Rear Suspension Overhaul

[Stableblock]

I wouldn't powder coat the springs unless you are sure that the heating process wont affect the temper of the material. SOme powder coaters are quite sloppy about temperatures and you could damage the springs. In addition, you would need to get these springs really clean and have them pretreated with a phosphate or similar if you wanted the coating to stick otherwise it will just tend to peel off in a year or two.

The key will be to get the springs really clean and grease free, apply a metal primer (POR15 metal ready is good - you should be able to see a change to the surface as the coating builds up), then top coat - most liquid paints will have the flexibility. Semi gloss finishes tend to last better under the car than either full gloss or matt.

Hope this helps.

[ChrisC]

We paint quite a few springs for Porsche Cup cars, We use acid etch primer which is easy to use and available in aerosol cans followed by standard 2K paint in any colour you like. If you are really worried about flexibility Standox do a addative called Standflex which is designed primarily for flexible plastic parts but can be added to the top coat to give added flexibility.

[strat24v]

If the end coil is open, slip some heatshrink sleeping over?

[john]

"Sleeping Over"? You sure you have your mind on the subject in hand here, John?

[strat24v]

It's this bloody phone! It changed cnut to Cynthia once!

[ProtoTipo]

It's this bloody phone! It changed cnut to Cynthia once!

Foot off!, Cynthia!

[GrahamH]

If there old springs Guy I would bite the bullet and just buy new ones. They would have lost there original spring rate by now anyway. Car would feel better on a new set.

Graham

[Guy Mayers]

Springs are fine, they were replaced a few years ago and have plenty of life left in them. Unlike the rest of the far suspension components!

Rear shock seals both failed and struts look like they've been weeping. The other slight problem is that the nuts were seized solid and wouldn't shift, 10 minutes with a drill and the pilot hole was enlarged enough to split the thread and remove both which revealed a more serious seizure. the bush in the top mount to the strut. Despite soaking in penetrating oil all weekend and being under pressure from a gear puller there's no sign of them parting company so it looks like I'm going to have bite the bullet and replace the top mounts and struts. Oh well.... This time I'll use a little more grease!

Guy

[AndyH]

Hi Guy,
My Leda struts are M14 x 1.5mm. I have a die if you need it to clean up the threads.
Ref the springs.. I recently got a new set made in Sheffield £80 for the pair plus VAT and carriage. (300lb spring rate)
The company was "Springcoil"
I know you may not want to do this, but your springs may be a bit tired.
I have an original set of springs from Gerry that you can have, but they're VERY hard.
Cheers
Andrew

[Guy Mayers]

Thanks Andrew - the problem is that the steel bush in the Beta topmount is so corroded onto the strut I can;t shift it without destroying something! The something is the strut shaft which will give me the chance to put the remains on a bench press with a couple of sockets and remove the remains from the top mounts saving them. The struts are 12 years old now and have seen better days and are almost impossible to get reconditioned now so I've bitten the bullet and ordered a new set from Gerry. the springs are fine and I'll be able to reuse them! Thanks for the offer though!

Guy