Parabolics bottoming out

F

FirstLW

Member

Posts

22

Location

Kendal

• Mar 14, 2022

• #1

When I bought my Series 3 Lightweight it was already fitted with a set of new GB Springs Parabolics.

I’ve been puzzling over the suspension bottoming out on the road (eg: on speed humps), and doing some tests today discovered that the rear tyres are hitting the underside of the tub wings well before the bump stops engage. I’m running 235/85 x 16 Mud Terrains. This seems odd. I’ve run 235/85 x 16 MTs on 88” Land Rovers before, on standard springs, and never had a problem.

Has anyone else had problems like this with paras? Any thoughts on how to solve it? My only thought is military style extended spring hangers at the rear, but surely that shouldn’t be necessary.

 

300bhp/ton

Well-Known Member

Posts

5,009

Location

Near MK

• Mar 14, 2022

• #2

Well it all depends what the problem is. If there is enough suspension compression to allow the tyre to hit the bodywork. And working on the assumption the body is all in the correct place abs located correctly. Then you either need to run smaller tyres. Alter the bodywork to stop it being hit or prevent the suspension compressing so much.

All this said, how quickly are you going over speed humps? As it shouldn’t be all that easy to heavily compress the suspension.

 

N

nickjaxe

Well-Known Member

Posts

821

Location

North Cheshire/Merseyside

• Mar 15, 2022

• #3

Tyres should not contact the body before bump stop do there job.
Not sure how much experience you have with old land rovers..but even with paras....you have to slow right down over these bloody road humps or the back end with take off.

Are your shocks in good order and not to soft?

Nick.

 

L

lynall

Well-Known Member

Full Member

Posts

25,754

Location

Kent

• Mar 15, 2022

• #4

Loaded?
I have found the same as Nick that the series 88 do like to bob their arse in the air over speed bumps.

 

WoodyO

Well-Known Member

Posts

365

Location

UK

• Mar 15, 2022

• #5

Shocks and springs aren't the problem here, bump stop or tyres are.

 

300bhp/ton

Well-Known Member

Posts

5,009

Location

Near MK

• Mar 15, 2022

• #6

WoodyO said:

Shocks and springs aren't the problem here, bump stop or tyres are.

Click to expand...

Bump stops shouldn't be...

 

L

lynall

Well-Known Member

Full Member

Posts

25,754

Location

Kent

• Mar 15, 2022

• #7

Its either the car is carrying to much weight, or the springs are not man enough for the job, or both.
Dampers/shocks do as their name suggests, and unless gas wont effect ride height.
Bumpstops only stop metal to metal contact or tyre to body/chassis contact in extreme situations.

Do not forget std series on std leaf spring are as hard a ride as can be when running empty, but fine/nice when loaded, you simply cant have ideal in both situations on leaf springs, there is always a compromise.