Saggy ar%e!!

[williamraff]

Hi, I have recently purchased a 1969 traveller with telescopic shockers all round. The front end looks ok but the back end looks very tired and down at heel. Is it possible to fit spring assistors to the rear to raise the ride height, or is it new springs?
I also seem to remember some owners putting extra leafs in the springs but I am not actually sure if that lifts them or just makes the ride firmer.
can anyone advise ?
Thanks, Will.

[mike.perry]

There should be no problem with standard 7 leaf Traveller springs. Check that it has the correct springs and that they are not broken or sagging.

[bmcecosse]

As above - look under at the clearance from the bump stop tip to the pad on the chassis leg. Should be ~ 1.5" . Also look at the rear of the spring and see how much the shackle is 'folded over' - and how close the spring now sits to the chassis leg there. If you search for threads back through the forum there have been some recent problems with new Trav (in particular) springs sagging in very short time. One member has fitted Van springs - which don't seem to sag but are likely very harsh! You could of course add a leaf or two to the Trav springs -which should already be 7 leaves thick. Any extra should help to lift the static height and will also increase the harshness. I lifted mine slightly by fitting longer rear shackle plates - they are only flat bar and v easy to make. 1" longer between the holes = 1/2" lift at the bump stop. I wouldn't go beyond 2" longer bars - in fact maybe only 1.5".
You could also consider trying to use the (expensive!) parabolic springs sold for MGBs - I doubt they will be a straight fit - but maybe not that much in it.

[williamraff]

Good advice as always, I will report back with my findings.
Cheers,Will .

[Peetee]

Yes I would avoid new springs at the moment. I am still using a new set that have flattened and are giving an appalling ride. I know from the various comments on the Minor forums that there are quality issues but I have yet to have confirmation from the suppliers in general that this problem exists and that suitable quality replacements are now available.

[williamraff]

Right, would I be right in thinking we are talking about Bull Motif here? I recently rang for a price on rear springs and was very surprised at how cheap they were. To the point that I can not see how they could be made, transported, stored and a profit applied at that price .

[bmcecosse]

I think there is probably only one source of springs for all suppliers - so I wouldn't single out any particular vendor. But - feel free to phone them and ask them if their springs are 'sag free' - I'm sure they are aware of the problem, and I do believe a few weeks ago we were led to believe they had the problem solved.

[MColes]

BM are pretty good I told them about the split boots on my track rod ends and they sent me a new set

[Peetee]

would I be right in thinking we are talking about Bull Motif here

Nope.

I think there is probably only one source of springs for all suppliers

Probably. Do the retailers get in contact with each other if they are supplied with faulty goods to see if it's a batch issue? I don't see why they should put up with it any more than we have to. Quality of goods is in their interests too, surely?

[williamraff]

I agree, I should also point out at this stage that I have had nothing but the best in advice and service from Bull Motif and merely posed the question .
Will.