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Leaf spring makes


jad

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I need to replace at least 1 of the leaf springs on my 78' S111 109. It is bent and I am getting to the end of my tether with it vibrating against the chassis when going between throttle and overrun! I have a few questions. Firstly is it OK to replace just the 1 spring? At most would I be risking a wonky vehicle?

I am looking for standard springs as opposed to parabolics as with ~250Hp I think I will just end up with a lot of spring wrap and bent springs.  Are there any companies that are recognised as producing good quality springs? I am assuming it is best to avoid britpart and bearmach? A google search reveals perhaps some more specialised companies such as Jones-Springs, GB Springs. Does anyone have any good or bad experience of these companies? Or is there anyone else you would recommend?

Thanks for your help.

Jad

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Thanks

 

Yes mainly worried about the rear. The spring I need replacing is a rear one. I am not looking to change the fronts at the moment. I have too many other things to do at the moment on other cars and the house to look at designing an anti-wrap system at the moment and actually I am pretty happy with the ride/off roading ability. Wouldnt want to make it too easy and less fun! I only use it on road and for some green laning when time allows.

Jad

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I'm fitting a full set of Jones Springs to a series 3 109 TC next week . The rears are std. dual rate so probably not what you need . They will renovate your old ones or make to your spec. My first use of Jones but they have tested well so I'm not expecting any issues. The first attempt was Std. pattern from Bearmach and they were truly awful . The rears never even went on and the fronts (petrol) were in excess of 3x stiffer than factory spec. I bumped into someone with 18 month old Britpart springs on an 88 that had sagged so that even with 6" hangers it still looked slammed .

cheers

Steve b

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No problem , I was going to do a little thread on the whole saga when complete - these were part of a galv. chassis build back last August .

A mate used GB to refurb a set of Comma lorry springs (60's) and they did a good job too .

cheers

Steve

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BHP is not what will bend springs, it's torque.  Regardless, decent quality springs will get wrap but should regain their shape when the torque is reduced.  Permanent distortion is indicative of poor quality, spring steel diluted with too much mild steel.  Britpart are infamous for this, and their springs develop leans or sag within months of fitting to a road-going standard vehicle.  So, an anti-wrap system shouldn't be needed for spring longevity if you pay for the quality.  However, high quality springs will still suffer wrap under high torque and the bouncing that causes will reduce off road ability, so an anti-wrap system could be useful anyway.  There have been some cunning systems made by forum members, and I think Fridge has them on his  portalled109.

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With regards to spring wrap, there are easier solutions than those of mine and Frigde's. This one I've tried myself and it worked great against wrap but is a bit 'bindy' so suspension travel gets a bit limited, not a crazy amount though, won't ruin anything.

I actually stole the idea from one of your countrymen in '08 at the ALRC Nationals where I say it on a Trialler :) 

Sorry for the crude Paint CAD :D 

Nyt bitmapbillede.bmp

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Anti-wrap needn't be complicated, Soren's scribbling shows a workable setup that's dead easy, moving the chassis attachment point of the bar upwards a bit might help reduce binding and is similar to what's done on various vehicles from the factory - Volvo 303 had something very similar on the rear, and if memory serves some Jeeps had a "rigid leaf" below the main pack with its own little extra shackle hanging off the bottom of the regular one. Seen quite a few American dragster cars with "traction bars" which look like a very similar idea.

I've done a write-up on my anti-wrap somewhere on here.. ah, found it: http://forums.lr4x4.com/topic/17658-anti-wrap-bars-my-solution/

Also the Pirate 4x4 article that spawned it: http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Anti_wrap_bar/antiwrapbar.htm

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Thanks everyone,

I think I will look to stick with standard springs anyway. I am not looking for a lift from the parabolics and only need to replace the rear springs at the moment. I also wouldnt want to weld my galvanised chassis! Soren that solution does look very simple although none of them are overly complicated.

Steve if you could point me in the direction of your thread when done that would be great.

Cheers

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  • 4 weeks later...

Yes , and all very good , it's at the correct ride height and level ns to os and slightly higher at the rear unladen . There is movement when load is added front or rear ( :) me leaning on it ) , yet to road test as some other bits needed some attention  but so far all good . A mate has just took delivery of re-furbed Series 2A forward control springs , and they look to be equally good too , complete with UNF U bolts . All in all I have to say very good service .

cheers

Steve b *

* no financial interest , just pleased with pro service

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A bit of an update - I've just road tested the 109 and the ride is excellent , there is give in the springs but not too much roll , very pleased with the outcome . All that remains now is for the truck to go back to work on the shoot so we can see the long term result .

Jones are now on my approved list of Land Rover part suppliers along side Turner Engines , Ashcroft and Britcar

Cheers

Steve b  

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Well for the last 5 years it's hardly been driven so can't really comment... but I reckon the front binds up a bit but the rear works a treat due to being the other way round and having much longer links (very close to the length of a leaf).

I'm still mulling solutions for the front but just need to get the damn truck up & running again before starting more projects!

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