Series 3 How many leaves for front springs?

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Arayat

Arayat

New Member
Posts
5
Location
Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
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?
 

Attachments

  • federn LR.jpg
    federn LR.jpg
    433.2 KB · Views: 93
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.
 
wireman said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
wireman said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

mazdarover
Handed Leaf Springs - a muse
Replies
1
Views
339
boguing
boguing
N
Shocks for parabolics
Replies
4
Views
824
300bhp/ton
300bhp/ton
herby1
1979 s3 109 for sale near Spalding price reduced
Replies
10
Views
2K
herby1
herby1
herby1
spring advice
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
herby1
herby1
roger352
FOR SALE landrover discovery 300 tdi
Replies
12
Views
1K
Knappster
Knappster
Back
Top