Leaf springs for Mk2 escort?

[james05111]

I just bought a mk 2 escort and was wondering if anyone knows where to get cheap leafs, bushes etc and how to change them, preferably from Adelaide.

[freeo75]

Hi James, I don't have any but the escort van came out with 4 leaf springs as standard and were a really good way of stiffening up the back end - got lots of other bits and happy to chat about esky stuff and I'm in Radelaide in Plympton park
Geoff 0411 484776
Slater_75@hotmail.com

[allanv6gt]

RE bushes...go poly PolyBush, Noltec or SuperPro (my choice, but more $$). Cheapies will do the job but may lack right amount of compliance - harder is not best.

Bit of spanner work, drill thru rubber and thread the fret saw thru new hole in rubber cut around to de-rubber old one, hacksaw to cut old bush sleeve, hammer and punch/chisel/dead big screwdriver to deform old sleeve, and a vice to push the new ones in with a large socket e.g. 27mm (handle end to bush) and some kitchen detergent to make 'em slippery. Gently squeeze em in....

Some people burn them out but it stinks and lots of black smoke (burning rubber isn't it !!)
Both sides 2hrs. Easy peasy job.

And you may as well replace the saddle and shackle bushes while you are at it.

Re Spings, check out King Springs and others. May be able to get *new* springs for an Escort (more popular than Capri !!)

[Grandmaspec]

king springs do a leaf 2.5" lower than standard (dunno about the legalities) and if you're feeling rich I got some koni adjustables made up which I wouldn't recommend for daily driving but make corners a treat. best get fronts and rears though. bilstien make even better ones but $$$

[allanv6gt]

Re-reading this it dawned on me that the spring bushes actually come in two halves, so fit easily with a gentle push and lube.
*Always* fit crush tube *after* fitting the bush. The lack thereof gives the new bush room to move when sliding into the spring eye.
The push-in-vice method is for some other bush which my memory escapes me at the moment (maybe Capri rear radius arms?) - it's been a few years since I last did this job.