Series 3 Parabolic or leaf springs

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Phil Maddox

Member
Posts
33
Location
Stafford
Hi all Happy New Year
1980 S3 SWB and swapping the chassis and gathering parts as i go. All 4 original 9 leaf springs have some terrible rust jacking and need replacing.
I've come across a kit of parabolic springs that looks affordable and from what i've read and seen on YT they are a decent option. They do state that they sit 20-25mm higher than stock. What the general consensus? stick with 9 leaf ones or parabolic ?
Thanks in advance
Phil
 
I've parabolic springs. I like them. If you go for them, you'll be better off buying new shocks. Gas type, and maybe extended jump hoses. I've mine for 15 years or so.

But multi leaf are good, too. Just need to ensure they are kept mud free.
 
Parabolic springs are leaf springs......

More importantly, what are you wanting from the vehicle. Suspension is a setup of many parts. Springs come in different spring rates, even regular leaf and parabolic ones. You need to know what you are trying to end up with, then know some details about the bits you are intending to buy.
 
I'll echo all of the above, but add that you shouldn't expect a magical transformation. I've had parabolics, old multi leaves and new clean multi leaves. New were definitely a bit better than old and much the same as the paras. You'll still be adopting the brace position when you see an upcoming pothole.
 
boguing said:
I'll echo all of the above, but add that you shouldn't expect a magical transformation. I've had parabolics, old multi leaves and new clean multi leaves. New were definitely a bit better than old and much the same as the paras. You'll still be adopting the brace position when you see an upcoming pothole.
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Not wanting to counter this. But I had parabolics on mine, but also a heavily customised suspension setup in general. It rode really really well. Almost as good as a coiler and sometimes better. On a very pot holed green lane in the Elan valley, I could easily cruise at speed over the bumps, while the leaf sprung Series 1 and 3 coil sprung 90's all pottered about at 10mph.

It is all about spring rate and damping. A soft spring will induce a lot more body roll. It will also squat a lot more with a heavy load or towing. But it will be more supple over the bumps and a lot more flexy off road.

Stiff spring rate parabolics will be better for towing or hauling. But could give a comparable or even worse ride compared to a standard leaf pack.
 
300bhp/ton said:
Not wanting to counter this. But I had parabolics on mine, but also a heavily customised suspension setup in general. It rode really really well. Almost as good as a coiler and sometimes better. On a very pot holed green lane in the Elan valley, I could easily cruise at speed over the bumps, while the leaf sprung Series 1 and 3 coil sprung 90's all pottered about at 10mph.

It is all about spring rate and damping. A soft spring will induce a lot more body roll. It will also squat a lot more with a heavy load or towing. But it will be more supple over the bumps and a lot more flexy off road.

Stiff spring rate parabolics will be better for towing or hauling. But could give a comparable or even worse ride compared to a standard leaf pack.
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I should be fair, there's a rutted and potholed track I have to go down to the local LR parts place (Inside Out 4x4, Ollie, good chap) and if I do it at speed it's a lot more comfortable. I haven't driven a coiler for ten years, but my memory is that it was much better at all speeds.

I've forgotten the make of the paras I had, but they were on the car when I bought it and may well have been chosen by someone making the rookie mistake of buying heavy duty because it sounds good. Pretty sure they were blue but not Britpart.

And yes, I'm sure that if proper consultation were done (and the unbiased info available) it would be possible to make it as good as yours, my experience to date led me to replacing old multis with OEM spec.
 
boguing said:
And yes, I'm sure that if proper consultation were done (and the unbiased info available) it would be possible to make it as good as yours, my experience to date led me to replacing old multis with OEM spec.
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Land Rover also offered various springs rates over the years and as options or depending on configuration. Usually done by varying the number of leafs in the pack.

The biggest issues with traditional leaf springs is they can become noisy and the amount of friction between leafs can vary over time. Depending on how they are maintained, how often they are used and if they get flexed much, either off road or by carrying heavy weights.

Parabolics are far more consistent in their spring rate and will not change due to being left. As they are more compliant, they will generally move up and down more. So better damping is normally required. But yes, fitting high spring rate HD parabolics will just give a terrible ride unless heavily laden. But no worse than the same spring rate traditional leaf pack would.
 
300bhp/ton said:
Could you explain? Can't see how it would specifically be the springs that made it scary. So likely not relevant to the discussion. :)
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Well we went to buy the car, and to say it drove terribly is under statement of the year, whether it was the springs or not we shall never know, but for me standard is the way to go.
I was like the springs were made of rubber and the axles were not connected to the car.
 
lynall said:
Well we went to buy the car, and to say it drove terribly is under statement of the year, whether it was the springs or not we shall never know, but for me standard is the way to go.
I was like the springs were made of rubber and the axles were not connected to the car.
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A spring is a spring.... parabolics on their own wouldn't cause that. Are you sure it wasn't the steering? A knackered relay, box or heavily worn linkages are more likely to cause driving issues, but I can't see how the springs could be a fault.
 
300bhp/ton said:
A spring is a spring.... parabolics on their own wouldn't cause that. Are you sure it wasn't the steering? A knackered relay, box or heavily worn linkages are more likely to cause driving issues, but I can't see how the springs could be a fault.
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Tbh I could not tell you as it was well over a decade ago, maybe 15yrs.
 
Rob Sadler said:
is anyone able to recommend a brand name for a set of Parabolic's (preferably British made).

Mine will be mostly used empty.
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The ones to buy used to be Heystee, but not sure if you can still get them. You'd need to speak to them, but they were pricey.

And Rocky Mountain Spares, which were mostly a copy of the Heystee ones but cheaper. But I'm not sure what has happened to Rocky Mountain, you'd need to check also.

Neither British made however. I would think you'd be looking a a 2 leaf on the rear, but it would depend on the design and thickness of leafs too. Used to be able to get a 2 leaf with a 'helper' spring that only engaged under load. You might get away with a 3 leaf, if you are a county hard top with windows, but possibly a little stiff.
 
Phil Maddox said:
Hi all Happy New Year
1980 S3 SWB and swapping the chassis and gathering parts as i go. All 4 original 9 leaf springs have some terrible rust jacking and need replacing.
I've come across a kit of parabolic springs that looks affordable and from what i've read and seen on YT they are a decent option. They do state that they sit 20-25mm higher than stock. What the general consensus? stick with 9 leaf ones or parabolic ?
Thanks in advance
Phil
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My vote goes for keep it original. Unless we are talking about drum brakes that are impossibly hard to adjust, bleed... well I guess it makes you take a look under the chassis and give you some exercise so keep that too.
 
CakeBandit said:
My vote goes for keep it original. Unless we are talking about drum brakes that are impossibly hard to adjust, bleed... well I guess it makes you take a look under the chassis and give you some exercise so keep that too.
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My last S2a was my daily drive for 15 years or more, but for comfort, I used to keep a lot of weight in the back.
I don't really want to carry unnecessary weight, so I'm keen to try parabolic springs on the latest incarnation.
Thanks for your suggestions. I'll probably try GB Springs.
 
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