reinstall transverse leaf spring

[Ed Levin]

After cleaning and repainting the subframe and the leaves in the front transverse spring, and replacing the interleaves, we're now trying to get the spring back in without any special tools. What's the best technique / sequence?

[Ralph deMasi]

Having done this at least two times, maybe more, I can vouch that it can be done without special tools. But you will need some regular tools; a large c-clamp and bottle jack if I remember correctly.

I did fabricate a fixture but that was to relieve the spring's pressure on to the A-arm to change ball-joints or the rubber insulator.

Sorry I'm not more helpful with a step by step.

Ralph

[Geoff]

at least you bring some real experience tho!

[Ed Levin]

Thanks, Ralph. We've got a group of large C-clamps. I was just wondering if there was some step that wasn't obvious.

[Bart Verbeek]

I put the leaf spring back on the subframe of my Zagato last week.
Fresh in my mind I can tell:
without any good tooling: get some help! It's better to do this with 2!
You can lose some bodyparts if the jack jumps away....
so be very carefull, girls only like little scars!

Before you can fix the spring, unbolt the upper suspension triangles.
Put the leafspring in place and bolt on the bracket (parts no: 1603727 or 1603726) (do not tighten the bolts yet)
bring the leaf spring to a horizontal position (by using jacks or much easier the correct tools: see picture)
tighten the bolt of the bracket
bolt on the upper arms (but nut tighten the bolts yet)
put the buffer ends (parts no: 1603055) in place
bring the upper arms in place according to the manual: 6-7 cms from the seat of the upper arm ball joint to the rubber stop (be sure: check manual!!!)
tighten the upper arms
bring back the swivel in place
release the tension on the leaf spring
mission accomplished!
check fingers ... no one is missing:
time for a beer! -D

Bart

[Ed Levin]

Bart, that's perfect, thanks. And I won't be doing this by myself, but I appreciate the warnings--fingers are very useful.,

[Huib]

It is an extremely dangerous job. I refuse to do it without proper tools.

[Ed Levin]

We're going to fabricate a copy of the factory compressor tool that spans the subframe towers.

[gamma a.i.]

hello Ed L
not that I will ever try this task; not (I pray) will I ever have need to; not that I have the facilities to do it in, not that i have all the other tools required to do it & (finally) not that I could do it even if all the above were the opposite (do I follow me? ), BUT...still...when you have fabricated the tool; would you post a photo...for those of me who are in the dark about what exactly will be fabricated.

OK, honest-engine now; I do understand the generalities as to "why it is required", thanks to having read explanations thereof in this forum many times"; but the particulars to how to do it is "twilight zone" to me.

If any/someone else would like to post a photo of an already existing tool, home made of original Lancia; please post it to.

Thanks in Advance Johnny 2010 in Stuttgart

[Ed Levin]

Johnny,

The tool is shown in the factory manual (as always, RTFM). It's essentially a channel (we'll a 2" or 3" standard steel channel) that sits on it's 'back', bolts to the top subrfame mounts (obviously with the subframe out) to keep it in place, and extends about 4" - 6" beyond the subframe at both ends. At each extension is a threaded rod that extends down at an angle (tapering in) to grab the ends of the leaf spring. By tightening nuts on the threaded rods where they pass through the channel (tightening both ends equally), the spring ends are pulled up and held in tension. My manual is at the shop, or I'd scan and post the photograph from the manual that shows the tool in use.