Question about the orientation of springs

[dullbird]

Hi Guys

I'm just look at the car with the springs on and the axles which begs me to ask this question.

I know the springs on my 109 are shorts for the front and longs for the back...and we were also sure that they were handed so when we took them off we labeled them.

However are the springs meant to go on a certain way?

For example take the drivers side rear spring. can the spring be put on either way or should it go one particular way?

The reason I ask is with all the springs on now it really looks to me like the axles and diffs look like they are tilting backwards???? only slightly but still.

Also putting the backing plates on the rear the hole for the brake cylinder doesn't appear to be right at the top which I thought it would of been (although not sure how much bearing that has as it bold to the axle ends so doesn't have much lee way anyway.

[dullbird]

mmm actually appears the backing plates maybe left to right...

and I'm wondering whether the axles look as though they are tilting back as weh have the chassis on axle stands and not level ones front to back at that

[JDNSW]

I am pretty certain that all leaf spring Landrover springs can be installed either way. As you know, left and right are not the same.

John

[dullbird]

Thanks JD we have big dramas trying to get the front drive shafts and joints in currently trying to work out why

[dullbird]

Grrrrrrrr still cant do it. we cant get the stub axle to meet up flush because we dont appear to be able to get the shafts into the diff enough the joints are still visable outside of the housing:(

[wrinklearthur]

mmm actually appears the backing plates maybe left to right...

and I'm wondering whether the axles look as though they are tilting back as weh have the chassis on axle stands and not level ones front to back at that
Hi Dullbird
I noted your question about the backing plates.
Had a look at my Defender and Series IIA parts books and both books show different part numbers for left and right, so its reasonable to assume that the Series III would be left and right also.
Is there part numbers stamped on the backing plates ?
i.e. for the Series II has 531888 = LH rear, 531889 = RH rear.
As for the tilt of the back diff housing, draw a line through the centre of the bolt for the front spring hanger and in line with the mounting block face under the axle tubes where the springs sit.
This line should be about the same as the axis of the pinon, the axis of the pinon points towards the centre of the flange at the back of the transfer box.
AFAIK the springs can be fitted ever end around , the stronger set springs are designed to fit the drivers side, where the battery, fuel tank and driver sit!

Hope this helps.

Cheers Arthur

[dullbird]

Thanks Arthur

I had already swaped them around and the holes for the cylinders appear to line up better over the top f the axle.

We also have a 2a not a 3 :)