Discovery 1 300tdi - rear springs don't look right.Thoughts?

[trs998]

My discovery rides a bit low - about 4 fingers above the top of the rear tyre. It sits about 2" clear of the bump stops (the pointy rubber ones)
My other one rides a lot higher - about 1.5 handspans clear of the rear tyre.
My this one also bottoms out at the rear often, with a jarring thump. Common on speedbumps, and particularly when carrying rear seat passengers or loads.
I'm fairly sure the ride height is too low.

So, bought new springs from Rimmer Bros - but I think I've been sent fronts (shorter, fatter) and not rears. Rimmer Bros assure me that this isn't the case. They also say single green stripe (as on this spring) shows I have the right spring.

And yet it's shorter. Can anyone confirm what I see?

[Dave^]

It'll be stiffer, so won't compress as much under the weight of the car... I assume...

[Super Slo Mo]

It also looks like it's a progressive spring, so the coils that are closer together will close up under light load, effectively stiffening the remaining spring.

Easy way to find out, fit them and see. It doesn't take long at the back of a Disco to pop a pair of springs in.

[trs998]

These are fitted now, and the ride height seems about the same - lower than I was expecting. Haven't driven it yet.

It has about half the gap between rear arch and tyre than standard, as seen, for example, here:
http://readingandwrighting.wordpress.com/2013/08/1...

[Super Slo Mo]

Right, in the interests of some kind of vague science, I've just been outside and measured mine.

Bear in mind that it's sitting on a slight uphill and the suspension is sagging a bit on the driver's side.

Gap above the tyre to the outside wheel arch is approx 3" on the driver's side, while it's approximately 4" on the passenger side. The passenger side gap looks about right. I'm going to get new springs for it at some point soon anyway.

Hope this is of some use to you.

[trs998]

Science!
Mine's 2" top top of tyre (slightly higher in middle than shoulder) on drivers side, and 3" on passenger side.

[Super Slo Mo]

Ok, then that does sound too low to me, especially considering mine is slightly uphill so the rear will be slightly more compressed than on the flat.

[Martin4x4]

That 'original' spring looks yellow, if that is the case they are almost certainly after market Britpart springs which come in standard, +40 and +50mm sizes.

http://www.britpart.com/parts/suspension-and-axle/...

[Dave^]

Good point ^

Have you measured the uncompressed length of both the old and new springs?

http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=43177

[trs998]

Old Springs (uncompressed): 438mm and 434mm
New springs (uncompressed): 390mm (approx)
New springs (compressed): 260mm and 250mm (other thread suggests should be 12.2"/309mm)
Top 4 coils (note new ones are variable rate) are coilbound already.

Gear on back of landy:
Roof rack (two cross bars, plus standard disco grid over front sunroof) (maybe 10kg?)
Ladder (standard landy) (maybe 5kg?)
Towbar (ajustable height, bit heavier than standard one) (maybe 30kg?)
Oils etc (mayb 30kg of fluids of various sorts)
Two lightweight LED floods (maybe 2kg total)
Assorted junk (maybe 20kg)

Old springs, with some wire brushing, reveal traces of black paint in sheltered areas. So little paint, I suspect they may be original.

Maybe I should buy RKB101230P and RKB101240P (defender 90 rear coil springs, left and right) ? Maybe I have correct springs but 150kg extra is too much (seems odd)
I believe from the other thread that 110/130 coils are a greater diameter. I don't need a lift, just the original ride height would be nice. Though it is frequently carrying heavy loads and/or towing.

[trs998]

Interestingly, Britpart's idea of "Heavy" load is 200kg - I am often carrying more than that.

This lift and 200kg load kit has a vary similar free height to the original, but I suspect the 200kg load rating would give greater height under "normal" load (in my case, see above for estimates of weight of contents of boot). This might take me up above the normal height, or might take me to the height. Puzzling.

http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-RA1351RBP50HL

[Super Slo Mo]

What about land rover heavy duty items? I had them on a disco some years back and never had a problem with the rear sitting too low.
They should available through your local dealer, not sure if there are other sources for them. eBay maybe.

[Martin4x4]

Page 111 contains a full list of loads and lengths

http://www.britpart.com/downloads/britpart-accesso...

[Martin4x4]

trs998 said:

I believe from the other thread that 110/130 coils are a greater diameter.

Bar diameter is bigger, but coil diameter should be the same.

[trs998]

Aaah, that Britpart list says the stock springs should be 285mm tall, which fits what I have received. I think I need a longer spring so that it is tight in the cup with the shock at maximum extent, and a slightly heavier spring to compensate for all the crap bolted to or laying in the back.

In totally unrelated news, I discovered a hole in the nearside sill I can put my hand through.

[trs998]

Well, I've plumped for Britpart DA4204 - should be higher, and therefore not slip out of the top cup regardless of rear axle extent, up until the limit. I can easily unbolt the spring retainers (had to cut the old ones off though) so easy enough to change with spring compressors.

Hopefully this should put me at or near the correct ride height with the stuff it carries (it's the rescue vehicle for others, so carries fluids, tow ropes, etc etc)

A bit of a difference isn't going to bother me.

Anyone want two new standard springs?

[Super Slo Mo]

Tempted.

I think I probably need a complete suspension refresh mind, it's got over 150k on the clock on what seems to be original suspension.