The final word on springs

My lightweight has a bit of a lean to the passenger side but more worryingly I have only about:

1/2" between bumpstop and axle on n/s front
1.5" o/s front

with 5-6" on both rears

Think it may have something to do with the more weighty V8 but will it pass the MOT? doubt it new springs/shocks or am i ****ing in the wind?

G

the V8 enjun is lighter than the std petrol cos it ally.
sound like your springs have gone weak and need replaceing. like the defender the springs are handed for the weight of the battery fuel driver all being on the same side. It should have a lean to the passenger side when no one is sat in it.

Cheers Ian

I was told by my MoTer that if the springs aren't broken, it shouldn't fail. But if they are sagging that much, even with the lighter V8 in, there need changing urgently.
Very difficult to get a leaf sprung vehicle that doesn't lean. I wouldn't worry about anything less than an inch.

thought as much Ian. Now, standard or parabolics? there isnt much price diff in the springs but the shocks are 3 times the price for the paras! denied. paddocks and MM have cheap (britpart) paras, but i think this would be a mistake.

decisions decisions

G

Standard

just priced it up:

paddock paras with monroe shocks £340. rocky mountain paras with monroe shocks £400

standard with standard shocks (paddocks) £210

massive price diff isnt there? not sure its worth spending the 400 on rocky mountain, although that is what i would ultimately like. not worth spending 340 on possible **** from paddocks. so i might as well replace with standard stuff. exp. seeing as I dont know how good my lightweight actually is yet. it may well be a crock of ****.

G

Have a read about the horry storys about springs from pillocks

who do you stock Ian?

G

These horror stories from springs from paddocks....I am keeping my fingers crossed as mine are OK at the moment! The main advantage of parabolics as I can see it is (obv apart from smoother ride, easier articulation) that they don't hang as low where they are clamped to the U-bolts - giving more clearance there - I find this is where I get grounded when it is going to happen.

hadnt thought of that. cheers Rusty.

G

I would have gone for parabolics - but heard from other people that have them that when the vehicle is laden they can sag quite a bit because they are softer - considering I knew I would be carrying 200 litres of fuel at some points as well as all the other gear, water etc I didn't think that would have been too good. Would be good to hear the opinion on someone here that has paras and carries a fair amount of stuff though!

Before ordering any springs make sure they're not ****part.

Going back to my springs gents (which i will change in Sept when i get back from the alps ) Im now thinking that I could get away with changing the fronts only at the moment (spread the cost an all that). and maybe do all 4 shocks?

what do you reckon? change the fronts, get it MOT'd then maybe change the rears at a later date? next summer most likely

also forgot to ask, its a lightweight. are the springs for a standard 88 going to fit? I know the rates are different due to it being a military vehicle, but Im happy with civi spec stuff.

no dealt with a leafer before! thanks!

G

Standard springs will fit. You may need to change the U bolts

Interesting thread.

Of the dozens of Series LRs I have resprung I got most of them to sit square but as with all elderly rovers it only works if you do it properly. Here are a few thoughts based on my own experience:

1) Always fit the right springs: sticking 109 rears on an 88 for a quick 'lift' creates more problems than it is worth (ditto for fitting 1 ton shackles!).

2) Change all four springs at once with four new springs from the same manufacturer.

3) Remember that they're handed; get them the wrong way round and your car will look like you've set it up for the wall of death....

4) Change all of the chassis bushes - it's a bugger of a job (oxo and an air chisel helps but if all else fails find a big friend with a big hammer!). They're always knackered and make a surprising difference; they also cost pennies compared to your shiny new springs.

5) Check the shackles; they tend to elongate the holes on the unthreaded side and again cost very little to replace.

6) I would generally use new U Bolts as they strech a bit and tend to 'waist' around the plate holes. New nuts go without saying - get nylocs from your local nut and bolt supplier rather than pay silly money from a landrover shop - somebody else will have to remind me what the thread pitch is (9/16 UNF??) 'cos I've forgotten....

7) Always use new shackle bolts (you knew I'd say that).

8) When you fit them don't tighten the shackles with the vehicle jacked up - leave the shackle bolts slack and settle the weight of the vehicle on them before tightening otherwise it will sit at a very odd angle and then you'll tear the new bushes to shreds. A good way of 'settling' the vehicle is to jump up and down on the bumper!

9) I've never been a fan of greasing springs; the friction between the leaves is an integral part of the damping (which is why LRs with old corroded springs ride like a skateboard - the leaves don't move). A few people advocate greasing springs and some military spec vehicles (esp 1 ton chassis) were fitted with spring wrappers and greased. My reservation was always that whilst it softened the ride, any dirt getting in was turned into grinding paste with a predictable effect on spring life.

10) If you're respringing a Lightweight use Lightweight springs. This goes double if you have a Rover V8 in the car. Lightweight springs are softer than std 88 springs because they're lighter (clue's in the name). A V8 is lighter still so std 88 springs will send you down the road like Zebedee on acid.

11) I've been out of the LR scene for a good few years so I can't say whether parabolic springs are any good (new fangled nonsense most like) but I will say that a properly resprung series on decent new springs rides astonishingy well; the problem is that everyone is used to driving Series with knackered springs and assumes that that is how they're meant to drive.

PS I'm new here so sorry for dribbling on, I don't often get to talk to anyone interested in Landrover springs.... Have I had my tea yet??

Welcome unsprung Hero. Nice advice. Goes without saying i will renew all the little bits, as i agree its worth it. always done it with my 90 so why stop now? Very interested to hear about the spring rate, because i was going to go with standard 88" springs. The LR LTWT is actually heavier than a standard IIA by some 100-150kg i think. so i think with the lighter V8 (by how much over a 2.25?) I maybe ok. who knows.

anyway, I think i have just sourced 4 original good condition (2nd hand) springs for £50.

what you think?

G

Hmm, dunno about the relative weights. It's a long time since I sprung an airportable but I seem to recall that the fronts were only 7 leaf as opposed to 9 on a std spring; then again that might be the alzheimers speaking....

As for second hand springs I've never been a fan but needs must and 50 quid is cheap if they're good. Give them a thorough clean up with a wire brush and check that the leaves all sit together - if they look 'spragged' or uneven they've had it.

Work out which side is which by putting them upside down on a level surface - the driver's side will sit slightly taller than the passenger side. The difference will be more pronounced on the fronts than the rears.

You should also consider rebushing the springs whilst you've got them on the ground, again a cow of a job but the bushes are only about a quid each (am I out of date?) and will make a big difference.

Thanks for the advice USH,

I think your right about the 7 vs. 9 leaf but I think MOD leaf springs were thicker (hence less of them) so there was less chance of breaking them.

Regarding this 2nd hand set, the bloke said they were tight with no gaps. so I hope their ok. Bushes are a little more but still worth changing

Cheers,

G

I think "Light weight" springs are actually heavy duties, otherwise I agree with all the advise, particularly make sure they have settled before tightening

2nd hand 2a 109" station wagon spec springs work really well on an 88" (they have 2 helper springs). They give a higher ride height, are relatively comfy, good articulation and good for load carrying.