Problems withTraveller ride height

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Sun May 03, 2009 8:01 pm

When I bought my Traveller last May, the rear springs were "flat". I fitted new ones, which started to become soft around Christmas time and got worse until I was sent some replacements a month ago. On fitting these, the right one looked lower than the left immediately, the rear link pointing back at an angle, whereas the left one is vertical. Are there any figures for unladen ride height, and a technical way of determining the spring "set" in unladen state? I want to know what I should be looking for as a set of "good" figures!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun May 03, 2009 8:29 pm

About 2" between top of bump stop and chassis plate. If one has gone flat already (unless carrying immense weight???) then obviously it's not right! Send it back.

Post by **jonathon** » Sun May 03, 2009 9:55 pm

Was the car level with the old flat springs. It might be that the car has had either the front hangers or rear legs replaced in the wrong position. Take some measurements from the X member backwards to determine that both sides are symetrical.

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Sun May 03, 2009 10:02 pm

Went flat within 50 miles. Had self, 2 10 year olds and a fortnights supply of plastic pony stables for same, on the way to our Easter break. Hardly a great load for a load carrier (2 extra leafs!!).

Just been and looked. I have about 3/4" on right and 1 1/4" on left now, after about 500 miles.

I'm beginning to think they may be from the same batch, was wondering about getting the first set re-tempered by someone? We have a spring manufactury quite close and I feel like approaching them, even if it cost more than the original (duff) springs.
Will contact ESM first, perhaps they can arrange to send me a new set each month until I get a decent set?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun May 03, 2009 10:51 pm

Certainly complain - that's not right!

Post by **plastic_orange** » Sun May 03, 2009 11:10 pm

I've been the retempered route - didn't last long. The last springs I fitted to my car went the same way - drivers side dropped more than the passenger side.
You could perhaps think about longer shackles - JLH does them if you get nowhere with getting a replacement.

Pete

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Mon May 04, 2009 7:43 am

jonathon wrote:Was the car level with the old flat springs. It might be that the car has had either the front hangers or rear legs replaced in the wrong position. Take some measurements from the X member backwards to determine that both sides are symetrical.

The underside of the car is original, save a bit of patching I have done!
I was surprised to note that putting the new springs on did not make the car significantly higher than the old collapsed ones. I have a toolbox in the back, but no spare, so that should negate that! I run with a full fuel tank policy as it doesn't hold very much (I can stomach £25 to fill up, not the £60 to fill the Xantia's huge capacity!!).
Surely the weight of 7 gallons ~70lb shouldn't be a problem!

This was meant to be a load carrier, has an extra 2 leafs for that purpoe, and no end of people seem to refer to having loaded them up with drum sets etc in the past (was it once an iconic musicians car??).

This scond set of springs went almost immediately, and while I often have the 2 10 year olds in the back, they are not BIG (yet!) and I only weigh a bit over 10 stone (nervous energy!). As a lot of cars only get used for fair weather outings, and we had no fair weather last year, then I start to wonder how many sets of these have been put in use and seriously used recently? Could be tha I am in a distinct minority.

Any thoughts or reference dimensions gratefully received!!

Oh- and thanks Mr Orange, you echo what others, including old engineering lags, have said. I was clutching at straws with that one- must take the rosy "we can sort it out in this country" glasses off now!!

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Mon May 04, 2009 7:46 am

And does anyone know whether these springs all "spring" from one source? ie if I go to another supplier, will I get the same batch of same manufacture??

Post by **Alec** » Mon May 04, 2009 8:02 am

Hello LA,

I would doubt that there are many manufacturers making replacement springs for Morris Minors given that they rarely need changing.

Spring technology is fairly basic and well understood but I read that modern cars suffer a rather high rate of spring (usually coil) failure to to low quality springs used bu the manufacturers.

You have been supplied with springs that failed prematurely and the supplier should take up the issue with his supplier and ensure that you receive suitable replacements free of charge.

Alec

Post by **jonathon** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:48 am

I know of one major supplier who is commissioning their own leaf springs as we were involved with some preliminary tests. Cannot say more as yet until I know of the release date.
LA I'll sort some dimensions for you when I get back to work.

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Mon May 04, 2009 12:36 pm

jonathon wrote:I know of one major supplier who is commissioning their own leaf springs as we were involved with some preliminary tests. Cannot say more as yet until I know of the release date.
LA I'll sort some dimensions for you when I get back to work.

Thanks muchly, Jonathon.

Why would a major supplier be commissioning their own leaf springs if there are already springs on the market??
Can I read something into that?? I would be interested in your candid comments as a professional with a good reputation! (nothing like a bit of crawling!!) Obviously I do not want to spend the rest of my life changing springs on a regular basis, though I am getting it down to a fine art now!

Once again thanks, Pete.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon May 04, 2009 3:30 pm

The loads you mention are certainly well within (in fact lower quartile) of what a Traveller is designed to carry. You must complain back to the supplier! Re-tempering should work - if there is enough carbon in the steel to start with. But what a process - need to dismantle the spring and re-set every leaf,then re-assemble - and is the detail for each leaf available - I doubt it. The supplier should provide goods that are 'fit for purpose' - these springs you are getting don't seem to fit that description!

Post by **aupickup** » Mon May 04, 2009 5:26 pm

i got some van springs off esm a few years back and they were fine, no problems with them at all
maybe they have changed suppliers by now

i neeed some new ones on my car, ok will wait to hear from jonathon then

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Tue May 05, 2009 7:34 pm

Mmmm... ESM said they would get back to me as soon as possible, haven't heard anything yet... Maybe they are making a custom set for me as they "make their own springs"!! (in this country? for £30 each??)
If this carries on, I'll try a set of s/h saloon springs from my local yard and adapt them with the two extra (weak?) leafs and see how that goes. Don't have much faith in anything new anymore!!

Post by **nslocomotive2** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:56 pm

I would be interested to hear about a good supplier of springs too, my everyday saloon, is a nats whisker away from being "on the stops", I know its a look some people my age spend thousands to get but I would like to have comfort back in the ride of my car

or is there a yard or someone near norfolk that might yeild some goodun's? I might call around and see whats occuring

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue May 05, 2009 10:11 pm

You can cut an inch or so off the bump stop rubbers - to gain some clearance. Other option - make longer spring hangers for the rear. Simple flat bar with two holes - one inch longer raises the car by 1/2". Probably not wise to go more than 2" longer - to raise the car by 1".

Post by **Mogwai** » Tue May 05, 2009 10:19 pm

Not discounting iffy springs but Is the front suspension level as this can affect the opposite corner if uneven. it could have been adjusted to compensate for your worn original springs. a rough check but if you jack the rear wheels of the ground by the center of the axle does the front tilt to one side more