Classic Think I've cocked up my suspension

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frog hopper

frog hopper

Well-Known Member
Posts
4,778
Location
france
I had a problem with the boge self levelling unit on my 1988 classic, it wasn't working properly and had been leaking fluid. This was picked up on the mot (French CT).
The only option if I didn't want to spend the thick end of £1k was to do what everyone else does and remove it.
This I did, and to make sure everything was tip top I replaced the rear coils and shocks at the same time.
The problem for me now is that although she sits slightly (1/2 inch) higher at the rear, unless I drive really slowly over traffic humps the rear bottoms out onto the bump stops. This is without rear passengers, at tickover in 2nd gear.

The RR is 1988, vin ending FA350------, LHD, 2.4 VM.
The coils I fitted are Britpart (Doh) NRC8113 and NTC3285, the part numbers came from my parts book, the dampers are Britpart supergaz after seeing good reviews of them on here. I presume that I should have bought heavier duty springs after taking off the boge unit, just didn't consider it at the time. I really don't want to now suffer from a harsh ride.

What to do? any comments/advice please.
 
I believe the normal route is to replace the springs with disco ones which are a bit firmer, however mine still has original coils with boge removed and was never a problem, even with 15 bags of feed in the back.
 
Kev12 said:
I believe the normal route is to replace the springs with disco ones which are a bit firmer, however mine still has original coils with boge removed and was never a problem, even with 15 bags of feed in the back.
Click to expand...

That's interesting, on the one & only occassion I've had a reasonably heavy load in the back (three large adults plus the load-space packed chocker with shopping) the rear end was noticably lower until the boge 'pumped' itself up after a short distance, that was with genuine replacement springs & dampers fitted a couple of years earlier.
 
norseman said:
That's interesting, on the one & only occassion I've had a reasonably heavy load in the back (three large adults plus the load-space packed chocker with shopping) the rear end was noticably lower until the boge 'pumped' itself up after a short distance, that was with genuine replacement springs & dampers fitted a couple of years earlier.
Click to expand...
Yes the back was much lower with 300kg or so in it, but not to the extent it would bottom out going over a speed bump slowly
 
There should be a specialist somewhere that can do it, mine was missing when i bought it and they are silly money now
 
First of all, many thanks for all the replies.
@Datatek , I am certain it's bottoming out on the bump stops, I can see fresh marks on the axle.
I have no problem with Britpart in many applications, I would prefer to keep the ride as soft as standard though for the sake of comfort, so perhaps would not buy the yellow HD springs.
Apart from that I have now totally confused myself by trying to compare free length x loading of various springs. I don't mind if the rear ends up 1" higher than it is at the moment, but of course there is then the problem of body roll.
It all looks as though there are going to be some compromises somewhere along the line.
 
frog hopper said:
First of all, many thanks for all the replies.
@Datatek , I am certain it's bottoming out on the bump stops, I can see fresh marks on the axle.
I have no problem with Britpart in many applications, I would prefer to keep the ride as soft as standard though for the sake of comfort, so perhaps would not buy the yellow HD springs.
Apart from that I have now totally confused myself by trying to compare free length x loading of various springs. I don't mind if the rear ends up 1" higher than it is at the moment, but of course there is then the problem of body roll.
It all looks as though there are going to be some compromises somewhere along the line.
Click to expand...
Later Classics had EAS, how about a conversion? On a more practical note, it's possible to get springs custom made for not a lot of cash. A pair of rising rate springs with the first part of compression fairly soft followed by a rapidly rising rate would do the job.
 
Last edited:
I know you say it is bottoming out. Any chance of getting a vid or being able to get someone to watch from the side.

I honestly find it very unlikely. Unless 2nd gear is 50mph over an extreme road hump.

If you really think it is. Then it will be very soft. Can you easily push the car down. Or maybe by way of sitting in the tailgate heavily get it close to bottoming out?
 
norseman said:
Probably similar weight to my circumstances. I wonder if a Boge can be reconditioned ?
Click to expand...
It's been tried a few times. Someone got close-ish with the defender type (has a bulb on it) but nothing came of it: https://forums.lr4x4.com/topic/77667-self-leveling-unit-repair/ (You'll need to click your 'refresh' button after selecting a new page or you'll just see 'Loading' at the bottom of the page or it won't change)
Possibly has been done in Australia, old posts on the aulro website make mention of it.
 
frog hopper said:
First of all, many thanks for all the replies.
@Datatek , I am certain it's bottoming out on the bump stops, I can see fresh marks on the axle.
I have no problem with Britpart in many applications, I would prefer to keep the ride as soft as standard though for the sake of comfort, so perhaps would not buy the yellow HD springs.
Apart from that I have now totally confused myself by trying to compare free length x loading of various springs. I don't mind if the rear ends up 1" higher than it is at the moment, but of course there is then the problem of body roll.
It all looks as though there are going to be some compromises somewhere along the line.
Click to expand...

Take the shocks off & keeping them vertical operate them through their full range of travel to be sure they're actually working properly.
I still have a self-leveller - although it did have a fluid leak last year so it might be a case of it doing nothing - I have the Police springs & fitted standard BP shocks last year & have had no problems incl fully loaded with the boat trailer on the back.
How long ago did you fit the shocks & did you prime them before fitting?
 
Ratae said:
Take the shocks off & keeping them vertical operate them through their full range of travel to be sure they're actually working properly.
I still have a self-leveller - although it did have a fluid leak last year so it might be a case of it doing nothing - I have the Police springs & fitted standard BP shocks last year & have had no problems incl fully loaded with the boat trailer on the back.
How long ago did you fit the shocks & did you prime them before fitting?
Click to expand...
Shocks were fitted a month ago and primed before fitting.
 
I'd pop them off & check.
Mine are standard & after priming took a lot of effort to move them.
If they're OK then I'd be looking at the springs.
 
Think I shall have to get the doris underneath while I jump up and down on the tow hitch in the morning.
Whats the worst that can happen?:D
 
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