Page 1 of 1
Early failure of leaf springs?
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:40 pm
by linearaudio
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?
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:02 pm
by bmcecosse
Probably down to poor quality - although significant it's the right side - where driver sits !! Are the rear bump stops present and correct ?
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:18 pm
by PSL184
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.
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:10 pm
by bmcecosse
If no bump stop - the spring will easily overtravel - and that may 'help' it to flatten out. Simples !!
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:13 pm
by PSL184
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....
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:17 pm
by bmcecosse
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.
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:32 am
by kennatt
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.
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:55 am
by jonathon
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.
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:53 pm
by bmcecosse
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
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:09 pm
by plastic_orange
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
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:39 pm
by Onne
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)
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:07 pm
by rayofleamington
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

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:14 pm
by linearaudio
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?
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:16 pm
by aupickup
i bought some van springs a few years ago from esm and had no problems with the springs
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:26 pm
by linearaudio
Ohhhh........!
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 10:50 pm
by PSL184
I guess we know where you got yours from then
