My 1948 TC leaf springs service

[tcremesal]

I'm about to service my leaf springs. I've heard about liners to install between some of the leafs. Or is paint and or graphite the chosen method ? Thanks, T.C.

[Marv]

I stripped by soda blasting, then primed with epoxy 2 part black and finished with epoxy satin black. Then a strip of sticky back Mylar tape to each leaf on the contact side. The tape is no thicker than regular masking tape. On assembly, we brushed on a thin coating of regular wheel bearing grease. I can get you purchase info on the Mylar tape if interested. My shop people were very surprised with it and we think it is going to be very effective. It's inexpensive and 2 rolls did all four springs with some left over. Marv

[Duncan M]

I have original leaf springs that turned out to be in fine condition. If you have original or not, ttypes.org/ttt2 has a good article on leaf springs. The actual article begins with addressing some problem with the eyes of new replacements available in Britain, but then goes on to explain a strategy I used. Galvafroid is a high zinc paint available in Europe. I found a quart of equivalent Rust-Oleum high zinc (95% or thereabouts) paint called "galvanizing paint" was plenty for all four sets. This technique involves graphite mixed into silicon grease.
Check out the article: http://ttypes.org/ttt2/?s=front+leaf+sp ... mit=Search

[Steve Simmons]

You can buy teflon liners made for this purpose. The TC springs are narrower than typical, so teflon anti-friction tape is best because you can cut it to size. Find at industrial suppliers or some restoration suppliers.

[XPAGnut]

I guess the liner comes in black. I have seen clashing colors that's visible at the ends. Still works when the springs get encased in road grime and dirt and grease and so forth. You will find you really need to finish the ends so as not to dig into and make mincemeat of the liners. It can look funny if you look too close, so don't look to close.

[Steve Simmons]

The black liners I've seen are a thick material with raised edges to hold them in place. But I've never seen them in the narrow size of the TC leafs, so there will be some hanging out the sides and it may slide around a bit.

[Duncan M]

Leather gaiters or denso tape wrapped around to keep grease in and dirt out has worked well.

[tcremesal]

I'm having a heck of a time bending the clips back to separate the leafs . Can I apply some heat , or will that destroy the integrity of the metal ? I've been able to bend the inside clips ,but , the outer smaller ones no.

[Marv]

Yes, heat in moderation. the clips are ok to heat and bend otherwise the 69 year old metal will likely break if you bend it cold. You'll have to judiciously apply some heat to refold them on final ass'y as well then touch up with paint to match unless you're going to dip them. .....

[tcremesal]

Thanks Marv , Heat worked.

[Marv]

Glad it worked for you, I bent my first one "cold" and it broke. Had to braze it. I bent the rest hot and also hot on reassembly. I used a Mylar tape between each spring leaf on reassembly after epoxy painting, no thicker than masking tape. Applied a thin coating of grease and put it all together. Very happy with results. I'll look up purchase info on Mylar tape if interested.

[tcremesal]

Marv : Got some Teflon liners.Will that do with paint and graphite? Thanks again.

[tcremesal]

I've separated and cleaned the leafs . They've never been painted just graphite grease. seem to be the originals . They were encased in gaiters not leather . Are these markings of any significance or just the shop where they were forged?

[XPAGnut]

Curious what people use to re-secure the clips around, if teflon strips added? I am thinking if 1/16" thick teflon x 5 is 5/16" will need new slightly larger clips?

Can you make out the June manufacturer year stamped in there? Could be the key puzzle piece. Cary did make the rear springs and front coil springs for TD's. TC's are stamped with a typical 5 digitpart number and "Berry" for Brockhouse Berry of Manchester. They were the original TC spring supplier I believe. see: http://ttypes.org/ttt2/leaving-your-mar ... -tradition It would be interesting if TD rear springs would work as-is in a TC. I never heard that one, or maybe they were re-worked somehow?

What sort of gaitors? The factory springs definitely would have been painted originally, as no gaitor's of any sort was provided. If just teflon liner and graphite dust used, what will happen when moisture gets in? Or were you going to use gaitor's to avoid that?

[tcremesal]

These are front shocks . The gaiters seem to be black canvas .