Series 3 rear springs

[Julian]

This is the first time I've posted in the Series section, I used to own a Disco Td5 but sold it as it was a bit boring! Anyway, I've always liked Series vehicles and in particular the 2 1/4 Diesel, so yesterday I bought a 1978 series 3 and drove it from Oxford to Warrington. It was every bit as dreadful as I had hoped and deafened me as it struggled to keep pace with the lorries with the engine spinning at some huge RPM! (overdrive to be considered in the future)

It's not a bad vehicle with a galv chassis but is a bit rough around the edges. First task is the rear springs, it's sitting low at the rear and the drop links are angled almost fully with no weight in it.

What is a good replacement, and where should I source them from - Paddocks? Any suggestions welcome. I've read about parabolics but am unsure if they're much better than standard, I'm unlikely to do any serious off roading and the vehicle will remain essentially unmodified.

Thanks Julian

[rtbarton]

In your postion I'd be inclined to fit standard springs all round, that way you'll avoid problems with non-standard shockers and so on.

Well lubricated leaf springs aren't all that bad

[samtope]

I agree, new standard springs all round. Despite all the advertising for fancy parabolics, they were actually very difficult to order and buy when I got some a few years ago. I could only get hold of a no-name set from my Landy specialist (who is superb and always has everything). Sadly they were rubbish and I threw them away after a year. My Land Rover stood wonky and much too high. So I got another no-name set, not by choice, but because thats all he could get hold of. These are better but in hindsight the bother of fitting and paying for two sets of springs was'nt worth it for the slightly better and more elevated ride height. As a personal preference I think a Series looks better a little lower with the wheels properly filling the arches. Standard springs are also better suited to carrying weight and they're cheaper. My next set will be standard! (But I won't fit them, it was a pain..)

[Julian]

Thanks chaps, I was kind of hoping that you'd say that, normal springs it is then

Who's best for mail order these days - Paddocks or is anyone better for springs?

I'll get new U bolts, but is there anything else that I'm likely to need for the job?

Cheers Julian.

[Retroanaconda]

Paddocks are ok, as long as you specify OEM or Genuine. They have a habit of supplying shi...sorry Britpart, parts. Other than the bushes in the springs/chassis, I don't know if there is anything else to be honest.

Other suppliers of note:

L.R. Series

Britcar

John Craddock

And of course Land Rover themselves.

[Rich_P]

Fitting the axle to the spring can be a bit fiddly. Only do one side at a time, using the other to stop the axle rolling away on its own. You may need to use ratchet straps to pull the axle and chassis close enough together to fit the dampers again afterwards.

It's a job I shall be doing eventually, as the Britpart rears on mine are starting to sag more now.

[Julian]

Fitting the axle to the spring can be a bit fiddly. Only do one side at a time, using the other to stop the axle rolling away on its own. You may need to use ratchet straps to pull the axle and chassis close enough together to fit the dampers again afterwards.

It's a job I shall be doing eventually, as the Britpart rears on mine are starting to sag more now.

Thanks, I'm pretty lucky in so much as I have my own 4 poster in the garage and an MOT style jacking beam. I spent 30 years lying on my back doing these sorts of things in the rain and snow so now with a bad back I can relax a bit with the lift

I've saved those parts suppliers to my favorites.

Julian.

[the real muddy90]

There was an article in the early 90's in LRO (when lro was the only landy mag!) where they stripped the leaf springs down, cleaned them up & had them re tempered (is that the right phrase??) they were good as new in fact probably better than some of the new carp being sold.

Might be an option?

[rtbarton]

There was an article in the early 90's in LRO (when lro was the only landy mag!) where they stripped the leaf springs down, cleaned them up & had them re tempered (is that the right phrase??) they were good as new in fact probably better than some of the new carp being sold.

Might be an option?

I had that done with Riley springs, it depends a great deal on the firm doing the job. If you go down that route get a new top leaf fitted, or new top 2 leaves.

[Julian]

There was an article in the early 90's in LRO (when lro was the only landy mag!) where they stripped the leaf springs down, cleaned them up & had them re tempered (is that the right phrase??) they were good as new in fact probably better than some of the new carp being sold.

Might be an option?

I've new springs on order from LRSeries.Com so I'll be sticking with that route now, It is an idea however. On a sports car I have the replacement leaf springs at the rear are known to start sagging much more quickly than the originals - the metal can't be as good. One club member, fed up with springs lasting about 6 months, had a neat solution (which I copied) which is to substitute the dampers for AVO coilovers, ride hight can be adjusted with a peg spanner and damping rates can be altered too.

Julian.

[Gazzar]

I've new springs on order from LRSeries.Com so I'll be sticking with that route now, It is an idea however. On a sports car I have the replacement leaf springs at the rear are known to start sagging much more quickly than the originals - the metal can't be as good. One club member, fed up with springs lasting about 6 months, had a neat solution (which I copied) which is to substitute the dampers for AVO coilovers, ride hight can be adjusted with a peg spanner and damping rates can be altered too.

Julian.

Now, THAT's a good idea!

G.