Soft Rear Springs

[KenFern]

Hi, Can someone advise on my rear springs as I wonder if they need replacing. The back end of the car a 4 door seems very soft and I can push it down to the bump stops with only light pressure, the shocks seem ok as it doesnt bounce back all over the place when I do the usual bounce checks. the body only seems to be about 2" maximum from the bump stops. I have measured up and the distance from the rear wheel arch to the centre of the wheel is 12.75".is this normal?

I was out in the car on sunday and went over some small speed bumps at no more than 20mph and the back end semed to take off, nobody will sit in the back as the ride is so bouncy.

can you advise please, many thanks

Ken

[mike.perry]

You should just about move the springs by pushing on the back wheel arches. Check that there are no broken leaves. Also check that the rear end of the springs are not resting on the chassis, the spring hanger should keep them clear. How many leaves do the springs have?
Just read your other posting, 1970 so five leaf springs. I think that you need new springs, the front spring hanger can be a pig to undo.

[bmcecosse]

Try draining the oil from the dampers - and refill with SAE 30 or 40 . That's NOT 10W40....

[MarkyB]

Once you have done that and driven the car, check that it isn't leaking out.

A wipe with a rag is usually enough to get knackered shocks though an MOT, but they are still knackered.

[bmcecosse]

The fact you say the rear end is sitting 2" clear of the bump stops - suggests to me that the springs are ok - unless the bumpstops have been cut down ?

[kennatt]

if the springs have gone soft they stretch and the rear shackle hits the chassis just look at the rear of the chassis and if you can see a mark then the springs have had ,it if not then as bm says do the shockers

[KenFern]

Thanks for the post, did the rear shockers yesterday..
N/Side taken off about 2 tablespoons of oil came out, refilled with sae30 oil as suggested in another post and it really stiffened it up, replaced.
O/Side, taken off, no oil in it and no resistance, filled with sae oil in case but it wasnt any good, it seems to be leaking around the shaft as you operate the lever. Guess its had it.

Looks like I need a pair of recon shockers then, also had a good look at the springs and my previous post was wrong as there is only enough room between the bump stop and chassis to get my fingers so it looks like its springs as well.

Ken

[MarkyB]

I did this job on my friends car on Friday and got about 3 tablespoons of nasty, thin, stinky liquid out.
They clearly weren't a pair, one had been painted with Blue Hammrite so a reconditioned unit at some time in it's life.

I'll have to get her to check if either of them are leaking now.

I'd suggest you see how things go once the shocks are working, the quality of new springs seems to leave a lot to be desired and it might not be long before they are flatter than the ones you have.

[KenFern]

Thanks for the info Marky, I will just try a new set of shockers first then.

Ken

[bmcecosse]

Cut an inch off the bump stop rubbers - but leave them 'tapered' at the top.