From: Barry Lovelock
Date: 21 Jul 2002
Time: 03:06:06
Remote Name: 213.122.167.168
Now for some facts on the Nobbys!
Firstly, lets state some ground rules:
A7 chassis' should be parallel to the ground when set up correctly; my '36 tourer is.
However, some early Chummies seem very high at the rear, your's may not be early, or high.
My rear springs, with the low chassis, are almost flat with just the weight of the car on them. This means that loaded, the car should be fairly neutral until it rolls (it is). But it is best with the dreadful (too big) 4.50/17s on the back. Any self-respecting A7 owner will sell these on to a Morris 8 owner as I did and experience the normal oversteer with 4.00/17 sections! Partial cure is 28-30 psi rear, but I digress. Partner the big rears with the big fronts and the car steers like a lead balloon, but it will drift safely through corners. Let's get real here, it should oversteer, so fit the right size tyres!! Those Export cars must feel terrible!! (That'll wind up Bill and Bruce!)
Now for the facts:
Without knowing what will hit first on my car (possibly the brake arm), the axle has about 5" clearance from the chassis extensions - note, extensions. The Nobby springs have about 8 coils of 1/4" diameter, so coil-bound have removed about 2" of travel, then the aluminium U-bolt bracket takes up another inch. This leaves only round about 2" of travel - similar to what you have found. Standing on the back of the running board (dangerous this even though I only weigh 12 1/2 stone), displaces the car by 3/4". Jumping up and down on the back of the running board (even more dangerous!) and the car moves 1 1/2", which only leaves about 1/2" travel left. So my car would seem to be similar to your's I suspect. The difference may be that I have chassis extensions and at least this may go some way to preventing big holes being punched in the floor I guess.
I too say take your's off, but mine have been on since before 1952 and the second owner, whom I know, so they will remain! I dare say the later spring rating is higher too
My 1985 Vauxhall Nova had rear springs whose coils fitted into each other like a catherine wheel and Vauxhall made quite a big thing about them saving space. It might be an idea to get some made up - just a thought?
Barry.