Can you flip the front leaf spring around to lower the front end???

[gsxr126]

Hi all,

Just saw a 1960 500 fully customised. The bloke that owns it said he just flipped the front leaf spring over to lower it. It was TF low for my liking, but just wondering if anyone on this forum has tried this on a 126.

Thanks in advance
Dan.

[Jan-in-UK]

Many times I have been told people just do that to 126's in Poland. But I never get round to check if it is really possible. But I think it should be. Now when you reminded me about this I am tempted to try.

[stuey]

surely the bottom leaf pushes against the ones above which is what give the spring its tension, by flipping it you are just allowing it to spring on the "then" bottom leaf which has been moved to the top (effectivly removing all other leaves from the equation)

methinks it will handle like a sack of dung and be way too soft- get a reverse eye spring and it its not low enough cut down the alloy blocks (up to 11mm can be removed safely) or remove 1 leaf from the spring (this is what I did and it was plenty low enough and handles like its on rails...) 

[gsxr126]

Thanks,

I will try flipping it first to confirm Stuey's thoughts, then if you're right Stuey, the sack of dung will sit in the hood to improve the handling, I mean, I'll get a reverse eye spring etc....

[Jan-in-UK]

I will test it as well. Just in case - where can I buy reverse one and how much will I have to take out of my pocket?

[Pete126]

You can't just flip the spring [-/  Because the spring effect is at the eye ends of the spring unlike the leaf spring on back axles on some motors where the spring effect is in the centre (hope that makes sense)



If you look at the diagram I think Stuey removed No12 but I would suggest you place it under the main leaf No15 as if you remove it all together  the leaf will not sit in the flexible mounting bracket No3.

For safety I would recommend a reverse eye spring

http://www.500mania.it/ns/index.php/store_gbr/leaf-spring-1.html

[michaelodonnell500]

I agree with Pete, the construction of the spring prevents it from working upside down. try it if you wish, but its several hours spent underneath a car for no effect!!
From what I can see, removing no. 12 and placing it under 15 would lower the suspension, but would also soften it. I would suggest splicing 2 springs. Move the eyelet leaf (no.15)  closer to the top, but add a leaf giving 6 leaves which would stiffen the front suspension rather than soften it.
Other than this you have the option of paying someone to reverse the eyelet of no.15, removing the plastic liners, sitting the spring on the floor, with a mate standing on top and heating it wiath a set of burning gear until the arc of the spring softens. lower suspension, but not stiffenend.

[bis13]

500 mania in italy sell the best priced reverse eye leaf springs around 70 odd euros and have a choice of 5 and six leaf springs.

[gsxr126]

Spoke to Mr custom 500 again and he said he had to flip leaf nos 10 & 12 to do this mod. 10 to fit the spring cups and 12 to stiffen it up. It apparently does the job very well.

I will try this as i need to replace my entire front suspension anyway.

[fly]

I just had mine relaxed by a nice man down the road, took it apart, put the locating top leaf (10) on the bottom or vice versa, bolted it all back up and voilà, one slammed 126.  It sits right on the bottom of the shocks and po-go's along though so suspension and any kinda handling are things of the past.

[bis13]

so in other words it didnt work as the car does not handle properly now . if you buy a reverse eye spring it makes the car handle better and at the same time reduces the ride height, couple this with either uprated and shorter shocks or the rear a/c shocks upfront it will also make things better.
 

[gsxr126]

Hey Mick,

What do you recommend, 5 or 6 leaves. Will be looking at 500 mania soon. For 70 pounds its a bargain, I had a quote for modifying my spring and came in at $425 AU. Hate these overpriced assuie suppliers.

[thepuddlejumper]

126FAN have a reverse eye spring at £60 I think

Ralph

[Dom]

Hey Mick,

What do you recommend, 5 or 6 leaves. Will be looking at 500 mania soon. For 70 pounds its a bargain, I had a quote for modifying my spring and came in at $425 AU. Hate these overpriced assuie suppliers.

Go for 5. The 6 leaves are meant for a (Giardiniera 500 Estate) and only have 6 leaves to compensate for the extra weight of the fully laden estate. 5 Leaves on the reverse eye are more than stiff enough, in fact too stiff for many as a lot of the 'older' guys on the 500 club have actually reverted back to the original leaf spring as they found the reverse eye ride too stiff. I like it, except when driving over the increasing amount of pothole and crap roads, where it feels like the car is going to rattle to pieces!

[fly]

so in other words it didnt work as the car does not handle properly now . if you buy a reverse eye spring it makes the car handle better and at the same time reduces the ride height, couple this with either uprated and shorter shocks or the rear a/c shocks upfront it will also make things better.
 

Not exactly, it depends on what you are trying to achieve; I dont think the reverse eye springs lower the car enough so for my purposes the flip has heeded the desired result.  Next job is to change the shocks as you say, budget allowing I plan to invest in a set of adjustable coilovers from Blitz, that should then allow me to remove a few of the leafs. Its all about experimentation and trying different things until you get to where you want to be - for me the cars almost as low as I want it, next is to sort out the handling.