PIA TRAINING CENTRE (PTC) Module 7A - MAINTENANCE PRACTICES

Category – A/B1 Sub Module 7.10 – Springs

MODULE 7A
Sub Module 7.10

SPRINGS

ISO 9001:2008 Certified For Training Purpose Only

PTC/CM/B1.1 Basic/M7A/01 Rev. 01
7.10 Nov 2017
 PIA TRAINING CENTRE (PTC) Module 7A - MAINTENANCE PRACTICES
Category – A/B1 Sub Module 7.10 – Springs

Contents

INSPECTION AND TESTING OF SPRINGS ----------------------- 1

ISO 9001:2008 Certified For Training Purpose Only

PTC/CM/B1.1 Basic/M7A/01 Rev. 01
7.10 - i Nov 2017
 PIA TRAINING CENTRE (PTC) Module 7A - MAINTENANCE PRACTICES
Category – A/B1 Sub Module 7.10 – Springs

INSPECTION AND TESTING OF SPRINGS

Springs will generally require little in the way of maintenance.
Those that are in exposed areas can become corroded over
time and those in areas of high temperature can, if they become
overheated, lose their temper and cease to have the necessary
mechanical compliance to satisfy the task for which they were
designed.
Corrosion that occurs on static springs can reduce the loads
that the spring can carry, whilst if a spring that carries cyclic
loads becomes corroded, then the combination of fatigue and
corrosion can result in a serious loss of fatigue strength.
The most common check, done on coil springs is on its static
measurement.
The manufacturer will publish the exact dimension of the
unloaded spring with some small tolerance, whilst the servicing
technician will accurately measure the spring’s length and
compare the two dimensions.
Providing that the spring is within the published figures, then the
spring is considered to be serviceable.

Overheating, usually shown as blistering of the surface

protection can, in extreme circumstances, show a change of
colour of the metal due to the loss of temper. It must be
assumed in this event that the spring is not suitable for the
designed task.

It is important that any exposed springs are carefully inspected

for signs of either of the problems of corrosion and overheating.

In some instances, springs have to be checked against figures

or graphs to prove whether they are in a suitable condition to
continue in service. Some checks have to be done out at
prescribed intervals whilst others are done on an ‘opportunity
basis’, such as when a brake unit a hydraulic actuator is
dismantled for overhaul.

ISO 9001:2008 Certified For Training Purpose Only

PTC/CM/B1.1 Basic/M7A/01 Rev. 01
7.10 - 1 Nov 2017
 PIA TRAINING CENTRE (PTC) Module 7A - MAINTENANCE PRACTICES
Category – A/B1 Sub Module 7.10 – Springs

The other check, usually completed in a workshop environment,

is the load/deflection check.

A special test rig is used, to load the spring with either a

compressive, tensile or a torsional loading and a meter on the
rig will display the load versus deflection figures. A series of
loads are, subsequently, applied to the spring and the relevant
deflections noted.

On completion, the figures are compared to a graph, published

by the spring manufacturer, to establish the serviceability of the
spring.

If a spring fails any of these checks it is, simply, replaced by a

serviceable item.

Springs must be examined for:

 Corrosion

 Overheating

 Fatigue checking / expected life measurement

 Static Measurement

 Load / Deflection Check Spring Testing Rig

ISO 9001:2008 Certified For Training Purpose Only

PTC/CM/B1.1 Basic/M7A/01 Rev. 01
7.10 - 2 Nov 2017
 PIA TRAINING CENTRE (PTC)
Category – A/B1
Corrosion
Corrosion, that occurs on static springs, can reduce the loads
that the spring can carry, whilst if a spring that carries cyclic
loads becomes corroded, then the combination of fatigue and
corrosion can result in a serious loss of fatigue strength.
A corroded spring
Overheating
Overheating, usually shown as blistering of the surface
protection can, in extreme circumstances, show a change of
color of the metal due to the loss of temper. It must be assumed
in this event that the spring is not suitable for the designed task.
It is important that any exposed springs are carefully inspected
for signs of either of the problems of corrosion and overheating.
ISO 9001:2008 Certified
PTC/CM/B1.1 Basic/M7A/01
7.10 - 3
Module 7A - MAINTENANCE PRACTICES
Sub Module 7.10 – Springs
Fatigue checking / expected life measurement
In some instances, springs have to be checked against figures
or graphs to prove whether they are in a suitable condition to
continue in service. Some checks have to be done out at
prescribed intervals whilst others are done on an ‘opportunity
basis’, such as when a brake unit a hydraulic actuator is
dismantled for overhaul.
Static measurement
The most common check, done on coil springs is on its static
measurement.
The manufacturer will publish the exact dimension of the
unloaded spring with some small tolerance, whilst the servicing
technician will accurately measure the spring’s length and
compare the two dimensions.
Providing that the spring is within the published figures, then the
spring is considered to be serviceable.
Load / deflection check
The other check, usually completed in a workshop environment,
is the load/deflection check.
A special test rig is used, to load the spring with either a
compressive, tensile or a torsional loading and a meter on the
rig will display the load versus deflection figures.
For Training Purpose Only
Rev. 01
Nov 2017
 PIA TRAINING CENTRE (PTC) Module 7A - MAINTENANCE PRACTICES
Category – A/B1 Sub Module 7.10 – Springs

A series of loads are, subsequently, applied to the spring and

the relevant deflections noted.

On completion, the figures are compared to a graph, published

by the spring manufacturer, to establish the serviceability of the
spring. If a spring fails any of these checks it is, simply, replaced
by a serviceable item.

ISO 9001:2008 Certified For Training Purpose Only

PTC/CM/B1.1 Basic/M7A/01 Rev. 01
7.10 - 4 Nov 2017