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If I were to replace this steel spring with a mono spring, what would be the best one to get in terms of matching the original spring rate and maintaining the same dimensions and shape and not having something much wider or more arched that may interfere with the exhaust etc - basically looking for the best like for life dimensional replacement.
Last edited by Last Triumph; 07-09-2022 at 11:10 AM.
They are a bit heavy. If you are building a race car, it could save some weight. The spring isn't that hard to rebuild. Get new spacers, no squeaks. Gray paint. Correct ride height.
The spacers for your 81 are not plastic like pre the '78. They are a special kind of metal. Mine were rusted through which is what caused the squeaking on my 82. The spacers are no longer available as far as I can tell. You'd have to make your own. But at this point the metal springs are probably sagging a bit anyway? That's why I just went and replaced mine since I couldn't find anyone willing to rebuild it.
Replacing the spring with a fiberglass is not a bad idea if you aren't concerned about originality. Since you aren't concerned about originality what's your goal for the car? If it's just a cruiser a softer spring might be a way to go but remember to change out the front to match.
I wanted to keep mine original so I got a replacement spring from Duntov and my right hide was right on the money.
The spacers for your 81 are not plastic like pre the '78. They are a special kind of metal. Mine were rusted through which is what caused the squeaking on my 82. The spacers are no longer available as far as I can tell. You'd have to make your own. But at this point the metal springs are probably sagging a bit anyway? That's why I just went and replaced mine since I couldn't find anyone willing to rebuild it.
Replacing the spring with a fiberglass is not a bad idea if you aren't concerned about originality. Since you aren't concerned about originality what's your goal for the car? If it's just a cruiser a softer spring might be a way to go but remember to change out the front to match.
I wanted to keep mine original so I got a replacement spring from Duntov and my right hide was right on the money.
Other than the exhaust and aluminum radiator, it's a 42k miles all original car and I'd prefer to keep it that way if possible, or at least keep any parts removed so it can be returned to stock if needed.
If I do go down the road of a fibreglass spring, please can I have a link to the correct item for the FE7 Gymkhana suspension?
Or 7 leaf,,,, Is it 2 1/2 or 2 1/4 inches wide? If it's 2 1/2 in. you can purchase a 2 1/4 inch spacer set, cut the edges off and use it just the same. I haven't found the 2 1/2 inch spacers yet. The gray paint I used was a high zinc paint. It helps the leafs slide.
I have looked everywhere and can't find a original 7 leaf spring that came on the 81 vet.
77 original gymkhana suspension car here.
My original 7 leaf spring started to sag back in the early 90's. By the mid 90's it had to go.
Put in a VB&P 330 mono spring. later added the Bilstien B8's as the original Bilstiens had seen better days. 5he B8's are valved correctly for the glass mono spring.
I realise that VB&P have gone the way of the dinosaur.
But I believe Van Steel is now producing them from the same molds. So I have read anyway.
Replacing the steel spring with the composite mono spring is absolutely the best thing you can do.
Better ride, better handling. less weight. no squeak.
77 original gymkhana suspension car here.
My original 7 leaf spring started to sag back in the early 90's. By the mid 90's it had to go.
Put in a VB&P 330 mono spring. later added the Bilstien B8's as the original Bilstiens had seen better days. 5he B8's are valved correctly for the glass mono spring.
I realise that VB&P have gone the way of the dinosaur.
But I believe Van Steel is now producing them from the same molds. So I have read anyway.
Replacing the steel spring with the composite mono spring is absolutely the best thing you can do.
Better ride, better handling. less weight. no squeak.
Can anyone please post a link to the correct spring I need?
Yes that looks correct. And some new hanger bolts so you can adjust the ride height to your liking.
And I highly recommend the new Bilstiens. B8's made for use with composite spring.
Yes that looks correct. And some new hanger bolts so you can adjust the ride height to your liking.
And I highly recommend the new Bilstiens. B8's made for use with composite spring.
Thanks - will now need to investigate most cost effective way to ship to the UK....
@interpon has a great writeup on rebuilding his springs (twice?).
For the rest of us, the VanSteel low-arch is correct. Contact them for a weight suggestion. You probably want 400 lb, and may want to consider shortening it, if wider 15" wheels are in your future.
Keep the old spring, you can rebuild it for fun, or save it for the next owner to throw away.
@interpon has a great writeup on rebuilding his springs (twice?).
For the rest of us, the VanSteel low-arch is correct. Contact them for a weight suggestion. You probably want 400 lb, and may want to consider shortening it, if wider 15" wheels are in your future.
Keep the old spring, you can rebuild it for fun, or save it for the next owner to throw away.
Key for me is to replace the spring rate with what I have now, whatever that is.
07-09-2022, 09:36 AM
1 piece rear mono-sprig to replace FE7 Gymkhana
