leather check strap & my axle box section

I have the 2 leather check straps for my rear axle – part numbers are 237100 and 274469.

I believe the standard axle that these are design for does NOT have the strengthening box section under the axle tube (on the LHS/passenger side of the car) – shown in photo.

So the strap (although a tad longer than the one on the RHS) does not appear to be long enough to go around the box section and back up. At the moment, I have loosely fastened the top hole in the strap to the bottom hole on the chassis.

I could squeeze the springs up towards the chassis and attach the strap, but I think this would not be a good idea – I think the strap would be overly tight and either the suspension would not be level and/or the strap will break.

Unless I am missing something, I am thinking either:

• I somehow get a longer strap that accommodates the box section (but I can’t see one on the suppliers websites at the moment) OR
• I get a similar piece of leather and make my own OR
• I cut a horizontal slit through each side of the box section and thread my strap through it, so it is effectively just going around the axle tube.

I presume i need these check straps - if nothing else, to protect the shocks?

My recent axle tube had no strengthening pieces, but I’ve seen them above and below the axle, if axle itself has not suffered as mine did rusting out and getting pinholes I would just cut off the offending bit to allow it to rest on tube rather than the box section.
you can buy the strengthening bits to weld on top if concerned
could buy 1 extra strap and join them

I’ve never had any fitted. I’m not brave enough to get my 60 year old series in a situation where it leaves the ground. On any wheel.

steve2286w said:

My recent axle tube had no strengthening pieces, but I’ve seen them above and below the axle, if axle itself has not suffered as mine did rusting out and getting pinholes I would just cut off the offending bit to allow it to rest on tube rather than the box section.
you can buy the strengthening bits to weld on top if concerned
could buy 1 extra strap and join them

Click to expand...

As per your suggestion, I went with cutting slits in each side of the box section so i could thread the strap through and it will rest on the tube section. Just about to slap some paint on the holes, and will finish off tomorrow. Cheers

You are correct in thinking the check straps are to prevent the shock/damper eye getting torn off.
I did a lot of RTV trials in my 2a at one time and removed the straps for more articulation. Did tear off a couple of eyes but solved the issue by fitting Transit shocks [ things like extended shocks were not available at that time ] For every day use I recon you would be fine without straps

sprie said:

As per your suggestion, I went with cutting slits in each side of the box section so i could thread the strap through and it will rest on the tube section. Just about to slap some paint on the holes, and will finish off tomorrow. Cheers

Click to expand...

That sounds like a horrible solution. Surely the edges of the holes will just slice through the strap in short order. No idea why you even want to fit the straps tbh.

Our 2a had the strengthening sections on the axle and straps without a problem.