Early failure of leaf springs?

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:40 pm

When I bought my traveller 10 months ago, the leaf springs were "flat". I replaced them, and have since done about 8000 miles with tools in the boot and a 7 stone daughter in the back (mainly). The right rear spring has now gone flat. Is this to be anticipated with a moderate load, or are there better and worse spring qualities available?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:02 pm

Probably down to poor quality - although significant it's the right side - where driver sits !! Are the rear bump stops present and correct ?

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:18 pm

How would rear bump stops effect the tension in the springs....? If they were of sufficient tension they wouldn't be reaching the situation where they were at full travel surely.... My saloon is virtually impossible to get anymore than about an inch or two of travel.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:10 pm

If no bump stop - the spring will easily overtravel - and that may 'help' it to flatten out. Simples !!

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:13 pm

OK - slightly possible maybe - but, If they don't travel that far in the first place then they won't flatten. I guess it's just down to retempered springs which have been done half cocked....

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:17 pm

Oh they DO travel that far - when going over bumps and humps. The car will regularly thump the bump stops - unless it's set up unusually high in the first place.

Post by **kennatt** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:32 am

if they were new springs not just old reshaped and temperd(Not worth the bother)they should last for years,get back onto the dealer and talk to him about warrantees etc.

Post by **jonathon** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:55 am

Think you ought to reduce the amount of spares in yer boot BM. We have never had a car on new springs, able to bottom out under normal road conditions, ( the roads around us are bumpy)
LAudio, I'd contact the supplier and relate your problem, it would seem to me that this particular spring is faulty.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:53 pm

Well - my Traveller easily bottoms out on the springs when landing after a high speed hump! Yes -I do have some spares +trolley jack etc with me - but never have any rear seat passengers

Post by **plastic_orange** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:09 pm

In the past I've had drivers side spring flattening as you describe after fitting a matched pair (7 leaf). I'd send it back. I also wasted my time with retempered springs - never again.

Pete

Post by **Onne** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:39 pm

I'd have a word with the supplier too.

I replaced the 7 leaf springs on my Series 2 with later 5 leaf and she has still got her bum pertly in the air

I always carry a big jack, spare fuel, oil (no comments!) and up to 4 passengers (it was a squeeze)

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:07 pm

Bump stops make a big difference because the extra travel makes a massive difference - (also at the front for the torsion bars)

I've had a new spring go flat - but on a Land Rover. Some are just not well made

This one only took 4 weeks to go flat but I had got to Timbuktu in that time. The other one of the pair was just like new

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:14 pm

Thanks for all the replies. Yes bumpstops all p&c.Do all these springs come from the one source does anyone know? If not, can someone recommend a supplier of known good quality?

Post by **aupickup** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:16 pm

i bought some van springs a few years ago from esm and had no problems with the springs

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:26 pm

Ohhhh........!

Post by **PSL184** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 10:50 pm

I guess we know where you got yours from then