Quarter Elliptical Springs

[bugedd]

A few weeks back I went over some RR tracks that were exceeding rough, bottomed out the car and destroyed my exhaust system. Now that is fixed, I am going to remove the "S" bent softer springs and put the original ones back in. However if I recall, they are a bit oversprung. Somewhere I saw people leaving out a leaf or two, or reconfiguring the arrangement, but can't find that link. Any thoughts on using the stock springs, but arranging them a bit to soften up the ride a tad?

 

[AndriesS]

I found that the ride was very good after I took all the leafs apart, cleaned of the rust and put some grease in between the leafs before putting the together again. before that it was very stiff. I initially took some out to get the right height down but prefer using wedges now to do that.

 

[nomad]

Original springs have a soft ride IMO. As mentioned, they should be cleaned and I think the hot set up is to use "Slip Plate" graphite paint on the leaves. Available at Tractor Supply stores and likely on line. I'm going to come up with a overload spring set up for my BE since bottoming out is a bit hard on my already fragile back.

Kurt.

 

[bugedd]

I with the advice of Tom Colby of Speedwell and removed the #2 and #4 small springs, put it all together, with the right back to the right and left to left, and the car has a bachelors lean of over 1", sagging on the drivers side. If logic follow, swapping the springs will just swap it to the other side. Will I be chasing my tail trying to level this thing out, making my life more difficult than it needs to be, drinking far more beer in frustration than any man should?

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Yes you will. Add 1/2 of a lowering kit to the side that doesn't sag and they now will be the same height. Leave it alone and just go drive. And repeat this mantra until minutiae about Spridgets stops bugging you

God grant me the serenity to accept those things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

Somehow this prayer seems very appropriate when dealing with things we simply cannot understand. Live with it, life is too short, go forth and drive!

 

[nomad]

I have swapped the spring pack from one side to the other with success but as mentioned the springs are a little soft and bottoming is not pleasant. Yesterday I bottomed my BE on a particularly sharp bridge approach. Got to do something about that overload spring.

Kurt.

 

[bugedd]

Jim, you clearly are a wise man!
After several beers, a good nights sleep, I decided to put the "S" bent leaf stack back in. Seems they bottom out as easy as the stock springs after my test drive, which is what I was trying to remedy. All that work for nothing. Oh well, I didn't have anything else to do!