Springwinders and metallurgists

4435

Member
I have broken two of these springs on my ZT. Don't understand why. They are expensive and getting hard to come by. If anyone can tell me what the breaks mean I would appreciate it.
I used a spring scale it took approximately 75 pounds to stretch from eye to eye. when stretched there is about the diameter of the spring wire between coils. Thanks Tom
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While you still have an intact spring to measure, go to McMaster.com and search for "extension springs". Should be able to find a match by dimensions, including wire diameter, and they don't cost much. Mite give one a try, who knows, it might be better quality than what you've been getting and CHEAPER.
 
From your photos, I can see no reason why even a cheap spring might break. Either some really horrible springs, or there's something else somehow affecting the spring material.

Maybe the springs were hardened too much during manufacturing?

I think Bob probably has the best idea here. If you get a spring from a different trusted source and it happens again, then you can safely rule out defective springs.
 
You could also have a vibration problem. Spring is vibrating like a
string on an instrument. Fatigue failure. the others have said , also
look into a spring with a short body but has a long hooking reach.
Non flexing part. Also have springs like that on MTD deck tensioner
spring and a Husqvarna idler for the deck. Creative thinking. Other
springs could fix you up. Could just be crappy springs.
 

I had a very similar problem with the belt tensioning springs on my John Deere ride on mower . The correct replacements kept breaking and cost an arm and a leg . In desperation after breaking yet another and having no spare I used a spring from my daughter's old trampoline . It's still there , almost ten years after with nary a problem since .
 
Have you replaced the belt and gotten a shorter belt? Thus putting more pressure on that spring.
 
That looks like a lot of stretch on that spring, and the belt isn't installed yet. You might want to check an Associated Spring catalog or a Lee Spring catalog to see what the working limit is for that spring. In factory production equipment we limited spring loads to under half the maximum to avoid early spring failures. Consumer products may not be as picky.
 
Thanks to all who replied, gives me some ideas. ss55, if you see this that is the correct belt length. When installed the spring arm is about 1/2" further from the stop. Thanks Tom
 

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