Source of suspension dowels/centre bolts

[WayneHall]

Hi all

I'm cleaning up the suspension springs on my 1958 109" petrol project and need to replace the dowels/centre bolts which were badly corroded.

My front springs (10 leaf) have "BRAMBER 265627" and "BRAMBER 264563" on the third leaves of the right and left front springs respectively - based on the parts book this would suggest they are from a 88" diesel model.

My rear springs are 8 leaf (no part number visible) and would appear to be the correct springs for the 109.

So I'm looking for the relevant dowels/centre bolts - part numbers 243129 (front 88" diesel) and 279762 (rear 109"). However, I have not been able to locate them in Australia from the usual LR parts suppliers. I'd appreciate any suggested local suppliers if possible before I look to the UK.

Thanks in advance.

Wayne

[Slunnie]

Have you tried a suspension shop or manufacturer? Surely those parts are relatively common.

[whitehillbilly64]

I just used an M8 High tensile Allan bolt, and nut from my local bolt place, when replacing them, on my 80 inch and S3.
The Allen head fitted inside the axle mount with no issues on both.
I used a Flapper disk to tidy up wear ridges on the springs and a chamfer on the rubbing edges.

whitehillbilly

[JDNSW]

Both the above suggestions are viable. In my case I turned down a hex head bolt (handy having access to a lathe!).

Note that the centrebolt should not be a highly stressed component, as the U-bolts are what keeps the axle in place. The centrebolt simply keeps the leaves together until the spring is installed, and positively locates the axle in the right place. failure of a centrebolt is a symptom of loose U-bolts. Which are not uncommon, and they should be regularly checked for any signs of movement.

[B.S.F.]

Some people will tell you that anything can happen, including getting struck by a bolt of lightning out of the clear blue sky, unless you use correct Land Rover parts.
I'm with whitehillbilly64. I have been using Allen head bolts (left in pic.) for many thousand kms of Outback travel.
.W.

[JDNSW]

Yes. Some parts are better to use genuine parts, but lets face it - a lot of parts are almost impossible to find as genuine parts, centrebolts are one about which there should be no concerns whatever. The only possible issue is that they should be a reasonably close fit into the socket on the axle.

Last time I broke a spring in the 2a, I was really surprised to find when I removed the spring, that the head was no longer attached to the bolt. But there had been no movement.

[WayneHall]

Thanks everyone for the suggested solutions - I think the Allan bolt option sounds the best/easiest for me.

I've also sorted out the steps in the springs and chamfered the spring ends as suggested by whitehillbilly64.

Cheers
Wayne

[whitehillbilly64]

I used a philips screwdriver to align the holes and a G clamp to pull the springs together.
Popped out the screwdriver then put the bolt in and tightened.

whitehillbilly

[Gippslander]

The centre bolts are usually available from https
://www.britishautoparts.com.au/long_wheel_base
If you want some from a dealer but as WHB and JDNSW have said they are not operational critical so go with what you have.