mk3 front new leaf hanger too far back

[Luke]

can you measure each side from the front spring hanger hole centre to the top hole on the rear one whats the measurements

[AlanN]

thats right hole, I think you need to get some measurments and compare them with another forum member with LWB...

[Muttley]

No offence to the welder but I can see mig wire and lots of blobby welding in that (rather poor) picture. Because the pic is poor I cant be sure, what I can say is that the ONLY way out is to redo the welding, new shorter springs will be ridiculously exspensive and a definite bodge I wouls suspect that the crossmember was misaligned and that the hangers were then welded to that, resulting in the whole job being out of kilter. I would not be happy using a vehicle with such a vital part of the chassis being suspect!

[Twin Wheel Burning]

wow ... I think you could be right!! I will try and change them in the morning! I can't believe I never thought of that! I'll let you know how I get on.. cheers for that!!

[AlanN]

Ive just stumbled on this from a January 1986 Ford Body Manual
It might help!

[Luke]

nice find alan

[Muttley]

wow ... I think you could be right!! I will try and change them in the morning! I can't believe I never thought of that! I'll let you know how I get on.. cheers for that!!

Not sure what you are responding to The springs are fitted to the right holes, the crossmember and hangers are in the wrong place

[Twin Wheel Burning]

Thanks robbie that was well spotted! unfortunately they are in the correct holes as I checked and I think the other holes are for bull bars maybe. I really thought you hit the nail on the head there! I think shorter springs would be ideal but don't know f it's possible or where could make them. I was wondering if it could be because they have lost there tension... does this often happen with old transit leaf springs?

[Twin Wheel Burning]

Ive just stumbled on this from a January 1986 Ford Body Manual
It might help!

Thats really helpfull thanks a lot for that!!

[Luke]

I was wondering if it could be because they have lost there tension... does this often happen with old transit leaf springs?

it could well be - measure your holes and compair them to the dimention alan posted

[Muttley]

Am I invisible here, the welding has been done incorrectly! You cant bodge about with shorter springs for gods sake Get the guy to do the job properly or get someone who knows what they are doing to do it. I have been welding Transits for over 30 years and have never had springs not fit after welding. There is no point measuring things as you have stated that all was well before the welding. The hangers fit around the rear of the crossmember which is obviously in the wrong place.

[ake]

Am I invisible here, the welding has been done incorrectly! You cant bodge about with shorter springs for gods sake Get the guy to do the job properly or get someone who knows what they are doing to do it. I have been welding Transits for over 30 years and have never had springs not fit after welding. There is no point measuring things as you have stated that all was well before the welding. The hangers fit around the rear of the crossmember which is obviously in the wrong place.

Who said that

[Luke]

Am I invisible here, the welding has been done incorrectly! You cant bodge about with shorter springs for gods sake Get the guy to do the job properly or get someone who knows what they are doing to do it. I have been welding Transits for over 30 years and have never had springs not fit after welding. There is no point measuring things as you have stated that all was well before the welding. The hangers fit around the rear of the crossmember which is obviously in the wrong place.

how do you know its in the wrong place why not just measure it then we'll be sure - 2 mins work and alans even posted the dimentions ford work to

[Twin Wheel Burning]

I really appreciate all your help! I have come to the conclusion that there is no way round this but to chop them out and get them put back properly. I wish I could weld good enough to do them myself. I wonder if I will have to buy the cross member and hangers again or weather the ones that are there now will be able to be re used.

[Muttley]

Am I invisible here, the welding has been done incorrectly! You cant bodge about with shorter springs for gods sake Get the guy to do the job properly or get someone who knows what they are doing to do it. I have been welding Transits for over 30 years and have never had springs not fit after welding. There is no point measuring things as you have stated that all was well before the welding. The hangers fit around the rear of the crossmember which is obviously in the wrong place.

how do you know its in the wrong place why not just measure it then we'll be sure - 2 mins work and alans even posted the dimentions ford work to

How do I know? He says there was no problem before the welding, springs dont "grow" When you replace the front crossmember you have first measure the spring mounting dimensions and record them (I use a high tech bit of welding rod) then chop it out back to the original flange on the front of the chassis, this is usually a bit rotten too. Proper job involves reparing the chassis to its original dimensions, bodge job involves whacking the member in without measuring anything. Before I weld anything its all tacked in place then checked with the rod to make sure all is well. If the springs didnt fit after the welding but did before the it stands to reason that the welding is at fault What would measuring prove? Only that the hangers are in the wrong place