Rear spring pads

[dalgrae]

Advice please I intend to replace the rear spring top and bottom rubber pads that are perished on my 4 door , the question is please do I replace like for like with rubber or do I use the Poly type , if I use the Poly type will I notice the difference in the ride , ie on suspension they tend to be a harsher ride according to some reports which I would not like , also any tips on the replacement or is it straight forward enough

[bmcecosse]

I would go for poly - They should last 'for ever'. They won't affect 'ride' .

[dalgrae]

many thanks I imagine I should tighten the U bolts up until they feel tight but not overtight

[mogbob]

Pop the new pads in and put the nuts back on finger tight.
Put the wheel back on each side and remove axle stands and jack.
THEN tighten the nuts up as you describe, when the weight is back on the axle again.
Do a good few miles in it and then double check for tightness again.

Might be a good idea to wire brush the old nuts now and hit them with Plusgas, so it's easy to dismantle when the time comes.

Is there anything else, whilst you doing the rear suspension, that looks as though it needs replacing
rusted plates/ bump stops , etc ?
Bob

[bmcecosse]

Weight on the suspension means the U bolts are carrying the load - while this is good advice for all the moving parts of the rear suspension...I feel it is NOT good advice for the U bolts. I would tighten them very firmly with the weight NOT on the suspension.

[dalgrae]

Thanks for the info