Series 3 2.25 Diesel 88" Front Leaf Springs

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Ric82

Ric82

Active Member
Posts
93
Location
Lincolnshire
Hi everyone,

I noticed over the weekend that my front spring seems very close to the chassis. Is this normal? I've checked the axle-to-chassis height on a flat surface with no extra weight, and it matches the manual's specifications.

New suspension bushes were fitted all around this summer, including springs and chassis components. However, I'm a bit concerned that the springs might be due for replacement.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Forgot to say the vehicle sits level and looks fine I just keep my eye on all these little bits and try and head off an issue before it becomes one :)

Thanks,
Richard
 

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Ric82 said:
Hi everyone,

I noticed over the weekend that my front spring seems very close to the chassis. Is this normal? I've checked the axle-to-chassis height on a flat surface with no extra weight, and it matches the manual's specifications.

New suspension bushes were fitted all around this summer, including springs and chassis components. However, I'm a bit concerned that the springs might be due for replacement.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Forgot to say the vehicle sits level and looks fine I just keep my eye on all these little bits and try and head off an issue before it becomes one :)

Thanks,
Richard
Click to expand...
Do you have a rear spring on the front? They are longer
 
kermit_rr said:
Do you have a rear spring on the front? They are longer
Click to expand...
I don't know as I have never changed the front springs. But these springs do look different then the rear the loops around the bush are shaped different.

As far as I know there correct is there anyway to measure them and tell?

Thanks
Richard
 
The usual way is to jack the vehicle under the bumper until the wheel [both same time best] is just leaving the ground, remove wheel itself for more accurate measure. With tape measure from center of eye bolt to the other eye bolt center.
Looking at the angle of your spring hanger in pic I would say spring looks a bit flat.
 
If you've got a Britpart front bumper fitted, I'd recommend using a stout block of wood about 3' long under the bumper before you start jacking.
 
Shouldn’t have thought you could fit them wrong way round , did you say you had fitted new springs
Can you post a pic of the whole spring
I’ll measure my hanger lengths tomorrow, I have an 88 diesel,, should be 11 leaves with 9 leaves just on the petrol
 
Last edited:
steve2286w said:
Shouldn’t have thought you could fit them wrong way round , did you say you had fitted new springs
Can you post a pic of the whole spring
I’ll measure my hanger lengths tomorrow, I have an 88 diesel,, should be 11 leaves with 9 leaves just on the petrol
Click to expand...
I will try and get a picture tomorrow, I fitted new springs on the back because when I bought it the truck all sat cock eyed, I think the springs was on the wrong side but I decided to do all the bushes and replace spring on the rear.

Front I just dropped the springs down and replaced the bushes I haven't had the front springs off.

Thanks
Ric
 
Good morning all,

@steve2286w please see attached pictures.

Thanks
Richard
 

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The hanger bolt centres on mine is 90mm with a 12mm gap before spring hits chassis,
Note the angle of the dangle on mine it’s much more vertical than your hanger
To me it suggests a weakened spring, think I counted 11 leaves on yours as it should be but are they all intact of one or more cracked
Is the other side the same


IMG_3609.jpeg
IMG_3610.jpeg
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steve2286w said:
The hanger bolt centres on mine is 90mm with a 12mm gap before spring hits chassis,
Note the angle of the dangle on mine it’s much more vertical than your hanger
To me it suggests a weakened spring, think I counted 11 leaves on yours as it should be but are they all intact of one or more cracked
Is the other side the same


View attachment 330945View attachment 330946View attachment 330947View attachment 330948
Click to expand...
Perfect thanks I will measure my hangers abit later, both springs are exactly the same both side I'm sure they didn't use to be this close either.


Thanks
Ric
 
Forgot to mention you can also check the free camber and compare with spec in handbook
My new rear springs were quite close to what they should have been before fitting
 
Ric82 said:
Perfect thanks I will measure my hangers abit later, both springs are exactly the same both side I'm sure they didn't use to be this close either.


Thanks
Ric
Click to expand...
Okay so I have measured the hangers and center to center is 90mm so I have just bit the bullet and order a pair of from springs from paddocks OEM spec so let's see f new springs sort the issue.

Thanks
Ric
 
kermit_rr said:
I should really do this.. when you say easy. What special tools do you need?
Click to expand...
Once you get spring off , then either Couple G clamps or put in vice and there is a both goes through middle about 8mm you can buy the part or use an 8mm Allen bolt , I’ve done both
There is the clamps around springs to remove too just open up with chisel/ big screwdriver to release leaves
Undo nut on said stud then relax vice or clamps to separate leaves.
Mini grinder with cup brush to clean up
Paint and reassemble in reverse

I snapped one of the clamps but made a new one out of some black bar 25x5 mm ?

The clamps fit to springs with a Roundhead rivet 3/8” from memory
 

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steve2286w said:
Once you get spring off , then either Couple G clamps or put in vice and there is a both goes through middle about 8mm you can buy the part or use an 8mm Allen bolt , I’ve done both
There is the clamps around springs to remove too just open up with chisel/ big screwdriver to release leaves
Undo nut on said stud then relax vice or clamps to separate leaves.
Mini grinder with cup brush to clean up
Paint and reassemble in reverse

I snapped one of the clamps but made a new one out of some black bar 25x5 mm ?

The clamps fit to springs with a Roundhead rivet 3/8” from memory
Click to expand...
Thanks!
How do you deal with the rivet? Or leave it in place?
Mine are old and opened up with rust etc but they haven't done many miles (been off the road a long time) are they knackered or can i strip and clean them up?
 
If you can open up the clamps and reuse the m then no need to worry about the rivets , only need then if you need to make a new clamp and rivet it on
I would strip and clean and have a check, I got a surprise and found two snapped leaves on one side , so I chopped down the 2nd shortest to match the shortest and put a short one on either side
This lowered the rear by maybe an inch
And was ok for general use but when heavily loaded with wet manure it hit the bump stops going over bumps, used it like this for a few years before putting new on
IMG_1264.jpeg
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