5-leaf spring going flat?

Post by **Chris Morley** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:20 am

Ten years ago this month I fitted a new rear spring on the offside of my 2-door. Probably 95% of the time it's just me in the car and now the top of the rubber bump stop is within 1cm of the flat plate. I'm guessing the spring has 'flattened' a bit? Is this typical (bearing in mind I'm no lightweight)? I have checked for breakages, but all the leaves are fine, as are the rubber pads. Is there any way to compensate for this?

Ironically the spring on the nearside is much older, but there is still a 2cm gap on that side! At the time I was told by more than one person that it was essential to replace both springs at the same time. I'm glad I ignored that advice!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 10:12 am

Yes this is typical - it's caused by shoddy parts processing.

I had new springs on the back of a S3 landrover - by the time we got to Timbuktu it had a 2" lean

Post by **IslipMinor** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:17 pm

You could try to increase the offside front ride height on the torsion bar slightly and see if that helps? When we first got the Minor nearly 45 years ago, is was down slightly on the nearside, so replaced the rear ns spring. No difference, so adjusted the ns torsion bar and everything was back to where it should be.

Those same rear springs are still on the car now, just with the bottom leaf removed, turned upside down and replaced on the top of the spring to soften and lower (done almost 40 years ago when the 13" wheels were bought). One spring is the original and almost 51 years old, the other 45.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 8:55 pm

10 years is not too bad! Just fit longer shackle plates at the rear of the spring - can be easily made from flat bar - increse the hole spacing by 1" to raise the car by 1/2" . I wouldn't go cranking up the front to try to compensate for rear springs. Correct way to do it of course is the measure the corner weights (ideally with driver on board) - and adjust springs to suit.

Post by **mrmorrisminor** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 12:45 am

I had the same problem after just a couple of years. Luckily I had kept the old springs so I took the longest leaf out of the old and added it to my 'new' set (just had to make up some new clips to hold the ends in place). I have been running on 6 leaves for the past 9 years or so and it is still good! The car corners much better too than with the standard set!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:34 am

Yes - I've been planning doing just that (with 7 leaf Trav springs) to make them into 8 leaves for a year or two now - just haven't found the time !

Post by **Chris Morley** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 3:36 am

Some interesting ideas here, thanks to all that replied! I'll see if its an issue at the MOT next week.

Post by **alanworland** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:51 pm

Very interesting! I have been toying with the idea of removing a couple of leaves from my 7 leaf setup (7/32 thick not 1/4) to give a less harsh ride.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:50 pm

Harsh ride ? Are you sure it's not bottoming out on the bump stops ? That's the only 'harsh' sensation I get with my Trav!

Post by **alanworland** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:31 pm

Certainly not! the rear springs just seem so 'unspringy'
I ditched the originals because they had wear ridges in them - wish I hadn't because they were far better, the new ones seem so hard!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:38 pm

Your lucky! There have been reports of quite the opposite - where did your new springs come from ?
The original poster in this thread - could of course just swap the springs over - left to right - and the 'good' spring will then be carrying the extra weight. Should be ok for another 10 years or so!

Post by **Chris Morley** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 1:45 am

The original poster in this thread - could of course just swap the springs over - left to right - and the 'good' spring will then be carrying the extra weight. Should be ok for another 10 years or so!

I did consider doing this but you can guarantee the bolts will be solidly rusted. Fitting longer shackle plates on the sagging side may be the way to go. Hopefully it won't be an issue at the MOT as the bump stop isn't touching the underfloor.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:43 am

Oh the MOT lads won't worry about that!

Post by **alanworland** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 12:42 pm

My springs came from 'Ask For Morris' back in 1985! but they have only been used for the last couple of years.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 2:20 pm

Not heard of them - are they still around ?

Post by **alanworland** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:52 pm

Not heard of them for years. 2 springs delivered was just over £50!

Post by **kennatt** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:33 am

i've got the same problem as alan,Put two new springs,and polly bushed about two years ago,very hard suspension is the result,the only springing is from the tyres,The only time I get a smooth ride is when I have a small trailor hitched up.I've come to the conclusion that if I want a smoother ride I'm either going to remove a leaf(Its Five system) Or put a paving slab in the boot.It really is uncomfortable on bumpy roads.One plus it handles better than my old mgb on corners absolutly no body roll. Got the springs from Tom Roys,I asked Chris If other had said the same and he says several have said that the springs are very hard,Suppose in five years they might settle in but definitely too hard at the moment,to the point that I don't like to drive the car. And before anyone asks they are nowhere near to the bump stops.

Post by **Mick_Anik** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:51 am

Would it be okay to trim the tops of the bump stops if they are too close to the spring, and thus (obviously!) increase the gap between the two?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:58 am

So - there seems to be considerable variation over the rate of springs supplied ! Assuming of course the suspension is not 'bound up' in some way - with the shackles having been nipped up too tight and/or with the suspension dangling? And yes - to answer MA - there is plenty of over travel in the rear dampers and it is perfectly ok to trim the bump stops - I have about an inch off mine - and it still squats on to them very easily. So - there is soft movement and then sudden harshness!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 6:52 pm

Would it be okay to trim the tops of the bump stops if they are too close to the spring, and thus (obviously!) increase the gap between the two?

You would need to do both the same.