I just purchased new springs from VP Autoparts to 'refresh' my Duett...

For those who might be interested, VP now sells front 'lowering springs' for the PV and Duett and I sprung for a set. I also purchased leaf springs.

Prior to installation I will have them powder coated. (If someone feels this is a bad idea, please tell me why...).

What color - silver or chassis black?

Thank you.

KaiS

Kai, if you have not yet installed your new rear leaf springs, could you measure the height of the leaf spring arc. I’m restoring my springs and I’m interested if they need re-arching.

If you could place a ruler from each end in the middle of the eye and then measure the distance from the ruler to the spring arc, would be appreciated. I’ll try and attach a picture.

Hi JK -

Yes. Done. The measurement you asked for is 15.0 cm / 5and13/16th inches.
I will try to attach photos below; the last photo is the relevant passage from the workshop manual detailing proper testing procedure for the leaf springs.

Best of luck with your excellent project!

Apologies - upload a no go for now - DM me for pictures and I will send to you direct. In any event, the measurement is accurate.

Thanks. My spring measurement is 13.0 cm. After 60 years, gravity is winning.
So, it looks like I’m going to have to try some reaching.

I have the Duett rear suspension manual (or at least I think I do). It requires bending the spring 11 mm past the horizontal and then checking if the force is 450 Kg +/- 15. I can bend the spring with my press, but have no means of measuring the force.

Unfortunately, it is not easy to add picture to this forum. First you must go to “Brick Pix” in the Brickboard forum options and load the picture by clicking on “Add a new exhibit”. When you want to add the picture in your reply, click on "Image Library (upload/select)" it will take you back to BrickPix to select the picture you want to add.

Thanks again.

Powder coating is rather hard and brittle. Springs are just a coiled up torsion bar so the metal is always on the move. The powder coat might not last long under those condition. Good 2 pack oven baked, perhaps better, maybe with a bit of plasticiser in the mix to make it a bit more flexible? Unless you are someone who spends Sunday morning polishing your suspension parts, properly applied paint to properly prepared suspension parts probably best. There is a spring tape that you can wrap your oily leaf springs with to keep them rust free and easy moving. Not hard for you to make it look neat.

I suggest any color but silver.

In my experience, silver paint does not hold up well - perhaps powder coating would be different,

I would check with the coating guys.

There is a reason for the use of black paint for chassis parts.

I suggest a color that stands out - that way a viewer might ask - Why are your springs blue? = That is because they are SPECIAL LOWERING SPRINGS ;)

I powder coated my rims of my 2004 Lexus LS430 to the original silver/grey color. They have been holding up well. They even found a crack in one wheel which they repaired and balanced.