[xk] leaf spring gaiters

XK
1

Len,
I don’t know about the 150, but the 120’s had them. In fact, when we put our
very original FHC a lift for the first time after buying it, the original
gaiters were still in tact. The lacing was in shreds, but the leather was
there. There are a few suppliers of gaiters, but the best come from a
company in UK. I can’t recall the name at the moment, but can find out of
you like. Theirs are of very stout leather and fit perfectly. Some of the
ones that are supplied in the US have the bulged out area for the spring
clamps in the wrong place.
All the best,
Knight----- Original Message -----
From: “Len Wheeler” lenscats@comcast.net
To: XK@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 7:11 PM
Subject: [xk] leaf spring gaiters

I recently had the opportunity to see a XK 150 up on the lift and noticed
it was equipped with rear leaf spring gaiters. Is this normal, I could not
find a part number for gaiters in my parts book for a 150

Len Wheeler

2

I recently had the opportunity to see a XK 150 up on the lift and noticed it
was equipped with rear leaf spring gaiters. Is this normal, I could not
find a part number for gaiters in my parts book for a 150

Len Wheeler

3

I have seen them on 120’s & 140’s but I am shaky about them being on a 150.
I really went over the parts book and could not fine them listed.

L----- Original Message -----
From: “Knight Martorell” pkm120@earthlink.net
To: xk@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 5:24 PM
Subject: Re: [xk] leaf spring gaiters

Len,
I don’t know about the 150, but the 120’s had them. In fact, when we put
our very original FHC a lift for the first time after buying it, the
original gaiters were still in tact. The lacing was in shreds, but the
leather was there. There are a few suppliers of gaiters, but the best come
from a company in UK. I can’t recall the name at the moment, but can find
out of you like. Theirs are of very stout leather and fit perfectly. Some
of the ones that are supplied in the US have the bulged out area for the
spring clamps in the wrong place.
All the best,
Knight
----- Original Message -----
From: “Len Wheeler” <@Len_Wheeler2>
To: XK@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 7:11 PM
Subject: [xk] leaf spring gaiters

I recently had the opportunity to see a XK 150 up on the lift and noticed
it was equipped with rear leaf spring gaiters. Is this normal, I could
not find a part number for gaiters in my parts book for a 150

Len Wheeler

4

The theory is that all XK120 and all XK140 had rear-leaf-spring
leather-gaiters, complete with grease-nipples fitted.

All XK150 did-NOT have gaiters, using a new design leaf-spring that had
rubber-buffers indented within main leaf, being a short lived new design,
before being replaced with a new-design that had plastic interleaves between
spring leaves.

The theory says this change was exact with the last XK140 having gaiters,
the first XK150 not having them, however in practice always open to comment
of anyone with a very early/original XK150, but to date, not aware of any.

Roger Payne - XK140MC OTS; E-Type 4.2 S.1 OTS; DSV8.
Canberra.-----Original Message-----
From: owner-xk@jag-lovers.org [mailto:owner-xk@jag-lovers.org] On Behalf Of
Knight Martorell
Sent: Thursday, 19 August 2010 10:24 AM
To: xk@jag-lovers.org
Subject: Re: [xk] leaf spring gaiters

Len,
I don’t know about the 150, but the 120’s had them. In fact, when we put our

very original FHC a lift for the first time after buying it, the original
gaiters were still in tact. The lacing was in shreds, but the leather was
there. There are a few suppliers of gaiters, but the best come from a
company in UK. I can’t recall the name at the moment, but can find out of
you like. Theirs are of very stout leather and fit perfectly. Some of the
ones that are supplied in the US have the bulged out area for the spring
clamps in the wrong place.
All the best,
Knight
----- Original Message -----
From: “Len Wheeler” lenscats@comcast.net
To: XK@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 7:11 PM
Subject: [xk] leaf spring gaiters

I recently had the opportunity to see a XK 150 up on the lift and noticed
it was equipped with rear leaf spring gaiters. Is this normal, I could not

find a part number for gaiters in my parts book for a 150

Len Wheeler

5

In reply to a message from Len Wheeler sent Thu 19 Aug 2010:

Len,

I believe Knight is correct. I read somewhere that gaitors were
not installed on the 150.

Frank–
'66 Healey,'61 XK150,'07 Vette
Auburn, CA, United States
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6

Roger,
Confirming your information, my Sep 1957 XK150 had no gaiters. Of the
forward pointing spring leaves , 4 have the indentations and of the
rearward, 5 have them. I haven’t looked to see what is in there yet.

Gene McGough
XK-150 FHC S834515DN
XJ6C II 1976----- Original Message -----
From: “Roger Payne” rogerpayne@bigblue.net.au
To: xk@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 1:17 AM
Subject: RE: [xk] leaf spring gaiters

The theory is that all XK120 and all XK140 had rear-leaf-spring
leather-gaiters, complete with grease-nipples fitted.

All XK150 did-NOT have gaiters, using a new design leaf-spring that had
rubber-buffers indented within main leaf, being a short lived new design,
before being replaced with a new-design that had plastic interleaves
between
spring leaves.

The theory says this change was exact with the last XK140 having gaiters,
the first XK150 not having them, however in practice always open to
comment
of anyone with a very early/original XK150, but to date, not aware of any.

Roger Payne - XK140MC OTS; E-Type 4.2 S.1 OTS; DSV8.
Canberra.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-xk@jag-lovers.org [mailto:owner-xk@jag-lovers.org] On Behalf
Of
Knight Martorell
Sent: Thursday, 19 August 2010 10:24 AM
To: xk@jag-lovers.org
Subject: Re: [xk] leaf spring gaiters

Len,
I don’t know about the 150, but the 120’s had them. In fact, when we put
our

very original FHC a lift for the first time after buying it, the original
gaiters were still in tact. The lacing was in shreds, but the leather was
there. There are a few suppliers of gaiters, but the best come from a
company in UK. I can’t recall the name at the moment, but can find out of
you like. Theirs are of very stout leather and fit perfectly. Some of the
ones that are supplied in the US have the bulged out area for the spring
clamps in the wrong place.
All the best,
Knight
----- Original Message -----
From: “Len Wheeler” lenscats@comcast.net
To: XK@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 7:11 PM
Subject: [xk] leaf spring gaiters

I recently had the opportunity to see a XK 150 up on the lift and noticed
it was equipped with rear leaf spring gaiters. Is this normal, I could
not

find a part number for gaiters in my parts book for a 150

Len Wheeler

7

In reply to a message from Gene McGough sent Fri 20 Aug 2010:

Gene,

I had an exchange with Roger, just over two years ago on
the subject of the transition from gaiters to buttons to
interleafs.
Also, I posted some photos of what I used for spring liners
on my restoration.

Regards,
Monte
1960 DHC
S838594
www.jag-lovers.org/snaps/snap_view.php3?id=1204832374_________________________
In reply to a message from Roger Payne sent Tue 13 May 2008:

Roger’s description of the part numbers is supported by the
Jaguar Service Bulletins.
1958 Jaguar Service Bulletin 249: Rear suspension: springs:
Commencing -/830960,824551/835671, 827168/837573 the rear
springs were fitted with ‘‘full length nylon interleaving
between the top and second leaves’’. Part nos. were spring
with interleaf C14476, interleaf C13109/2. ‘‘If complaints
of rear spring squeak were received on cars with springs
with rubber buttons, a nylon interleaf could be fitted. The
longer end of the interleaf would have to have 2’’ cut out
of it before fitting.’’
And from a Jaguar bulletin in June of 1959 (Rear
suspension: spring interleaving): ‘‘If the interleaving has
a tendency to work out from between the leaves, the end of
each rear spring should be bound with plastic or similar
tape from the spring eyes to a point just short of the
adjacent clip.’’
Service Bulletin 275 (November 1959) indicates the
nylon leaves became a standard factory change. American
manufacturers have also used liners sometimes with nylon,
sometimes with different plastics. I understand that MoPar
at one time used zinc strips between the leaves.
In the restoration of my 1960 XK150, I used new springs,
with smooth ends and spring liners. The liner material is a
special compound of poly-vinyl plastic that has a very
‘‘slippery’’ surface that works as a permanent dry lubricant
to eliminate interleaf friction and squeaking. It also
features a small lip on each side to keep it in place. It’s
offered in different widths, including 1 3/4 inch wide to
match the Jaguar
springs.
I understand it is also possible to apply a Teflon coating,
using powder coating equipment.
Regards,
Monte
S838594

p8099
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8

Thanks guys! you have confirmed my suspicions that 150’s did not have the
gaiters.

Len Wheeler----- Original Message -----
From: “p8099” monte.edwards@verizon.net
To: xk@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 12:04 PM
Subject: Re: [xk] leaf spring gaiters

In reply to a message from Gene McGough sent Fri 20 Aug 2010:

Gene,

I had an exchange with Roger, just over two years ago on
the subject of the transition from gaiters to buttons to
interleafs.
Also, I posted some photos of what I used for spring liners
on my restoration.

Regards,
Monte
1960 DHC
S838594
www.jag-lovers.org/snaps/snap_view.php3?id=1204832374

In reply to a message from Roger Payne sent Tue 13 May 2008:

Roger’s description of the part numbers is supported by the
Jaguar Service Bulletins.
1958 Jaguar Service Bulletin 249: Rear suspension: springs:
Commencing -/830960,824551/835671, 827168/837573 the rear
springs were fitted with ‘‘full length nylon interleaving
between the top and second leaves’’. Part nos. were spring
with interleaf C14476, interleaf C13109/2. ‘‘If complaints
of rear spring squeak were received on cars with springs
with rubber buttons, a nylon interleaf could be fitted. The
longer end of the interleaf would have to have 2’’ cut out
of it before fitting.‘’
And from a Jaguar bulletin in June of 1959 (Rear
suspension: spring interleaving): ‘‘If the interleaving has
a tendency to work out from between the leaves, the end of
each rear spring should be bound with plastic or similar
tape from the spring eyes to a point just short of the
adjacent clip.’’
Service Bulletin 275 (November 1959) indicates the
nylon leaves became a standard factory change. American
manufacturers have also used liners sometimes with nylon,
sometimes with different plastics. I understand that MoPar
at one time used zinc strips between the leaves.
In the restoration of my 1960 XK150, I used new springs,
with smooth ends and spring liners. The liner material is a
special compound of poly-vinyl plastic that has a very
‘‘slippery’’ surface that works as a permanent dry lubricant
to eliminate interleaf friction and squeaking. It also
features a small lip on each side to keep it in place. It’s
offered in different widths, including 1 3/4 inch wide to
match the Jaguar
springs.
I understand it is also possible to apply a Teflon coating,
using powder coating equipment.
Regards,
Monte
S838594

p8099
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php –

9

I would like to have my upholsterer make a set of gaiters for my XK120. Can anyone point me to a source of photos and/or drawings we can use as a guide? Thank you.

john

10

John,

I gathered a number of photos of XK gaiters over the years. Will send you this document per PM. It contains XK 120, 140 and 150 versions. The rear springs for the XK 120 and XK 140 are identical, but the SPC doesn’t list the gaiters for the latter, nor for the XK 150. I also noticed the name WEFCO Ltd of Bristol UK, as (original?) supplier of these gaiters.
Some examples already attached: both pics show gaiters for the XK 120 and thus XK 140.

Bob K.

image

image

11

Can’t decide about gaiters…to me, they seem like a water trap waiting to happen. I’ve thought of wrapping the springs in hessian strip soaked in that grease that they wrap underground elctrical cable junctions with (can’t remember the name of it at the moment). Somewhat messy, but effective at keeping the leaves lubricated, I would have thought?

12

Had to goofle Hessian strip, it is called jute webbing here, used under chairs.
image

Here is something some vintage MG people do.

IMG_20210912_111743033_HDR
IMG_20210912_111743033_HDR839×472 96 KB

IMG_20210912_111749902_HDR
IMG_20210912_111749902_HDR839×472 90.6 KB

13

Are you thinking of Denso tape…Steve

14

Chris,

A gaiter is not necessary as later XK 150 springs didn’t have these gaiters. Jaguar decided to put nylon interleaves between the main and second leaf. This is some sort of “hard wearing” thin plastic strip (like modern HDPE which also has a very low friction coefficient), just as wide as the spring leaves. I did that on my old XK 140 and it went well: no greasing required anymore.

Bob K.

15

Chris;
Proper XK Gaiters are made of leather. They also “tie-off” at each end, so it’s a “fair to Midland”
chance “seepage” should not be a “serious” issue (in other words, they WILL “leak” [grease]… some!)
Unless the XK’s running gear is totally submerged in water, I do not see water infiltration into the rear leaf’s gaiters… CAN water get inside the gaiters?? probably… I removed my gaiters (probably original, definitely NOT maintained!!) when the 120 was twenty-two years old (and I used it as a daily driver for eight of those years) and I saw/found NO Evidence of water infiltration into the gaiters… Was their “surface rust”?? Yes! But NO “metal damage” causing serious rust, at all!! I’ll be reusing my original leaf springs at reassembly.
Charles Ch #677556.

16

Thanks everyone. I like the idea of wrapping them with jute, but it’s more for originality sake and not practicality. Going thru the trouble and expense, I’d like them to be beyond criticism. I saved these pictures from a recent BaT sale. These must be original, no?

john

Gaters1
Gaters12048×1536 379 KB

Gaters2
Gaters22048×1536 437 KB

17

Denso tape definitely rings a bell, Steve. A friend in the ar trade told me that’s what they used to use back in the '40s & '50s.

18

Interesting article, Rob. Having looked at the results, I’m now thinking gaiters might be the way to go!! Hmmm…

19

The gaiters have grease nipples front and rear of axle so if put on with grease and grease pumped in with each service you would think this would exclude the water?

20

I took mine apart, checked, sandblasted and powder coated the leaves, then applied “Slip Plate No1” on all leaves bevore reasembly. This is a heavy duty dry lubricant, does not attract dust and does not washing away :+1:
The original gaiters are missing since many decades thus I will not install some gaiters for the moment.

IMG_20211219_234238~2
IMG_20211219_234238~21920×1440 241 KB

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