Series 3 Leafspring preload

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Ric82

Ric82

Active Member
Posts
93
Location
Lincolnshire
Good Morning all

Just a quick question just replaced all my chassis and spring bushes and the LR Manual talks about spring deflection and setting the distance between chassis and spring before tightening the leaf spring shakes etc.

My question is does everyone do this and if so what's a good technique? I was thinking taking it for a drive to settle things in and then ratchet strap one corner and tighten rinse and repeat.


What's everyone's thoughts on this and how critical the deflection is.


Many thanks
Richard
 
When I did mine I loaded up the back with as much weight as I could til the chassis distance was roughly as per the book. Then drove about a while. Then tightened it all up. But with new springs being so variable I’m not sure the book distances are that valid any more so no idea if it was the right thing to do. The book talks of chains and jacks to set the height but that was too much faff for me. Don’t think I’ve had any issues and it’s been a couple of years.
 
Ric82 said:
Good Morning all

Just a quick question just replaced all my chassis and spring bushes and the LR Manual talks about spring deflection and setting the distance between chassis and spring before tightening the leaf spring shakes etc.

My question is does everyone do this and if so what's a good technique? I was thinking taking it for a drive to settle things in and then ratchet strap one corner and tighten rinse and repeat.


What's everyone's thoughts on this and how critical the deflection is.


Many thanks
Richard
Click to expand...
If you're using OEM bushes that'll work. I had the luxury of doing mine with the body off and strapped it. If you're using polybushes there's no point, they'll just spin.
 
Ric82 said:
Good Morning all

Just a quick question just replaced all my chassis and spring bushes and the LR Manual talks about spring deflection and setting the distance between chassis and spring before tightening the leaf spring shakes etc.

My question is does everyone do this and if so what's a good technique? I was thinking taking it for a drive to settle things in and then ratchet strap one corner and tighten rinse and repeat.


What's everyone's thoughts on this and how critical the deflection is.


Many thanks
Richard
Click to expand...
A regular rubber bonded bush is well... bounded to the metal insert. When you do them up tight it won't rotate freely, it will just stretch and compress the rubber as the insert tries to move. If you tighten it with the axle in the wrong place there won't be enough movement in the bush rubber to cater for the movement it needs, which will result in poor performance and the rubber tearing or breaking its bounding much sooner. :)

Basically don't tighten it at either end of the spectrum, either fully extended or compressed suspension. If you fitted poly bushes then it won't matter as they aren't normally bounded and can rotate freely.
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone so it sounds like I need to set the springs I should have mentioned I'm using the metalastic bushes. I will add to the job list.

Thanks
Richard
 
Just to let you all know I took the landy for a short run to settle the springs and then checked the axle to chassis distance and all seemed about right tighten them up and I can't belive how much better it rides over pot holes and bumps.

Thanks as usual for all the advice.


Richard
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

TS2304
Advice on best way to 'settle' new leaf springs
Replies
8
Views
2K
TS2304
TS2304
ABM
Refitting road springs with polybushes (procedure)
Replies
2
Views
990
ABM
ABM
-Defender110-
My 110 Build thread so far.. (Very Pic Heavy)
2
Replies
29
Views
10K
-Defender110-
-Defender110-
Back
Top