What Happens When You Flip 3 Out Of 5 Leaves, On An Rt40rona

[Jordan]

With the power upgrades occuring to the corona, something has to be done about the suspension, which was to say rubbish. Since I don't have a front subframe at the moment I started with the rear suspension. To my pleasent suprise RT40 coronas have 5 rear leaves (corolla's only have 4,) thus the the decision was quickley made to invert and clamp the bottom 3 leaves on top. This has the effect of flattening out the leaf stack (lowring the car) and making the stack much, much stiffer.

 

Results are as follows:

vs the new:

 

Installed the difference is obvious, it also became apparent that the diff has now moved backwards 2cm or so.

 

I'm yet to finish the second side, and I'll take some progress photos for the record.

 

Tips for First timers:

• -clean all threads with petrol, Turps or thinners, as they will all be gungy and this makes doing them up much easier.
  -Use plently of grease when re-assembling (I use Lanolin as it smells pleasent,) make it all slide together so much easier, and it also makes taking it out super easy if you need to. best bit it stops squeeks
  -Get a buddy to help, this is the first time I've done it solo, and in the clamping stage it's much more difficult. Also you can take both sides out at the same time, therein almost halving the total time.
  -If any through bolts are stuck when trying to dis-assemble, use the good old block of wood and hammer trick, this will prevent the thread from being damaged.
  -You'll need at least 2 jacks, I prefer vertical lift jacks like scissor jacks as the don't move around.
  

I'll also be installing some new gas dampers at the rear to make it the best it can be. Will be doing something to the front (not chopping springs) but will have to wait and see what is possible.

 

Cheers

jordan

[coln72]

There was once an infamous member of the TCCA (vic) club that did something like that to a KE25. He had all but the main leaf upsidedown. Lets say that he was putting it back the way it was after the first run. The back wheels were a couple of feet off the road when he tried to do a handbrake turn :P

[MRMOPARMAN]

that would look pretty spectacular i reckon :P

[pozman]

we fliped the main leaf, then added a another of the second leaf to my mates 55, bruoght it done a heap and stiffened it up nicely

 

the good thing about it was it still acted like a stiff spring. actully became quite a nice car to drive, aslong as you had a kidney belt

[Guest Sbox]

Deleted

Edited May 24, 2008 by Sbox

[Redwarf]

There was once an infamous member of the TCCA (vic) club that did something like that to a KE25. He had all but the main leaf upsidedown. Lets say that he was putting it back the way it was after the first run. The back wheels were a couple of feet off the road when he tried to do a handbrake turn :P

 

No it wasn't me. :yes:

[Jordan]

Twill stiffen up nicely and then snap at a later date. I hope it is very stiff cause if your diff has moved backwards, so will your tailshaft. If you hit a really bad pothole your tailshaft will fall out of your gearbox and spear the deck. Why don't you go and see your local springworks and get the leaves added and have it lowered professionally. I would also wait until your front end is ready and you know what rims and rubber you are going to run.

 

I'm yet to have tailshaft made up to fit the 4AGE conversion. I'll be running 13x7" kidney mags with 205/60R13 rubber, however the stoko's and hubbies will make an apperance for shows and poser cruzes.

 

If it's too low or too stiff, I can always play musical leaves to get a happy medium, only takes an hour or so to pull them aout and reinstall.

 

Cheers

Jordan

Edited August 22, 2007 by Jordan

[coln72]

No it wasn't me.

 

But you know who it was........

[ancullen]

I'm yet to have tailshaft made up to fit the 4AGE conversion. I'll be running 13x7" kidney mags with 205/60R13 rubber, however the stoko's and hubbies will make an apperance for shows and poser cruzes.

 

If it's too low or too stiff, I can always play musical leaves to get a happy medium, only takes an hour or so to pull them aout and reinstall.

 

Cheers

Jordan

 

But as soon as you change the leaves around again the new tailshaft will be the wrong length...