65 rear spring plate ?

Quick912 · Post by **Quick912** » Thu May 01, 2008 1:01 am

ok quick question,

Slowly ripping all the rusty parts off the car as the restoration starts.... and every night i find something to research on the web and add to to the shopping list..

but cant find much info on the spring plate on a swb car ?

are they available and if so whats the price..just need to know if its worth restoring or replacing ?

cheers guys

Nick Moss · Post by **Nick Moss** » Thu May 01, 2008 7:33 am

just need to know if its worth restoring or replacing ?

Do you mean the spring plate or the whole car?

I can't imagine any way that you can restore a spring plate. I have several used ones that you can choose from at £50 each

912uk · Post by **912uk** » Thu May 01, 2008 8:39 am

yeah odd this have you got a photo of the area you are talking about..?

if it is a rear spring plate.. get another one? it's a bolt on bolt off item. AS Nick says they are not expensive to get a good S/H one.

The most you need to do is clean it up with a grinder and a flap wheel, paint it or get it powder coated..

my only other thought is you could be meaning the front suspension pan.. if this is the case then it's really best to replace it.. it's a common area for them to rust and one that is a well documented fix..parts are about £150-200 from memory and about £500- £1000 to get welded.

I would say most good home welders are able to do it.. there are some good ref photos on here to follow.

Quick912 · Post by **Quick912** » Thu May 01, 2008 10:04 am

thanks for the replys,

yep im refering to the rear suspension spring plate.
the metal surfaces are worn where the rubber "bearings " have been sitting on the circular pole sections - so with regards to restoring - i was going to skim them on the lathe to make them smooth and make up some sleeves. - a version of the elephant racing product i guess - but a version that fits (as from dave hillmans site suggests they dont )

the surface on the car will need bushing as well ( where the rubber bearings make contact ) around the torsion bar - not badly worn but why its in bits...wny not.

Do we know if the spring plate is actuall sprung metal or plain old heavy metal....

im all for replacing parts but if i can make them or repair them then it doesnt cost anything as my labour is free .

cheers guys

912uk · Post by **912uk** » Thu May 01, 2008 11:32 am

Right I see where your coming from now.. Eg the bushes are worn and have over time worn into the spring plate ( the round section )

I am not aware of any one that has remade these or turned up new bushes for them other than new rubber bushes using a flexiable nylon material. I would say it could be a time waster and your better off looking for better spring plates than you have already. And building up from that..but if you do find some thing that works do tell us all.. Always good to see new idea's

As for spring plates I am guessing they are jsut plain heavy metal strong enough for the job.. Unlike modern cars

have you posted a pic of your car in the DDK 912 section for current projects?

Quick912 · Post by **Quick912** » Thu May 01, 2008 1:26 pm

Thanks mark - and ill stick some photos up asap

i was going to wait as i wanted to so show some sheet metal work - lots of metal needs repalcing on mine and alot (not all) ill be making myself.

The steel has been ordered and i have a bead roller - electric -in order to remanufacture the strengthening ribs. ( it has a 3foot throat so can bead a 6 foot panel)

first off will probly be the parcel shelf and seat backs - then the floor pan.

im working on the "spit" at the moment so i can get her on her back

ps - was the garage a lot warmer this winter - with the heater ?

912uk · Post by **912uk** » Fri May 02, 2008 10:03 am

I did use the heater and yes it was toasty for sure.. but I cheated this winter

I buggered off to Austrailia for 2 months over the winter.. just couldn't face another Dull winter in Britain quite so soon after the terrible summer we didn't have

Quick912 · Post by **Quick912** » Fri May 02, 2008 12:57 pm

LOL..

ill stick with my heater as me thinks that may be the cheaper option..........altho at 123.9 litre of fuel it aint that much cheaper

ill take some photos of my car to day and post them later - anyone who is
offended of naked rusty swb cars should stay away