Board Logo

how do you put the torsion leaf springs back into the front beam?
bajachris88 - April 7th, 2009 at 08:22 PM

What do you guys rekon is the easiest way?

Got any links or tips... looks annoying lol. One person i googled suggested welding one end of the whole lot of leaf's but i'm not sure whether meltin up one end will affect it negatively or sumfin...


helbus - April 7th, 2009 at 08:25 PM

The leaf set I have taken out of two busses, top and bottom, totalling 4 sets, have all had end welds. They looked factory to me.


grumble - April 7th, 2009 at 08:32 PM

The tack welds were done at the factory to keep the bars together .


bajachris88 - April 7th, 2009 at 08:34 PM

there were no welds at all on these ones! they had vw symbol printed on them, no cracks or stress marks i could see as i individually cleaned each one.

Maybe i will just tack them back together then. i cna't see any evidence or metal left of any previous tack weld. But if they did it to the kombi it should be alright then.

I will slum down the amps on the arc and gently piece em together.

cheers:tu:


helbus - April 7th, 2009 at 08:39 PM

Only one end though!


1303Steve - April 8th, 2009 at 07:30 AM

Hi

If the beam is out of the car make sure that you can angle it so that bottom of the block in the beam is at the bottom, then have all the leaves clean and just keep stacking them in one at a time.

Sometimes with the last one you can grind a slight wedge on it to get it in.

Steve


matberry - April 8th, 2009 at 08:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by 1303Steve
Hi

If the beam is out of the car make sure that you can angle it so that bottom of the block in the beam is at the bottom, then have all the leaves clean and just keep stacking them in one at a time.

Sometimes with the last one you can grind a slight wedge on it to get it in.

Steve


:tu: It's easy really, have everything clean and take your time, with a b/j beam, you may may need to grind a small lead on the last split leaf as well as the very last leaf.


bajachris88 - April 8th, 2009 at 09:27 AM

Thanks fellaz!

I will get stuck in :tu:

i assume i grease em up as i go?


mackaymanx - April 8th, 2009 at 06:13 PM

I did a ball joint beam last week, spread the leaves out evenly so the bottom leaves protrude about 30 - 50 mm more than the top. Locate the bottom leaf and as you go in you are only trying to locate one leaf at a time. The top three leaves will be the hardest(the split leaf and the single small leaf). I found one of the split leaves would skew up into the position of the single leaf, pull the the split leaves back(usually the one towards the rear of the car is the problem) and reposition it, then slide the single leaf into position. This may take a couple goes but they do go in. A torch helps to see if the last leaves are lined up. Once the leaves are through you can even them back up again.

use some gloves or have some rags and degreaser ready when you are done


68AutoBug - April 8th, 2009 at 08:30 PM

I read somewhere to cable tie them together and push them in.. the cable tie is supposed to slide when it hits the centre....

My cable tie must have been too tight...lol

had to use a great big hammer.... lol

LEE


1303Steve - April 8th, 2009 at 09:22 PM

Hi

Make sure you have the dimples for the grub screws in the beam in the right way round otherwise it will only be a parctice run.

I like to do my leaves dry (cant think of funny drug reference at the moment) they are so messy and to save on rags I clean them with newspaper, not Tally ho, there's a drug reference for you.

Steve


MickH - April 8th, 2009 at 09:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mackaymanx
I did a ball joint beam last week, spread the leaves out evenly so the bottom leaves protrude about 30 - 50 mm more than the top. Locate the bottom leaf and as you go in you are only trying to locate one leaf at a time. The top three leaves will be the hardest(the split leaf and the single small leaf). I found one of the split leaves would skew up into the position of the single leaf, pull the the split leaves back(usually the one towards the rear of the car is the problem) and reposition it, then slide the single leaf into position. This may take a couple goes but they do go in. A torch helps to see if the last leaves are lined up. Once the leaves are through you can even them back up again.

use some gloves or have some rags and degreaser ready when you are done


What about all those bad words you used.......must have helped...:lol:


mackaymanx - April 8th, 2009 at 09:35 PM

I can't remember that:smilegrin:


bajachris88 - April 9th, 2009 at 12:36 AM

hahaha
u guys are awesome :P

sounds like i'm set! thankyou gentleman!


sdat - April 11th, 2009 at 12:31 PM

I used cable ties as well, I thought I may have trouble getting them back in, but it was a piece of cake. I stood the beam up on end so the tubes were vertical and just lowered the leaves straight in. The trick is to keep the bundle as compact as possible.


bajachris88 - April 11th, 2009 at 07:01 PM

Thanks guys, the torsion leaves are in... will just fit the lock in screws in the middle when i find my allen key... its gone MIA...

if lucky, chassis will be rollin tomorrow. we'll see...:tu: