeles freeways.
I don't know how mylar would be better.
Gene
Re: Lubing leaf springs
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2001 7:42 pm
by LuckyFloridaLin@aol.com
Dear Terry; Note you have a TA. I'm bidding on one and wonder how they
compare with the TC? Tally Ho ! Thom Collins PS Thanks for the great info.
Re: Lubing leaf springs
Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2001 6:04 am
by Crowsail@aol.com
Good Information!
Where do you find Pre-War style packaging cord?
Pat TC 5135