Thread: leaf springs on series vehicles

I don't have actual experience of parabolics, but from the experience of others I would certainly seriously consider them - but I agree, they are ridiculously expensive, but so are ordinary leaf springs, particularly compared to coils.

But the people who see a major upgrade when going to parabolics are usually comparing them to the poor condition conventional springs they are replacing!

The reason parabolics ride better than conventional leaf springs is partly that they are designed to be a little softer and set more, but mainly because they have almost no internal friction, making them nearly equivalent to coil springs. Your existing springs, provided they are not altogether too worn or rusty, and provided they are not sagged too much, can probably be greatly improved.

To do this, remove each spring, clamp it in a vice, remove the centre bolt, and disassemble it. Thoroughly wire brush the rust off, grind off any bad lumps of metal, particularly steps corresponding to the end of the next leaf (although if there's much of that the spring is probably beyond repair). Paint the leaves, and after the paint is hard, reassemble the spring, painting the mating surfaces as you go with graphite grease, MoS2 grease, or anti-seize compound, using a new U-bolt. An oxy torch makes bending the clips easier, although some springs have ones with bolts.

Take care not to mix the springs - all Series Landrovers have the springs handed left to right, with more set on the right springs (for right hand drive).

John

i happen to see an add from two places for the full set ,4 springs all the u bolts & shocks for $1000 so i will be putting them on my series 3 lwb 73.one of the companies where in Queensland the other in Melbourne & i did see some on ebay full set again for $998..i think if you are prepaird to look around they come up for $1000 or just under..i will see if i can find the two companies i seen & pass them on..my last landy a 69 lwb i put brandnew springs on it & they cost me something like $200 each & that was without shocks but that was threw all 4x4 at kotara never again..so for the extra $200 i am going parabolics..with shocks

G'day JDNSW

I rebuilt my springs when I restored the 2a in 91, and did the same thing as you have said, but I also chamfered the upper faces of the spring ends at 45 deg for 1/16 inch and radiused the corners, (way back then TJM was selling springs for 4x4's that were "Diamond Cut" same thing) they are still working well, but are starting to need new bushes, Steel-Rubber-Steel so I can't complain at 15 years of use at $4.00 a bush

I have driven and ridden in vehicles with Parabolics and the ride is a lot softer, but the body roll is increased.

cheers

Originally Posted by UncleHo

I have driven and ridden in vehicles with Parabolics and the ride is a lot softer, but the body roll is increased.

i would disagree with the body roll..

i have never noticed increased body roll... my truck certainly doesnt and i would be looking at the shockies on one that did.

i have noticed the smoother ride.. but i wouldnt call it softer.. it doesnt sag with a load in it.

the springs absorb the load a different way, thats why they are smoother and give more articulation without being softer...

The cheap easy fix is mentioned above.

Just take alternating leaves out till you are happy.
The wagon springs seem to be the best (the really thin leaves with abut 12 or so per pack)

I have taken 1 more out to the passenger side to compensate for lack of passenger and the motor torque which always torques up the front left wheel.

Dave.

The way I see it not many can build up parabolics or leaf springs cheaply anymore therefore they can justify the retail price. If anyone on the forum can build them up and sell them for less,or buy them for less. I'd love to know how.

Originally Posted by banjo

.......... around they come up for $1000 or just under...........

From last time I put new rear springs in the 110, about double or more the cost of coils.

John

$1000 for parabolics incl. shocks sounds too good to be true - would love to hear who is selling them at that price.
Otherwise I think I might be getting the tools out and a wire brush!