Series 3 How many leaves for front springs?

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Arayat

New Member
I just got new 11-leaf front springs (264563 and 265627). I think they are normally for the S III Diesel. Mine is a 2.25l petrol, which I think normally has 9-leaf springs (?).
But: I carry a spare wheel on the bonnet and I have a 'roo bar and a PTO winch. That adds around 60kg to the axle.
Should I go with the 11 leaf, or take a leaf out?
 

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You're right 9 leaves are for petrol, 11 for diesel. However I've never really understood why. "Oh the diesel is heavier" they say but it's the same block with slightly different ancilliaries, not that much of difference I would have thought to require 2 more leaves. Me? Id put 11s on and leave it like that ( no pun intended) seeing as you have a bit of extra weight up front. I wouldn't mess about splitting springs.
 
You're right 9 leaves are for petrol, 11 for diesel. However I've never really understood why. "Oh the diesel is heavier" they say but it's the same block with slightly different ancilliaries, not that much of difference I would have thought to require 2 more leaves. Me? Id put 11s on and leave it like that ( no pun intended) seeing as you have a bit of extra weight up front. I wouldn't mess about splitting springs.
Totally agree.

Col
 
I would have to check exactly what I have on mine but I am fairly sure I have gone the opposite way around with the petrol springs fitted to my diesel. Cant say it has made any noticeable difference (other than being new) but I would have been comparing to to some very old and worn out springs previously fitted. I would agree with the above advice of fitting as is rather than splitting the spring pack.
 
You're right 9 leaves are for petrol, 11 for diesel. However I've never really understood why. "Oh the diesel is heavier" they say but it's the same block with slightly different ancilliaries, not that much of difference I would have thought to require 2 more leaves. Me? Id put 11s on and leave it like that ( no pun intended) seeing as you have a bit of extra weight up front. I wouldn't mess about splitting springs.
Thanks a lot for that. It makes sense, I'll leave the springs as they are, especially also after hearing from others who have 11 leaves with the petrol engine.
 
Also Lightweights had 7 leaves on the front, some had 5, again same petrol engine as the regular model. I imagine the fewer leaves were an attempt to reduce as much weight as possible for air portability.
 
Very interesting chart; the front spring rate is the same for everything except the SWB petrol, even the extra heavy duty LWB, its only the rears that change. That fits my expreince - I have a LWB with 11 leaf srpings and a really heavy Perkins plus bonnet spare and the ride height is fine.
 
Excellent, the ultimate authoritative answer to the puzzle. My Land Rover (LWB petrol) currently has 9 leafs on the passenger side and 8 on the driver side. The previous owner has some explaining to do.
 
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