Anyone interested in Parabolic rear springs?

[linearaudio]

I am in the process of getting a development set of parabolic springs made as I have had very mixed results with the standard ones, both quality/ load rating/ ride height, and also variation in ride quality depending on how long & in what weather the vehicle has stood. The advantage of parabolics is a more progressive supple ride as there are only two leaves and only point contact between them, hence no interleaf friction. (On Landrovers it is said to equal the ride quality of the later coil sprung models). The disadvantage being that the lever arm dampers would be unlikely to be sufficient as the damping effect of inter-leaf friction will be removed, hence an upgrade to telescopic dampers would appear neccessary. So this would not be a straightforward direct swap.

Having said all that, the company doing the work is interested in gauging potential interest from other owners if, and when, the prototype set are proved. Costing is being calculated at the moment on a one off plus development agreement, but would likely be in the £120-£150 range for a pair.


Who out there might feel brave?? Not asking for committal, just finger-in-the-air feeling for the idea!

[dp]

No commital but maybe. What sort of guarantee of 'well-builtness' would be offered?

[linearaudio]

No commital but maybe. What sort of guarantee of 'well-builtness' would be offered?

Supplier states: "British made from quality British EN47 Spring steel".

I reserve the right of sceptiscism until I have seen and tried some!

[Kevin]

It will be interesting to see how it progresses, and are they likely to do a Traveller version.

[PSL184]

Interested in principle but I would require Traveller and Van spec....

[linearaudio]

Sorry about the vagueness- I forgot a vital point- these will be going on a Traveller! Does anyone have the spring rate quoted in any technical info? These guys have a set of figures from their archive records, but I wouldn't mind a confirmation!

[bmcecosse]

I did seem to remember the sagging spring problems were with a Traveller!

[linearaudio]

I did seem to remember the sagging spring problems were with a Traveller!

Now entirely opposite- I have a set of van springs fitted which don't budge even with a full load! But we have been here before!

[bmcecosse]

Well - you could just remove two of the leaves........

[linearaudio]

Well - you could just remove two of the leaves........

"But we have been here before......."

[bmcecosse]

Remove 3 leaves ?

[linearaudio]

Remove 3 leaves ?

[bmcecosse]

You can see where i'm heading - there must come a point where it's 'just right' !

[linearaudio]

You can see where i'm heading - there must come a point where it's 'just right' !

Yes, its called "parabolic springs"

[dp]

Did Travellers have the same spring rating as saloons or were they uprated?

[bmcecosse]

Travs have 7 leaves - saloons have 5.