New springs?

[Gresley]

Hi all,

In a couple of weeks I will be fitting new front dampers to my Stag, and I was wondering if there is a way to tell if I need new springs? The handling has gone off a little from what it was, but I blame the dampers for that. What I don't want is to end up with some kind of dragster in reverse if I replace the front springs and not the rears!!

Any thoughtS appreciated!

Brian

[Andrew S]

It all depends on how the car sits. If its at the right height, save yourself some money. Saying that, they are not expensive and there is no extra work involved in fitting if you are doing the dampers.

[Gresley]

Thanks Andrew, they are probably OK then.

I am wondering whether to go for the 1" lowered springs, but don't know what a Stag on them looks like. Never seen one that I know of!

Brian

[SGN]

Hi Brian

I have 1" lowered all round, it looks fine,I only put them on because it measured too high before I fitted them,(wheel centre to arch) but it certainly doesn't look lowered.
Not sure if the photo is any help.
IMG_0683.JPG

Cheers
Steve

Cheers
Steve

[Marco Polo]

Heres a picture of mine with 15" wires and Tony Hart's lowered progressive rate springs. Taken a couple of weeks ago on the coast road between Cairns and Port Douglas. I've also fitted Datsun half shafts, Koni shocks and poly bushes. It goes round the bends like it's on rails.

P1030494.jpg

Winter has returned to North Queensland!
regards,
Raoul

[Giles]

mines on old standard springs that i reckon have settled a bit - looks about the same as the ones above - i think it looks about right, so at least I know what to go for when I replace them. I have always thought that new standard ones look too high

[flying farmer]

I fitted the Tony Hart ones as well, though they dropped mine by about 3 inches, but the rear springs had booster springs fitted over the shocks (it had been fitted with a towbar at some time) and the newish front springs had the front end way too high for my liking
I haven't got any photos, but it looks like the ones previously posted, and the cornering is much improved. It used to lean like a yatch in a gale before
Neil

[StagnJag]

If I remember correctly, it should be 14 1/2" from the centre of the wheel to the top of the wheel arch lip on all four corners. I have got an extra 1 1/2" t the front on mine for some unfathomable reason. (Useful extra ground clearance for speed humps!)

Rgds

Dave

[Gresley]

Thanks for the advice and pictures, it's a big help. I was not sure if springs simply settled over time, or failed in some other way. My car does not seem to have settled much and it handles great, the springs are original I think. They look a little tatty though, so I will probably re use them after using some POR 15 or something! My Stag will need a rebuild sooner or later, so I will go for the lowered springs then.

Many thanks
Brian

[scarts]

I thought mine were lowered, as everyone told me my car sat lower than their's, so when I rebuilt my front struts I bought a full set (front & rear) of 1" lowered springs from Monarch. When I removed the front springs I realised they were actually around 1" taller than my new ones.... so yes they do break down over time.
I'm very happy with my new springs. They are very comfortable when taking it easy and you can feel them firm up as you press it.

[Gresley]

Just been out to measure - 14.5" from wheel centre to wheelarch on each corner, so they must be OK!

thanks again,
Brian

[Firept]

Brian.
End of last year I replaced the springs and bushes all round and the angle on the rear wheel was so obviously out you could see it from just standing behind the car so after some messing about went back to the old springs still did not look correct so I replace the new poly spring cushions with rubber versions and hey presto the angle on the rear wheels is now correct, it seems that the polly mounts do not compress enough and add about 3/4" to the spring height.
I must admit for the age and design of the car they are really quiet I have no rattles creaks or groans from any of car or trim

[Firept]

Opps..... pressed the post button before I'd finished.

Just to say watch out for the polly mounts.

Paul

[Gresley]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for that, I was thinking of using poly mounts. I'll have a good look at them first!

Brian

[Stagdad]

I can see the logic behind poly bushes on the trailing arms but not on the spring seats,surely the idea is to stop vibration from spring to body so why put a very hard poly insulator in instead of softer absorbant rubber.

Cheers Steve