Vitesse Mk2 Leaf Spring

[MarkB]

Starting to build up the chassis on the Vitesse cleaning, painting and polly bushes everywhere and decided to strip down the leaf spring and sandblast and refurbish what I can. Covered 60.000 miles so I am sure its got lots of life left. The first six leafs are easy to remove and are good nick. The top four are clamped together. I was going to replace all four rubber buttons two will be easy but not sure about the ones sandwiched between the top three leafs. I've rebuilt a couple of swing springs which where straight forward. Anybody rebuilt a vitesse one before.

[willows40]

All you need to do is bend the clamp holding leafs together to open them up. A large screwdriver,prybar will do the job, would have been easier when the spring was together.

cheers andy

[MarkB]

Thanks for that. A lot easier to prise open than I thought. Cleaned all the crustaceans that had formed between the leaves with a wire wheel, new buttons and bushes. Straight forward job. pleased i did it. I Smothered thick grease between the leaves before assembly and was thinking of wrapping it something like a greased up bandage, to help prevent it rusting up again. Whats your thoughts.

[ahebron]

Hi Blue, the only issue I have with wrapping something to keep water out is if it is not done so it is %100 waterproof then water will get in and it will stay in causing a lot more damage than an open spring. And I cannot see how you can wrap a leaf spring so it is %100 sealed.
A good quality paint job is best.

Adrian

[willows40]

Years ago when i used to make springs you could get some leather or something similar that you bound the springs with which you packed with grease, Can`t for the life of me think what they were called.

cheers andy

[Paudman]

You can get gaiters in leather, but not 100% watertight. I used Denso grease-impregnated tape on mine, and wound tightly it conforms to the spring's various contours and will be as watertight as it's possible to get.