tricon

I did not know the similarities Akaile. I guess it is my ignorance. There is/was a big Greek/Italian community here and I would guess the major European influence. Northern Europe is not well represented and it follows you do not learn about the culture.

We do have to be very adaptive as when you travel into the country there is little of anything except sun and sand. In some ways the opposite of your experience.

There is a television show (only 4 episodes) called “Bush Mechanic” (it is slang). You can see it here if the link works:

The people in the show are very good at making sure their car keeps going.

I worked in central Australia and yes I had to be very adaptive especially when troubleshooting and repairing technical equipment. You simply could not obtain spare parts and you had to fix what you had.

The mechanics begin after 3 minutes. There are another 3 shows plus the trial show for initial funding.

I learned a lot from my father (he was very good with a file) unfortunately my son is not interested. After 15 minutes all he wants to do is play soccer/football.

I forgot to add Wonderi that Der Franzose do offer good postage. The items arrive one Month after payment.

Daniel.

The detail you have provided has helped me a lot, Akaile. Thank you.

What you have noted about the pots being cut (or different) is one of the reasons why I do not want to buy parts that could be incorrect.

My research has suggested that the “Old” springs are longer than the new ones (by about 15mm) and that the tie rods are also longer again 15mm.

I was worried that by purchasing new parts the car would ride too high. I was going to purchase the “long” eyelet to compensate for the shorter parts. I may do this anyway.

Long eyelet:
https://www.burton2cvparts.com/tie-rod-end-eye-long-p-5171.html

I am aware that the hexagonal end may be a problem but there are other similar parts that are round.

When I purchased the car (in 1994…) It had no pots and only one set of tie rods. From memory, I purchased a pot ‘locally’ (900km away – I went for a drive…) and then copied this pot using and making what I needed.

Your comment about the springs is important. I do not know how much care was used in creating the springs. Was the ‘k’ value https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooke%27s_law was kept the same. I know you can keep it the same but only if you care (or do it yourself).

My concern was that the springs on each side of the car are different and the car may ride incorrectly. This could be compensated but now that the car has an extra 6hp (from the 1960’s 425cc motor) who knows what could happen! :-).

I have an old 2CV manual that is missing many pages. I found the manual here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/su2vakktkj6oei6/jF3qLo415w

It is the 447 Slough Manual.

It shows the construction of the Cinnamon Springs:

Any my newer double bump springs:

So my springs are missing the extra bump stop. The sizes are the same on both sides of the car. I think this side is the pot I purchased.

I remember my grandmother having trouble with metric when Australia converted in the mid-1970s. It was a good move. I did not know the full process took 17 years (1971-1988). Yes lucky we use SI units, but why did Citroen use 11mm and 7mm threads! :-(. I can purchase a Chinese die to fix the thread. I will see if there are any manufacturers of longer lasting tools. My local company (Sutton) only makes the M11x1,5.

I had a look at Burton (I noticed from your other suspension thread this is what you used). Parts look good and the price is fair. Shipping two new pots (and other related items) to Australia €440 :-(. This is an estimate so I can contact them and see if they have other options. I would suggest this price is for air courier, not the postal service.

Thank you for the tip of opposite rotating springs. The pictures show this but I never realised (or considered it).

I will contact Burton to see how they can help me. As previously mentioned no company I have contacted (and, yes, I understand communication is difficult and I am on the other side of the world – repeat sales are difficult) have been very good at technical sales. This included a few English companies. The understanding and help you have provided has been exceptional. Thank you.

Thank you for your help. With Summer arriving I will have time and good weather to finally drive the car that has sat with me for so long.

Cheers,

Daniel.

Thank you for your detailed reply Akaile,

Why the Finnish forum? Luck I think. I found the forum early this year after purchasing a motor and gearbox. The items were not as described. I requested a 10 spline gearbox for my car.

IMAGE 1 = 8 Spline Clutch Plate

(8 Spline Clutch for 8 spline gearbox)

The company sent (from Europe) an 8 spline gearbox from an AK400 2CV. It was not a good experience.

So I asked a complex question on the Finnish forum.

My question was the differences between 8 spline and 10 spline gearboxes. Perhaps it should have also been 2CV ratios and AK400 ratios in the gearbox. I went back to my mechanical engineering university books. 10 spline = more torque.

The Finnish forum appeared to be technically superior to other sites I found.

The problems I have:

-> Springs were rusted/seized. To free the springs they were soaked in kerosene and then pots hit with a hammer.

-> I only had one set of springs. The springs were copied by a spring maker here in Australia. I do not think the springs on each side of the car are the same.

-> I am missing suspension parts. My car is new enough to not have “Cinnamon Buns”. It has two bump stops at one end and one at the other. I need to buy the bump stops.

-> The tie rods threads are partially stripped. This is my major concern. The rust has caused damage to the threads. I do not want the suspension to fail while driving.

Some photographs of one side:

IMAGE 2 = Tie Rod

IMAGE 3 = Connection to chassis

IMAGE 4 = Overall Suspension

IMAGE 5 = Connection To Chassis

IMAGE 6 = Pot Lenght

As you can see I have the “newer” suspension with two bump stops at one end and one bump stop at the other. I do not have the cinnamon bun springs (very nice description by the way). I am missing one bump stop. So I need to buy this.

If it is about looks rather than physical attachment (new pots are too big for my old car). I am happy. My car is not built to be original (it is yellow, not grey :-). I use new lights at the rear, I have electric wipers, I found and bought an 18hp 425cc engine (a very patient person from France helped me). I did not fit the 602cc engine as there would be too many changes required. The car will be 12v etc..

I may not need a stainless pot (I have no snow and salt). I have considered it. I will simply replace the parts as the car sat outdoors (mainly) for 20+ years.

It is good to know that I can fit new parts to an old car. I contacted several parts companies (even in the UK) and no company could advise me of this. I want to get the car on the road again. I am worried I will become a 2CV parts store as I have purchased so many incorrect parts. I am happy to learn from mistakes. I simply need to make fewer expensive ones 🙂

Thank you for your help and I hope some of this helps others also.

Regards,

Daniel.