Crimping of rear spring washer

[Tom L.]

Regarding a C3, can anyone make a suggestion regarding how best to crimp the washers that go through the the spring and the trailing arms. I can't find a tool for that purpose. Thanks.

[Tom L.]

It may be called a retaining cup? *NM*

[Barbara S.]

Re: It may be called a retaining cup?

There is a crimping tool. Works great.

[Chuck S.]

Re: It may be called a retaining cup?

Use a largish ballpein hammer with the ball end in the retaining cup nipple. Start the nipple deformation by hammering the opposite end of the ballpein with another hammer. You will want to support the retaining cup on the flat inside surface of the cup to keep it from being deformed on the wrong side. Once you get the cup nipple deformation far enough, you can hammer the nipple the rest of the way flat on the top side of the spring leaf. The retaining cup material is very malleable, and this technique works like a charm.

[Gary B.]

Re: Crimping of rear spring washer

Tom,

Are the spring and T-arms in the car? Or out?

Gary

[Tom L.]

They're out of the car. *NM*

[Ray G.]

Re: Crimping of rear spring washer, caution

Hello;
Remember, if you hit two hammer heads together they might shatter like glass and the shards are dangerous..
Possibly getting into your eye and causing serious damage.
Don't asked me how I know this.
Another method is the back side of a large socket in a press or large vice to start the tapered expansion.
Hope that helps.
Ray