C3 - Sneaky Spring Liners

[Robert E.]

Last spring, I replaced an older reproduction spring on my '71 with a new spring from Eaton Detroit Spring. I made sure to order the spring unfinished to allow me to paint all sides with Quanta leaf spring paint and liners.

All went well until the fall. While removing my battery for winter storage, I noticed all the liners on the left side had buckled and squeezed out the sides. What could have caused this? Should I have not painted all spring surfaces?

I will obviously have to remove the spring to remedy the situation. If anybody can offer an explanation why this happened, I'd appreciate the assistance.

Thanks

Rob

[Michael M.]

Re: C3 - Sneaky Spring Liners

A picture is worth a thousand words. It will help us help you.

[Robert E.]

Re: C3 - Sneaky Spring Liners

Kinda cold out there. Ok, give me a few minutes.

Rob

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 - Sneaky Spring Liners

Last spring, I replaced an older reproduction spring on my '71 with a new spring from Eaton Detroit Spring. I made sure to order the spring unfinished to allow me to paint all sides with Quanta leaf spring paint and liners.

All went well until the fall. While removing my battery for winter storage, I noticed all the liners on the left side had buckled and squeezed out the sides. What could have caused this? Should I have not painted all spring surfaces?

I will obviously have to remove the spring to remedy the situation. If anybody can offer an explanation why this happened, I'd appreciate the assistance.

Thanks

Rob

Rob-----


The Quanta spring paint would not have caused the problem regardless of whether you painted one or both sides of the spring leaves.

There may be a durability problem with the liners that Eaton uses. The original liners were graphite filled polypropylene. Most replacement liners I've seen, including later GM replacements, were thinner material than the originals. That, by itself, usually doesn't cause a problem as you describe. However, if the liners in question are made from inferior material, that could cause the problem. With these spring liners, they have to be more than just "cosmetically" similar to the originals; they have to be structurally similar to the originals, too. I hope the purveyors of such liners, including Eaton, understand that.

[Robert E.]

Re: C3 - Sneaky Spring Liners

Hi Joe, It almost looks like there may be too much friction between the leaves. I thought it may have been caused by a too thick layer of Quanta paint. Imagine my shock when I crawled under to remove the holdown bolt for my battery and saw this.....

[Henry J.]

Re: C3 - Sneaky Spring Liners

Robert:

Any possibility of heat deformation?

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 - Sneaky Spring Liners

Robert and Henry-----


Yes, I think that heat is exactly what caused this problem. Not excessive heat but, rather, the inability of the liners to withstand normal heat. There is normally a considerable amount of friction generated between the leaves and this generates considerable heat. Apparently, these liners could not withstand that heat. We've also learned something else. We now know between which leaves the greatest heat is generated.

[Robert E.]

Re: C3 - Sneaky Spring Liners

I'm not so sure about heat deformation. The liners on the right side are slightly deformed, but not to the extent of the left, but who knows. If heat is the culprit, I wonder how many other people have used these Quanta liners and have experienced the same thing? Anybody else seen this before?

Rob

[Brian M.]

Re: C3 - Sneaky Spring Liners

I have the Quanta liners in my 67 coupe and have aprox 5,000 miles on them without any problems.

[Michael M.]

Re: C3 - Sneaky Spring Liners

That does look bad. I am not an expert but it does seem like a heat issue. Not sure I agree that this was purely a function of frictional heat though. The liner closest to the exhaust is the most deformed. I wonder if maybe you didn't put enough torque on the center bolt which may have allowed the liners to deform whereas if they were held tighter in between the leaves, possibly they would have had to stay put.

I bought my liners from Doc Rebuild, I cut them to length myself using the old ones as a template. Not sure if they are Quanta liners or not but so far so good (about 6 months).

[Robert E.]

Re: C3 - Sneaky Spring Liners

Thanks to all for taking the time in responding. In the next few weeks I'll be removing the spring and will replace the liners. I'm sure the center bolt was torqued well, but anything is possible. I'll certanly tighten it well next time.

Rob