Repairing a precision spring.

[Gareth J]

I smoothed the "clutch"spring on my old Johnson outboard a couple days ago. Not too sure what happened but it kinked in the middle.

Originally looks like this;

Now, it's kinked in the middle. The bit above and below the link are perfect.

I want to try to repair this as I can't seem to find a replacement source in his country and if it all goes wrong, worst case, I'll have to braze the gear on and do away with the clutch.

I'll post a pic of the damaged one later but any suggestions? Do i try to carefully keep heat in the bit that needs to be recent? Or get the whole lot hot and rearrange.

I think I'll be more successful only heating the deformed bit if that's possible as the shape needs to be pretty accurate as the spring grips the prop shaft with its inside as drive shaft spins.

 

[Shox Dr]

I used to have custom springs made by BPS springs in Lancs. might be worth a call.
Also theres a web site called doorhandlesprings they also make springs to order

 

[500e]

Try

Graham J Durnall (Director)

Coil Springs Direct Ltd.

Enhancing and de-risking your operation.

Supplying your springs when & how you want to receive them.

Tel: +44 (0)121 557 3081

Fax: +44 (0)121 520 4983

Mob: +44 (0)7785 906523

email: sales@springsdirect.co.uk

web: www.springsdirect.co.uk

 

[cumbriasteve]

There is only a small chance but I have or had a box of Evinrude bits from a few outboards, as you probably know both E and J shared most parts.

Am passing the garage Thursday so will pop in and have a quick look, if there is one you can have it... but don't get too excited..there is a lot of if's, not been in the loft for a few years.

You can get one from the good old USA of course, they have a much better spares back up than us, maybe even one of our American forum members could help source and post a lot cheaper than the average £50 it costs to buy and get delivered.

 

[Gareth J]

Yes, I'm looking at £50 to get it imported by a dealer. The litte machine isn't worth that and I'll just glue the gear on permenantly and dispense with the clutch.

I don't think getting a one off made will work, not for the ~£50 I can get one imported for. Especially bearing in mind I'm not willing to spend that much anyway.

Thanks @cumbriasteve that would be a fantastic solution.....if.

I guess I could have a go at it cold, I don't know if it would bend or snap though!

Thanks for all the replies

 

[pedrobedro]

Heat it up and do it then re-temper it. As above you have nothing to lose as it's already shot. Heat it to cherry and do what you want then dunk it in oil in a can then heat it again just till the oil burns off and dunk it again then repeat a couple of times. I've done it a few times with knife back springs to re-tension them and only had one fail. I use a propane blow lamp and a bean tin of engine oil so you don't need any fancy gear.

 

[Shox Dr]

I wouldn't discount having one wound.

Rear spring for a Mountain bike, 650lbs/ins, cost less than 20quid

 

[Gareth J]

It's already f... - can't f.. it no more

Sort of but it is still in one piece, so snapping it would certainly f. it up some more!

I wouldn't discount having one wound.

Rear spring for a Mountain bike, 650lbs/ins, cost less than 20quid

View attachment 96672

That sounds pretty reasonable but I still remain sceptical, this "spring" isn't a spring inthe traditional sense. It grips and transfers drive when turned in the right direction. I wouldn't even know how to describe it's properties to someone making a replacement. Although I do have the old one to give as a guide. Its worth an email with a photo for sure though, thanks.

 

[Shox Dr]

Give them a call, I used to have them wind springs to my specifications they were very good.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

@johnser Can you post up the dimensions - length, external & internal diameters? I have a box of springs which look similar [except for the tang] and I'll have a guddle to see if there's anything suitable.

 

[Gareth J]

Well, it's far from perfect but seems to be holding

The bosses it fits onto help hold it all together.

Heated and bent the bent bits back before heating and quenching, then attempting to anneal as per pedrobedro's suggestion.

It works as it should out of the water and so long as I don't drop the clutch too hard or hit anything in the water, shouldn't be too stressed.

Thanks for all the suggestions... Hopefully I won't have to revisit this next time I get in the water!

CumbriaSteve, if you get chance to look and do have a spare, I'd be happy to buy it. I'm not 100% confident this will last.

 

[pedrobedro]

Nothing venture nothing gain as they say. It's worth a try and all it's cost you is a bit of time, oil and gas.

 

[cumbriasteve]

CumbriaSteve, if you get chance to look and do have a spare, I'd be happy to buy it. I'm not 100% confident this will last.

If there is one it's yours for free, my days of sitting in a boat freezing my bits off and drowning lugworm are long gone.... Will update on my search Thursday

 

[Robotstar5]

Another company with a good reputation is Springmasters

 

[Gareth J]

Thanks all.

If there is one it's yours for free, my days of sitting in a boat freezing my bits off and drowning lugworm are long gone.... Will update on my search Thursday

Thanks a lot. Don't put yourself out though, I'm of a similar opinion to you re. "boating" to be honest. My maritime buddy is skipping the country next year so the motorised Canadian canoe, this little Johnson and all the hideous seagull abominations might as well be sold. Or, as I threatened on Sunday, dropped in the canal.

 

[500e]

Our Seagull ended its days in the Bristol Chanel I told it one more pull & over you go It did not listen

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Our Seagull ended its days in the Bristol Chanel I told it one more pull & over you go It did not listen

Hope you hadn't forgotten the oars.

 

[mpats]

Our Seagull ended its days in the Bristol Chanel I told it one more pull & over you go It did not listen

I recall a particularly nice long row over the west coast after the seagull we had on grandpa's boat decided it was going to have the rest of the day off. Used to be most enjoyable going out with it, wondering if it would throw a hissy fit.

 

[Gareth J]

Uugh, well I'm supposed to be doing a seagull "race" (an oxymoron if ever I heard one) again this year over Christmas. Unfortunately we entered last year and won our category so I've got to go in order to take the trophy back I've just had the privilege of getting engraved.

Being rather competitive, I'd like to win outright this year, or, even better look like we might win but then loose with spectacular engine failure! But that will involve getting a seagull to do more than just plod along noisily. Modern prop, modern carb, filled head with weld, port matched a bit .... I think the prop may have helped a bit but the rest, I don't think has made any difference.

It's very tempting to just post the trophy back and be done with it.

 

[Shox Dr]

Uugh, well I'm supposed to be doing a seagull "race" (an oxymoron if ever I heard one) again this year over Christmas. Unfortunately we entered last year and won our category so I've got to go in order to take the trophy back I've just had the privilege of getting engraved.

Being rather competitive, I'd like to win outright this year, or, even better look like we might win but then loose with spectacular engine failure! But that will involve getting a seagull to do more than just plod along noisily. Modern prop, modern carb, filled head with weld, port matched a bit .... I think the prop may have helped a bit but the rest, I don't think has made any difference.

It's very tempting to just post the trophy back and be done with it.

Grumble...get on with it, you know you want to