Balance Link Springs

[Philk]

I've just taken delivery of four replacement bonnet balance link springs (BD19972) from SNG to save myself the challenge of stripping, priming and repainting my 3.8 S1 originals (which, annoyingly, had been repainted silver in the past). To my surprise, the springs are of a different design in terms of the location of the "eye hooks"... the dimensions (and number of coils) in the spring are identical but the "eye hook" at each end of the new spring are on opposite sides of the spring whereas my original spring has them centred (see image below). In addition, it looks like the new springs have been painted in their compressed position which means each coil is joined to each other with a paint "bridge" which will crack open when the spring is stretched when the bonnet is in its closed position.



I've raised these points with SNG who are looking into things. In the meantime, is anyone aware of whether the spring design was changed at any point from centre "eye hooks" to offset?

Many thanks!

[mgcjag]

Hi Phil.....what am i missing they look almost identical in the photo...Steve

[Philk]

Hi Phil.....what am i missing they look almost identical in the photo...Steve

Hi Steve

Hopefully clearer on the photo below (where I've added some centre lines). On my old (silver) spring, the hooks are in the centre at both ends. On the new springs, they are on opposite sides of the centre lines. As such, when fitted to the car, they'll be aligned differently to my existing springs. In other respects (dimensions / no. of coils the springs are identical)

Having trawled through some of the Forum pages, I'm wondering whether the spring designs were altered when some of the different bonnet link arms were introduced (which had different angles present within them).

Best Regards

Phil

[abowie]

Just reuse your old ones.

[265bhp]

I spent ages cleaning my old ones...and to avoid the problem of painting in the unstretched position, I stretched them whilst painting.....

[Philk]

I spent ages cleaning my old ones...and to avoid the problem of painting in the unstretched position, I stretched them whilst painting.....

I may go down that route. Out of interest, what brand of gloss black paint did you use on them? Did you prime them first?

[265bhp]

Hi Phil
A quick etch prime and then gloss top coat...all in 2K paint, no particular brand
Best
Jonathan

[Philk]

Hi Phil
A quick etch prime and then gloss top coat...all in 2K paint, no particular brand
Best
Jonathan

The lockdown is providing the ideal opportunity to do this. Heavy duty frame constructed, springs bead blasted (offsite at an earlier stage), wire brushed (with coils stretched open), etch primed and gloss painted. Time consuming but very satisfying in terms of the end result. The only thing I have to do is tidy up the ends of the hooks where the wires went to pull the springs open.



Frame constructed prior to springs being stretched out



Springs etch primed - Note how far the eye-hook has moved - with the number of coils in each spring, just opening to a 1-1.5mm gap between each coil adds considerably to their length. [This was the second pair of springs - I forgot to photograph the etch prime stage on the first pair - these are bagged up post-painting in the background of the picture]



Springs top-coated. Eye-hook released by a small amount just to reduce overall tension but with gaps still present between the coils for the paint to cure. I left them 3 days prior to releasing completely.

[265bhp]

Good job Phil
Well worth it

[PeterCrespin]

Perfectly beveled jig corners - weep! Mine aren’t that nice when I’m framing a picture.

I suppose you’re good looking and excel at sports as well?

[Philk]

Perfectly beveled jig corners - weep! Mine aren’t that nice when I’m framing a picture.

I suppose you’re good looking and excel at sports as well?

You can take comfort in neither of the above being true! Years ago, I purchased a mitre saw to deal with a DIY project I had underway in the house and I've been surprised at how much I've used it over the years. Whilst the corner joints were glued on the "spring frame", I also put a substantial screw into each corner. It's quite amazing the amount of force required to pull the two springs open by an inch or so each.

[Philk]

And.... today, the finished product fitted. A very enjoyable task (aside from cleaning up the brass washers!).

[Jeremy]

Lovely work Phil!

[288gto]

Very nice!

[ETTony]

Just had a light bulb moment, maybe that is where my front rattle is coming from, if my springs are on the loose side of not quite tight enough

[Philk]

Just had a light bulb moment, maybe that is where my front rattle is coming from, if my springs are on the loose side of not quite tight enough

When the bonnet is locked down, the springs are under heavy tension and therefore will be tightly secured at each end on their retaining pegs. IMHO that is unlikely to cause a rattle.

[ETTony]

Just had a light bulb moment, maybe that is where my front rattle is coming from, if my springs are on the loose side of not quite tight enough

When the bonnet is locked down, the springs are under heavy tension and therefore will be tightly secured at each end on their retaining pegs. IMHO that is unlikely to cause a rattle.

You are so right, they are tight.
A few years ago on the RBCD up in Scotland, we all realised we all had rattles.
Still searching for rattle sources, as we all are