How to raise rear ride height?leaf spring?rear shakle plate?

Post by **h20_mako** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:13 am

I have a 7-leaf spring on my tourer and the rear is sitting between 1.5" to 2" lower compared to the front.

Currently there is a 1/2" gap between the buffer and body.

Any advice on raising the rear up by 1.5" to 2"? other than fitting new springs?

I have searched and read about other post but got more confused.

Thanks

Post by **mrbenn** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:09 pm

You can get longer shackle plates but I think they would have to be a lot longer to raise the ride height by 2 inches.

I got some longer plates early this year from Jonathon on the board here, raised the rear end a little which was all I needed.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 4:15 pm

You can indeed make longer shackle plates - just flat steel bar 1.5" wide X 5/16" thick would do it. For every inch you increase the distance between the holes - it raises the car by 1/2" . So - the MAX I suggest is 2" more to raise the car by 1". You can safely cut an inch or so off the bump rubbers to give increased travel on the rear suspension - if possible - re-taper them to the original shape after cutting off the top!

Post by **Alec** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 4:55 pm

Hello H20,

just check first that a previous owner hasn't put a lowering block between the axle and the spring?

Alec

Post by **h20_mako** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:14 pm

is longer shackle plates my only option? Does adding another leaf on the top help?

Thanks Alec but i am sure there is no lowering block between axle and spring. Do you happen to have a picture of a fixed lowering block, as i like to see how it works and probably do the opposite to raise height instead.

Roy thanks again

so is 2" the max i can go? What if i do a 3" longer plate and have a bolt or weld a bridge between 2 plates in the middle for rigidity?

Thanks

Post by **Alec** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:23 pm

Hello H20,

I don't have a picture but it is a simple spacer that goes between the axle and the spring and needs longer 'U' bolts to hold it.

You can't use that idea to raise the car as a Minor's axle tube is above the spring, so it can only be lowered that way.

If there is no lowering block then are the springs past their best for the car to be so low? Perhaps new springs are all you need?

Alec

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:24 pm

Yes - you could certainly do that - put a tube over the bolt, between the two plates. I 'think' it will be ok - but you do this at your own risk of course! You can't do the opposite of the 'lowering blocks' unfortunately. You could buy new springs - standard for your car would be 5 leaf springs. However there have been 'problems' recently with new springs here in the UK - although i thil all reports refer to the 7 leaf Trav spring.

Post by **Peetee** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:11 pm

However there have been 'problems' recently with new springs here in the UK - although i thil all reports refer to the 7 leaf Trav spring.

Not so. My 5 leaf's have flattened to the point that the rear shakle plates are angled back so far the spring scroll is contacting the chassis with just the weight of the car.

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:46 pm

Are these recent springs? All seems to point to 2" being the "correct" clearance to bumpstop, so extending the shackles by 2" would only give you 1.5" clearance. Therefore I guess your springs are pretty "flat"!
It is possible to get springs re-tempered/reset over here, don't know what facilities you may have locally! I'm sure someone could give you some reference dimensions if that were an option. The worry with "jacking up" already flat springs is that at some time you will find the breaking point of the top leaf!

Post by **Peetee** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:56 pm

I should have mentioned that my springs elongated almost immediately and now have about 100 miles in them.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:09 pm

Wow - so that's the 5 leaf springs are useless too ? What does the supplier say about this ??

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:25 pm

bmcecosse wrote:Wow - so that's the 5 leaf springs are useless too ? What does the supplier say about this ??

"Never heard of any problems before" I imagine!

Post by **Peetee** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:07 am

Wow - so that's the 5 leaf springs are useless too ? What does the supplier say about this ??

I have no time at all to dedicate to Minors at the mo so haven't approached the supplier. Sitting here now the thought of removing them, sending them back, fending off potential differences of opinion and refitting some others (which will probably go the same way) is an unachievable proposition. I'm hoping someone on this site may come up with a miracle solution.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:15 am

You could ask the supplier to do all that! They appear to hav supplied something that is not fit for purpose. Certainly you must reprt it to them - and ask them what they are going to do about it! Could always threaten small court claim............

Post by **alanworland** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:33 am

The suppliers must be made aware of the situation concerning these inferior springs, springs should last for years and will wear out (wear ridges on theunder side of leaves), it should not be possible to 'overload' them as the bump stops will see to this.

Post by **billlobban** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:39 am

Is there any supplier anyone would recommend for Traveller springs as I'm just about to pay for a set.

Post by **IaininTenbury** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:01 pm

I'd suspect they come form the same maufacturer, regardless of supplier. May be wrong tho.
Having the same problem with Land Rover springs at the moment too. Fitted the heftiest 1ton spec rear springs and its still low at the back. Ended up with milatary spec long shackles just to get it sitting level.
Perhaps new spring steel isnt what it used to be

Post by **kennatt** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:47 am

don't think its the steel its the tempering,I think,My 5 leaf fitted about a year ago are too stiff,sits 2 inches off the bump stops but has absoulutly no springing.Thinking about taking the small bottom leaf off to soften it up a bit. Can different tempering heats and quenshing make a difference to a spring,don't know but suppose it can

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:56 am

I reckon you are right! It's ALL in the tempering.

Post by **Alec** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 4:16 pm

Hello Kennatt,

temperatures are what it is that gives the temper.
For example, when at college we made a screwdriver, this needs a hard tip and a tough shaft. From memory, I think the shaft was heated cherry red and then just the tip quenched in water, Polish the shaft and wait until it is straw coloured then quench the lot, so a different temper on two parts of the same component.

Alec