I wouldn't be welding spring steel. At best it'll lose its temper.
While you can get replacement standard springs, I'll repeat my
previous advice to this list - go to a springmaker, take your old springs
and he'll be able to make a new set for you. You can reset the ride
height, change the rate etc if you want to.
I have done this with my race midget and an all new pair of custom
rear springs (1/2 elliptic) cost me only A$300, less than it would cost
me for a standard set from the usual sources. The rate and ride height
exactly matched my request.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Thompson <dthompso@total.net>
To: spridgets@autox.team.net <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Date: Wednesday, October 14, 1998 6:32 PM
Subject: leaf spring problems
>Starting now to sandblast, paint and re-assemble components of the '58
>Bugeye. I took a close look at my leaf springs for the first time since
>taking them off the car a year ago.
>
>On one side, here's what I have: 9 thin leaves, one medium-thick leaf,
>one thick leaf, and three more medium thick leaves (the last two form
>the "eye"). Total 14 leaves. On this side the "eye" or "loop" at the end
>of the has an end to end crack in it just where it curves to tuck back
>under the other leaves.
>
>On the other side, I have: 8 thin leaves, 2 thick leaves, and 3 medium
>thick leaves (the last two form the "eye"). Total 13 leaves.
>
>Here's my questions:
>
>I know there's supposed to be 15 leaves, so I assume a DPO has left out
>a few in previous restoration, right? The factory never did this!
>
>The crack does not look safe to me, can it be welded? Or is replacement
>the only way to go?
>
>Anyone have a real good used set with 15 leaves, or an NOS set? Can I
>buy some not-so-good used sets and mix and match to get the best
>combination?
>
>Thanks,
>
>
>Daniel
>AN5L 612 (starting real slow)
>
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