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+--- Thread: Front spring U bolts (/showthread.php?tid=4640)
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Front spring U bolts - Howard Wright - 07-07-2020
Hi All
In a former life I was a structural engineer so forgive my ignorance on mechanical matters. Could those mechanical engineers explain to me why we use u bolts to secure the front (and rear) springs?
The reason I ask is that it would be so much easier to remove and replace front springs if they were secured with bolts and clamping plates. It is not as though the u bolt is round and restraining a tube!
Cheers
Howard
RE: Front spring U bolts - Bob Culver - 07-07-2020
Saving weight was very much the goal with the early cars (see the recent magnificent photo of an early chummy) and every little counted. Maybe a plate tends to make the centre of spring too rigid. Perhaps also an element of traditon from horse carts. No need to restrrin the bolt head whilst tightening. Also commercial hardware may not have been as cheap as today.
Some tasks on the Seven are slightly more awkward than could have been, but all is a dream compared with the typical modern for which just the right tool assemby and/or hands like a child seems to be needed for everything.
RE: Front spring U bolts - Zetomagneto - 07-07-2020
Hi Howard, I see no particular reason to use U bolts, cant see why HT bolts into a flat plate wont work.
I would have thought this to be a stronger arrangement
Be interesting to see what others think.
Gene
RE: Front spring U bolts - Colin Morgan - 07-07-2020
As Bob said - light - and quick to fit.
Had one of these fail a few years ago - not the most accessible item on the car.
RE: Front spring U bolts - Zetomagneto - 07-07-2020
Colin, your statements seem contradictory. Certainly not an easy or quick to fit item.
RE: Front spring U bolts - Colin Morgan - 07-07-2020
On initial build, when everything is accessible, a u-bolt is easy - lines itself up and quick to tighten. The problem I had 70 year later was access - so much in the way I could hardly see or reach the nuts - can't remember if I removed the radiator or not now.
RE: Front spring U bolts - Tony Press - 07-07-2020
I think the spring U bolt is a neat and tidy solution compared to a clunky plate and bolts - which need two spanners to tighten.
How would you fit the plate/bolt combination on the rear springs ?
RE: Front spring U bolts - Bob Culver - 08-07-2020
Riding in Sevens tend to think the springs not doing much but the trials shots are a revelation. I suspect if totally clamped in the middle would snap at the ends.
RE: Front spring U bolts - Zetomagneto - 08-07-2020
Tony, I don't think you could use plate and bolts at the rear because the fixing needs to be below the top of the sidemember, and no point anyway as the nuts are readily accessible
RE: Front spring U bolts - Tony Press - 09-07-2020
Hence my comment !
"I think the spring U bolt is a neat and tidy solution compared to a clunky plate and bolts "