HELPER SPRINGS ???

[Blown_FC]

Can anyone please help me with HELPER SPRINGS.

My rear springs are set a bit low and I need to pick it up a bit and help enforce it a bit.

So, can anyone help me with what to get, where from, and how good they are.....my alternative is to fit air shocks !

Cheers

Mark

[craiga]

Mark,

Have you thought about using station sedan springs? The extra leaf might give you the height you need.

Cheers,

Craig.

[TorqueFC]

dont really know about them, but dont go air shocks.....it will ride like crap!

[graham_fuller]

I think your after uplifting springs. These used to be available from Caravan places. Not sure if you can still get them.
Cheers,
Graham

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

Mark, is the car too low or too "springy"?
I had a new set of leaf springs made up by the local spring manufacturer. Extra leaf as per station sedan and 2" lower with reversed eyes. Cost $400 in 2004.

Going on your pics compared to mine, standard height springs will leave a gap between the tyre and arch.

[Ed]

..and shocks are "dampers" they dampen the action of the spring.. ie stop it from bouncing both under "compression" and "rebound".

a pump up air shock to increase lift is pretty temporary although it can be done.  you may find it will blow out a seal under load.

a fun (also frustrating) way to learn about the physics of suspension and its action is to ride a motorcycle.  You will be amazed... well set up suspension on a bike is worth alot more than horsepower.

Cheers

Ed

[Blown_FC]

Ed, I agree about bike suspension.   On a bike, it can save your life !

My Triumph Sprint ST 900 with single sided swingarm just hugged the road, and always kept me upright no matter how careless I was.

BUT back to FC's

Thanks to all those for your input.   I went down to Tyrepower this morning and found a great product which I think will help me.

It's called IRONMAN LOAD PLUS....it's a short angled Helper spring that Ubolts to the top of your existing leaf springs....the more tension you want or need, the mopre you tighten it down.

The company boasts:

20% less Rear End Body Sag
35% improved ride and handling
40% less body roll
20% less brake pitch ( whatever that means ).

They are used mostly on utes, but will fit any leaf spring application.

They told me $135 fitted !

With little or no load, they could tend to lift the car back up again ( just a little though ), but with load, will maintain height.

Thanks again for the info.....but could be on a winner here !

Cheers

mark

[BOVAFC]

Hey Mark they are exactly what ive fitted to my van and they are spot on for me.I got mine 6months ago for $100 and fitted 'em myself ( very simple ) They do ride a bit higher unloaded but are very easy to adjust by tightening/loosening 2 nuts each side.Only takes a minute each side and you still get your spring rate until these "kick in".Before I had to be careful how much juice I put in for weight,now I can fill the tank and the entire back with STUFF and no worries ;D

[Blown_FC]

Thanks BovaFC...that's just what I wanted to hear !

Hopefully I'll have my beast up and running by October, and maybe we can catch up at the Mandurah run ( Mark Bones Wrecking Yard ).

Hoping to make that my first official club run.

Cheers

Mark

[BOVAFC]

Yea Mark your on,hopefully last years "Bones" run wont happen to me again;that is stay up late and get up early detailing to show her off and then as about to leave for the show get bogged to the axle in dry limestone dust/black sand >:(  >:( ,the joys of livin' in the bush ! Saw your pics in other post,lookin'   SWEEEET 8)

[Blown_FC]

aaaAAAAAaaaarrrrrgggghhhhhh !

 >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( :'( :'( :'( :'(


Brake lines are in  :D
Fuel Lines are in  :D

Helper Springs......well all was going well, until we went to fit the passenger side one......of course, me having a sedan, means that GMH paid $100 000 per year to some design guru to put the spare wheel well in that great location, just an inch or 2 from the rear leaf srpings, meaning no room to fit the u-bolt on the helper spring.

So now I am looking into reversing the rear spring shacklles, to sit low instead of sitting high.

Any thoughts ??

[fastjbav6]

Hey Mark,
Ever thought of fitting ute or van springs?

Seb

[Blown_FC]

Not really...as I'm trying to avoid too much messing around with dissmantling, swapping, fixing, ect ect...plus I spent good money on having these springs hot dipped and recond ect.

Turning the shackles upside down should be a fairly quick and painless excersise and should give me the lift I need with no cost...so I'll try that first.

Failing that, the next cheapest and not so painful option may be air shocks, but I don;t really want to go down that road....so I may have to look at standard height replacement springs van springs with the extra leaf !

Cheers

Mark

PS....on a side not......yesterday was the first day I had it out of the shed in the sunlight.....man, I am so happy....she looks so pretty now !

Thanks for your ideas !

Mark