How to stiffen leaf springs??

[whirlybird]

Im about to build ans Austin 7 Racer/ hillclimb car,(based on Ulster type mods). leaf springs used to be 'stiffened'
by binding in string/rope etc, anyone out there know what to actually use ??? and how its done,
seen some very fancy patterns on Blower Bentleys.
Thanks in advance

[davepen]

I thought the string was to keep the grease in and the muck out - see also wefco

http://wefcogaiters.com/web/html/product/product_b...

The way to stiffen springs was to add leafs, and/re temper.

[whirlybird]

Hi davepen, I hear where your comming from, but I understand that most Austin factory sports cars, ulsters, nippys. 65,s
had bound springs purely to stiffen them! wefcoes, like you say are more suitabl for road cars.

[crankedup]

Replace with heavy duty jobbies or go to www.austinsevenfriends.com
What they don't know about A7s is'nt worth knowing wether it be road or race.

[whirlybird]

All right guys, lets all start again, forget about retempering , heavier springs etc etc, i like the look of the bound springs, and thats the bit im trying to find out about, ive been into austins for 20 years, but string is a new material,that i only use to keep my trousers up with!!!!!!!

[davepen]

This was discussed on the VSCC forum a couple of months back.

They called it French whipping - oh er misses.
And the following link was suggested.

http://www.mikelucasyachting.co.uk/articles/dec_ro...

Many A7 trial cars have a bit of chain to limit one of the shackle pin movement.
The wife's A7 has a plate on one side to control the shackle pin.

Depending on if you're going VSCC or Bert Hadley, it may be worth asking some of the regulars. (We do more LC&ES navigation events)

[whirlybird]

Hi davepen , many thanks for that, could you please PM me so I can find out more ref the VSCC lc events
as the car im building is currently in trials spec, and I plan to use and abuse it as found, in the short term.
thanks in advance

[stifler]

Depends on how many leafs they have?
If you want to keep it with standard parts, on some cars, you can put the second largest leaf in the stack upside down and put the bindings back on.
Works on moggy minors and anglias.

[Semi hemi]

I think Danica could stiffen most things