To: Triumphs List, Inet
On Wed., Margaret Watson wrote:
While removing the original spring/shock assembly I encountered
my first SPRUNG spring. I was using standard spring compression
hooks (180 degrees) and was successful in getting the shock nuts
almost all the way off when the spring twisted and FLEW across
the garage. Boy did I feel stupid when I discovered the safety
retaining hooks that would have prevented this mishap. Just so you
all know. The original springs on the 78 Spitfire are about 20
inches tall and compress to about half of that. The new ones are
NOS and are still 20 inches. I didn't opt for the racing
springs.
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Thank you Margaret for providing a nice example of the exact thing
I have been bitching about on this list ever since I first saw a
thread about spring removal and compression. I feel vindicated
for what some subscribers have called my overly conservative and
cautious approach to the entire issue of spring removal. Look,
this is serious stuff and people can and do get injured, sometimes
severely, from these damn things. 'Nuff said.
Ross D. Vincenti
64 Spitfire 4 (undergoing surgery)
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