slight curve in spring plates - which way to mount?
 

Hi all,

I'm about to reassemble my rear suspension (just had the parts out for fresh cad plating), and I noticed that my spring plates both have a slight curve in them. They're both pretty much identical, and no, I didn't bend them during removal. The cleaning/plating left virtually no indicators of which way they were originally attached.

Which way should I assemble them? I suspect that if I have the concave side of the bend toward the t-bar holder, it may just flatten out against the holder as I tighten things together.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1300204139.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1300204163.jpg

They naturally curve the way you describe and flex during travel.

So does it not matter which way I mount them then?

I would arrange so the concave side faces the splined portion of the spring plate. When you tighten the halves together with the bolts, it will tend to flatten out.

The only real issue with the curve is seating the bushings. As Milt points out, the spring plates bend in operation.

But if you want to be picky, use a shop press to straighten those out.