LRO: RE: Re: Sagging springs, why.

From: Lee Jones (leejones6@home.com)
Date: Fri Apr 27 2001 - 18:27:59 EDT

  • Next message: Stephen West-Fisher: "Re: LRO: Series II motor"

    Hmmm - My 109 is down by the LEFT side - it is RHD though.....

    Lee

    -----Original Message-----
    From: owner-lro@works.team.net [mailto:owner-lro@works.team.net]On
    Behalf Of Peter Ogilvie
    Sent: Friday, April 27, 2001 3:24 PM
    To: lro@works.team.net
    Subject: LRO: Re: Sagging springs, why.

    Things have been too quiet on the list, thought I'd generate some
    controversy.

    How come series rovers always sag, usually to the right side?? Don't give me
    any of the handed spring crap as it hasn't been a factor for ages. If jeep
    suppliers can provide springs that sit level, why can't the Rover crowd make
    stock multi leaf springs do the same.

    I just did an RM parabolic switch and the truck sits level for the first
    time since I've owned it. Before, the truck had the typical right side down
    lean. Did the rears first and, after removal, found the stock springs to
    have an 1" difference in arch. With the parabolics on the rear, truck
    appeared to set level though I didn't drive it much and park on known level
    ground and measure it to verify. Thought the sag must have been caused by
    the stock rear springs, alone. Switched the fronts and truck still sits
    level, but discovered the front springs also have a 1" arch differential.
    The front springs were stock, new in 1991 and have only 5,000 miles on them.
      They weren't the different arched springs as fitted to early right hand
    drive vehicles as I understand these springs were never imported. The rears
    were original with with 35,000 miles on them. Unfortunately, I didn't mark
    the springs before I took them off but must assume the tall springs were on
    the right side.

    I've got two Rovers that I have driven regularly and both had sag problems.
    Solved the problem on my 88 by putting a nasty looking, rust pitted POS
    spring from the right side of my parts truck on the left side of the 88.
    Spring was so bad that it broke completely as soon as I lubed it and was
    able to flex. At least the truck sat level for a while.

    If every other car manufacturer and aftermarket supplier can make springs
    that sit level, why can't the makers of stock Rover springs do the same???

    My back loves the parabolics, by the way. Truck rides so much smoother over
    my test section. In second gear at idle, truck used to bounce me off the
    seat. Now the truck glides over the loose rubble and bare lava. Feels
    almost like someone went out and rounded the corners off all the bumps and
    lumps. Have the usual Rocky Mountain 2 leaf front springs and fixed 3 leaf
    rears on my 109 regular pickup. Was going to do a comparison with the TI
    Console parabolics but don't want to take the time to switch everything out.
      Like the idea of the helper springs on the TI's for comfort but can't
    swear it has an effect in real life. Yes I know the hang up argument with
    the helpers, but had no problems in a years use on the 88. Oh!! and the
    sway argument is horse puckey. Truck corners just as level as it did with
    the stock springs. Axle doesn't tramp to the outside of turns with bumps
    like it did with stock springs, so handling in side loading is actually much
    improved. Shocks are OME installed months before the spring switch so they
    aren't a factor.

    Aloha
    Peter Ogilvie
    Kona Coffee Rover
    1970 88 soft top, 'huli' Mine since '84 but recovering
         from exposure of the dark side.
    1966 109 pickup 'slime' In my garage since '90, finally up and running
    12/00.
    1965 88 parts car, slowly sinking into the lava.
    196? 88 hard top, possibly 'phoenix' if it rises, it will
         certainly be from ashes or at least a pile of rust

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