94softdash Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 Hi, I'm looking to replace the rear springs on my Softdash Rangie Classic as it seems to have the heavy duty type fitted (red & white stripe), and the back end is very stiff and bouncy. According to the parts manual the Softdash's have different rear springs fitted to any other Classic but they are twice the price and I was wondering what the ditterence is and if I could just fit the normal rears from any other Classic. Cheers for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taurion Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 My experience so far. 1987 RRC 2 door I bought it with 4HD springs (Boge strut dead) standard height 17mm dia wire.The ride was very harsh and noisy but it was the correct height front and back and it handled the trailer (3.5t) well with little sag. I put standard front springs on and the ride and handling improved. I then put what I believe were original rear springs off a 4dr (15mm wire) and the sag was at least 5cm at the rear wheel arch. The ride was much smoother but it needs the boge strut working to maintain the height and towing the trailer with these springs , never again. I have ordered some D2 rear springs (16mm wire progressive rate) to see if that will give a reasonable ride and handle the trailer correctly. 1982 RRC 2 door with 6cyl diesel and hd springs and dead boge strut . I have put D1 standard rate progressive springs on the rear . Height , ride and handling is probably as good as one can get without the boge strut. I will see if there is a difference with the D2 springs compared to D1. The D1 spring needs to be a slightly higher rate for towing but gives a reasonable ride solo.The real solution is a working boge strut for the self leveling and comfort, anything else is a compromise unfortunately. I used to drive a Citroen XM so miss the self leveling suspension. p.s. I have at least 4 boge struts awating a repair solution so that I can have my original ride quality back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 I have police spec rear springs on my soft dash (fitted by the previous owner). They're probably a good deal firmer than standard, but it rides very well, I think, and less harshly than I remember the airsprung SE that I test drove while searching. It gives a slightly sporty poise, similar to a first generation RR Sport. I like them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honitonhobbit Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Police spec are red/white Might I suggest Discovery 1 spec medium weight OME's 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Police spec are NRC4304. I had them and they were too soft! It takes some experimentation to find the right spring. http://www.wwshockabsorbers.com/ have rebuilt Boges for many years, and are worth asking if you're overseas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 21 hours ago, honitonhobbit said: Police spec are red/white Might I suggest Discovery 1 spec medium weight OME's Good to know they are an easily sourced HD spec, not a rare special spec. Mine are well covered in Schutz, so I have never seen the markings. Great and horrible stuff at the same time! At least it covers up the orange on the DeCarbons (also PO installed). The PO was going to fit matching front springs but never got around to it. He stumbled across them years later and offered them to me. I suppose I should have taken them for spares or to sell on, but I declines as I really like it the way it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honitonhobbit Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Sadly, Nick, They are no longer available. I was chasing a set for the disco for ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choob Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 I have ironman springs/ bilstein dampers which is a really nice combination Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honitonhobbit Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I would agree; alternatively Devotech from D4x4 are actually Eibach springs - so very good. A Bilstein is a good shock any day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 Pity. They're ideal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honitonhobbit Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 I know. It's quite frustrating to have found something that you know is right, that does the job properly and doesn't cost the earth; then to have it simply disappear due to lack of sales/interest. Britpart do make a copy but it's really not very good, goes soft really quick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 On 27/06/2017 at 1:32 PM, honitonhobbit said: Britpart do make a copy but it's really not very good, goes soft really quick You surprise me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honitonhobbit Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 They used to make good copies, but like so much now, the quality has really gone down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walace58 Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 I have a 94 rrc. Air suspension failed, and after much replacement of parts, eventually reluctantly opted for britpart replacement coil springs. Car is level and ride OK, but when towing back too low despite optimising noseweight. One option is to fit stronger springs, but I am advised that unladen and now towing ride would probably be horrendous. An option may be to fit the rear centrL assisted as fitted to earlier rrc, which automatically compensated for load. This worked fine on my previous 84 d reg.. Does anyone know whether the 94 still has the necessary fittings/ bolt holes etc to fit one, and where an assisted, assume second hand could be obtained? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 I assume you're referring to the Boge load-leveller, which is almost unknown second-hand, and though they do turn up occasionally would need a rebuilt by now. There was a place here in Australia which rebuilt them. However, I'm not even sure your model of Range Rover would have the mount on the chassis. (Though I do have an old '92 which does, even though it came with EAS!) Replacing rear springs and shocks is often a long and annoying experiment for many Range Rover owners but it is possible to upgrade what you've got without it making the ride too harsh. There are progressive rate springs and adjustable shocks. I've got some used Koni shocks on mine, for instance, and am onto the third pair of springs on the back as well. I did have helper air bags and that might work for you, too. All this experimenting takes time and money but is worth it to keep that wonderful ride these things are known for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 My 95 has a Boge strut, so I'd expect a 94 to have one. I have HD rear springs and De Carbon dampers, and I'm very happy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbeaumont Posted September 16, 2017 Share Posted September 16, 2017 On 13/09/2017 at 6:08 PM, Snagger said: My 95 has a Boge strut, so I'd expect a 94 to have one. I have HD rear springs and De Carbon dampers, and I'm very happy with it. Wallace58's car originally had air suspension, though, so won't have been fitted with a Boge strut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 See my reply above referring to an EAS Rangie with a Boge mount on the chassis. But that factory always was pretty odd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbeaumont Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 14 hours ago, Davo said: See my reply above referring to an EAS Rangie with a Boge mount on the chassis. But that factory always was pretty odd. I'd be very surprised if it had the actual strut fitted though - it would be completely redundant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Sorry, my mistake, thinking about brackets and not struts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Even if he doesn't have the brackets, he could find some easily enough, along with strut and A-frame ball joint mount from a scrapper. Finding a working strut, well that's another matter... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbeaumont Posted September 18, 2017 Share Posted September 18, 2017 I'm surprised there aren't more companies that will rebuild them - I'd have thought there's a market for it beyond just Australia! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old dutch Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Just a thread resurrection ....a few years on. I've had the Boge on my RRC reconditioned by ZF in Germany - they own Boge now. They do a heritage programme - it wasn't cheap (about 900 euro), but it's restored the original self adjustment. Cost depends on how shagged the original item is. Try looking here - ZF Tradition - ZF You're looking for the Nivomat shocks section. They used them on old Mercs as well. Good luck! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norseman Posted June 24, 2021 Share Posted June 24, 2021 On 9/18/2017 at 3:54 PM, geoffbeaumont said: I'm surprised there aren't more companies that will rebuild them - I'd have thought there's a market for it beyond just Australia! I've a vague recollection that a company in the UK that re-cons/services Citroen suspension can rebuild the Bose, but this was a while ago & I can't recall the details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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