Parabolic Springs on 2a

[Period Look]

I have parabolic springs on my 88" 2a and the drivers side is sagging a bit lower than the other now by about 40mm partly weight distribution but even when unloaded it sits about 25 -30mm lower. Is it possible to have these strengthened or do I just replace them with new or go back to normal leaf springs.

In Dunedin was going to go to Brown & Cope and get some info.

Anyone got any experience with this?

[Ralfie]

If that photo is your Land Rover then you are probably overloaded for the Parabolic springs. They generally do not take the same load rating as normal leaf springs.
The other point is were the springs handed and did you fit the right hand one as it should have?
Due to the torque of the engine, the weight of a side mounted fuel tank and driver LR used to have an extra spring leaf in the right hand side to counteract the additional weight.
As you say have a talk to the local spring manufacturers for their advice as to what can be done.

[Period Look]

You are probably right about the overloading as they only have two leaves in each spring. I didn't fit them they were on it when I bought it. This is my land Rover and it is ex army so has a fuel tank on each side. I try to balance out the weight in these. I think they are just too weak for the purpose I'm using it for.

[De-Ranged]

As I tell most people who want to get there springs reset.... they will sag with in a few yrs and because the temper is messed with they will drop further

The ecomics of it you are better off buying new springs unless you want to sell it

[Period Look]

Where is the best place to buy new springs. Should I buy ordinary leaf or get parabolic again. I will probably do as much road driving as gravel or off rd. my primary use is for getting out there camping in the more rugged areas. That involves carrying a bit of gear for long distances then going off rd for a good bit. So looking for best solution. Just taken it over Old Dunstan rd then through to queenstown and down skippers gully. So that's the kind of thing. I have a roof top tent so with that and the roofrack itself there is about 150kg plus all the other gear.

Think I'm working out I should get some heaven duty leaves, anyone know a good source of new ones.

[Cameron]

if you're looking to get rid of the front ones I may be interested

[Period Look]

Will keep you posted I like the more comfortable ride with the parabolics so if I can keep the front I will

[slidenyo]

could try swapping them over for a start,
then maybe look into getting a suitable load leaf installed.
theres so many arguments for and against parabolics,
the setup you have likely calls for at least a 3 leaf front spring to deal with your rack/tent and gear.
I especially enjoyed the nevis rd and hawksburn rd into my aunties at Bannockburn,
must get down there for more exploring soon.

[Period Look]

Going tomorrow to discuss options with spring guy. Will go a bit better informed now, thanks guys.
Might go and have a look at the Nevis Rd next trip out. Such good weather now its back to work time.

[slidenyo]

yeah well worth it ,
beautiful view into Cromwell from up top ,
also highest public rd in nz

[Period Look]

So spoke to spring guy today. He thought I should take springs off and have them tempered then put an ordinary leaf in to stiffen and lift them a bit, then back on with them.

Went to local land rover 4x4 guy and he said throw them away and put new land rover springs on and forget about parabolics.

Hmmm???

Think Im going to go with the first guy and see what happens, I like the idea of stiffer springs with still some articulation. Anything is going to be a bit better than what I have now which isn't all that bad really just a bit soft.

[oldyella]

I had a friend fit aftermarket leaf springs to his S3. Initially, his rig was like a skateboard on viagra. So he removed some of the leaves. Now it is flexing good but over the years (7) it is settling and getting lower to the point where he needs to put some leaves back in or have them re-set.

He never ran much extra weight. Just a high lift jack and a crate of beer.

So new LR leaf springs probably will be stiff initially but might come right, particularly with the extra weight your running.

I've never had spring's re-set so can't comment on effectiveness or otherwise.

Cheers,

Pete

[De-Ranged]

lol the best example of reset springs
I did a lift on a leaf sprung surf, the young lad who I did if for was desperately trying to over compensate for a small part of his life..... so it ended up being an 11" suspension lift lol I argued against it.... but he was very firm in that it was his money and what he wanted

Anyway both front and rear springs were swopped for longer second hand ones and the springs reset (again I argued against it.....) it flexed like a linked truck what he wanted, he was happy and drove off 4yrs later it has come back to my shop with a different owner sitting where a standard truck would sit... new owner wants me to sort the suspension because it has almost no up travel as its sitting almost on the bump stops!

now this is an extreme example, but this is the common end once you start down this road you have to keep re tempering your springs.... a waist of money compared to new springs

Good luck

[Cameron]

if you get it done by a spring manufacturer it should be sweet?

[slidenyo]

new springs for sure ,
the steel loses all its qualities and a lot of its life span.
they eventually fail by losing all the ductility that remains in the steel,
then go flat or snap

[Period Look]

The weight of opinion seems to be falling on the side of new springs perhaps I should give this further thought.
Here is a picture of the front passenger spring (the best spring) without any loading on it, no roof rack or anything empty truck. The drivers side is a bit flatter than this and the rear springs are flatter still.

You guys have been great with your input thank you very much.

[slidenyo]

that would be ideal if the rover had been loaded,
you could always add a leaf without retempering the original springs.
try swapping them left to right first to see if the truck levels out or gets worse

[Period Look]

Front drivers side

front passenger side

rear passenger side

rear drivers side

Here are all the springs under loading you can see the front isn't too bad but the rears are flat.
Im going to do what you suggest and put a leaf in and see if it improves anything before I start spending.

[slidenyo]

get you spring maker to look at the rocky mountainthree leaf parabolic and then add one to suit

[Period Look]

Been on to Mamaku 4x4 they are getting me a quote for some Rocky Mountain or some Santana ones from Britpart. Cheers.

[Ralfie]

Be worth getting price from 'Lilpigzuk' at Land Rover Spares.
www.landroverspares.co.nz

[Period Look]

Just as an update Ive decided to put new 3 leaf Rocky Mountain parabolics on the rear with new Poly bushes and U bolts. They are in the post now.

[Period Look]

Fitted my new 3 leaf springs today. Took about 3 hours to do both back ones. Sat truck down off jacks and she sat about 25mm higher than before and straight and level. I was very pleased. Took her for a drive after loading gear back in and when I got home I noticed she had settled a little and was low on the right hand side like she had been. Measured the difference and it was 20mm.
So $700 later it's not one bit better. The only explanation is too much weight on drivers side. Even when truck is empty. Must be the transfer case and batteries in the front. I put all the tools and gear in the back over to the passenger side and it levelled out a bit so it was only 5mm lower on drivers side. Tomorrow I will empty the truck and redistribute everything.

[De-Ranged]

Have you swopped the front springs from one side to the other ?
As for leveling the weight I'd start with the fuel tank, move it into the passanger side, then the battery both are relitively easy to do and conbined are worth around 75kg
As for the transfer case don't stress it..... if you look closely the gearbox is slightly offset to passanger side to give the front drive shaft room

[Period Look]

I have two fuel tanks. One on each side. So they balance out. The batteries are are a bit of a problem as I have two both on the drivers side.
The front springs are parabolic a too and are reasonably new but I could try swapping them.

The differences in height is very sensitive as the springs are softer than traditional springs.

I have all my tool kit on the drivers side. Socket set, trolley jack, toolbox etc.
I'm going to move stuff about today and see what happens.

[slidenyo]

I'd swap the fronts too,
maybe head down to a weighbridge and get a bit particular with it.
take it loaded, weigh each corner, front to back and then start redistributing the weight as best possible.
There would be absolutely no shame in having a perfectly balanced rig crawling around the rocks in the high country.

[Period Look]

Good idea.

[Period Look]

Cracked It!! A wet afternoon spent in the shed moving stuff about from one side to the other.

I can't believe how sensitive these parabolic springs are. About 20kgs shows 5mm difference in height.

She is sitting perfectly level now and is a good 30mm higher than before with the new springs.

Just need the rain to go off and it will be time for a wee trip.

Thanks to everyone who commented it was a great help.

[Cameron]

goood result!
bloody nice rig too mate, you should be proud.

[Period Look]

Thanks, I am. I have so much fun with this vehicle. I love working on it too.