Front shockabsorber

[Paul Nott]

Hi all 
With more time on my hands between bouts of home schooling and gardening I've felt the need to disappear to the garage on a regular basis and thought I'd tackle the overhaul of the front shockabsorber. 
Originally I was inclined to replace with a double arm unit, however after reading previous comments it seams the advantages of this unit are limited?
However, dyou can see from the photos the unit is quite rusty, in your opinion is it serviceable or should I replace and if so to what?
I also need a new radius arm chassis plate ball, I already have the brass cups but finding it difficult to locate a plate, have tried Tony but unfortunately he is out of stock. Any idea of suppliers?

["Slack Alice" Simon]

Not rusty by my standards.

The assembly doesn't look right, and I haven't seen the spider spring doubled like that before.

[Dave Mann]

Maybe the guy who fitted the twin spider spring got fed up with them breaking, I must have binned dozens of broken ones. I've refurbished rustier ones than that with the aid of various rust removing fluids.

[Bob Culver]

There should not be two disc surfaces in contact. It is not ideal if the rubbing surfaces are very pitted, esp if uisng expensive discs. I vaguely recall the Big Seven has a thin brass disc held in place by being punched into indentations in three or so spots. Could possibly revive with somesuh, using steel for cheapness.

[Mike Costigan]

Brass discs were fitted to Rubys too.

[Henry Harris]

Brass discs were only fitted to the rear shock absorbers. Late Ruby and Big Seven.

[Mike Costigan]

Ah yes, Henry, rears only - but all Rubys, not just late models.

[Charles Levien]

Hi Paul,

When you get the thing sorted out and ready to put back you could consider a simple but effective mod that a lot of people do — to help reduce lateral movement attach the shocker arm directly to the axle on one side. Cut one of the alloy pieces in 1/2 and use this as a spacer. It’s an old trick!

[Paul Nott]

Has anyone any pictures of this mod?

[Peter Clayton]

Not sure on this mod myself, as the arm length would appear to be too short to allow this to be done without of setting the axle. Please tell me I'm missing something .