86", front axle too far forward??

**cjc_td5** · 27th February 2017, 10:55 PM

On my 86", the front axle appears to sit too far forward in relation to the wheel arch panel? The springs appear to be correct and the shackle is sitting at an OK angle?? The spring is also centred on the spring leaf. The wheelbase is about 87" which corresponds to the error in the wheel arch. Also, when out doing a 4wd competition last year, I managed to separate the front prop shaft at the spline. The axle appeared to be able to move forward enough for the shaft spline to drop out. Was an easy fix by undoing one end and sliding the spline back in, but not something I want to repeat too often.

Interesting, my series III Stage 1 also has its front axle sitting forward in relation to the wheel arch panel.

I am sure I have noticed other rovers that the front axle is centred in the wheel arch panel. Any ideas what is going on here?

**JDNSW** · 28th February 2017, 05:08 AM

Only thing I can think of is if the springs have excessive camber, this would be the effect, as would the fitting of military shackles without the extended dumb irons.

John

**123rover50** · 28th February 2017, 06:50 AM

As John says. Spring camber.
I reset my springs a bit over much and the shackle plate is pointing slightly forward. My wheel in the mudguard gap looks just like yours. Your shackle plate is near verticle.
Look at chassis drawings and the plate is pointing well to the rear and springs are near flat.
I am not too worried about mine as its had no use yet so will sag a bit.
You could take a leaf out if you are concerned.

Keith

**Phil B** · 28th February 2017, 09:08 AM

Measure from the centre bolt hole to the front and back hanger holes, they may not be the same
The dimensions on the springs on my S3 were different when I redid mine

**cjc_td5** · 28th February 2017, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Phil B

Measure from the centre bolt hole to the front and back hanger holes, they may not be the same
The dimensions on the springs on my S3 were different when I redid mine

The centre bolt hole is centred on the spring leaf on both the 86" and S111, that is one of the first things I checked.

Thanks
C

**cjc_td5** · 28th February 2017, 10:28 AM

Righto, Chris the butcher time here...
What about the possibility of drilling a new centre bolt hole in the top 2 leaves to move the axle position rearwards? The rest of the leaves will slide in the pack to line up with the new hole location. Do you think this would badly weaken the upper leaves with 2 holes?

C

**Homestar** · 28th February 2017, 01:19 PM

Only one way to find out...

It's definately the sort of thing I would do...

**JDNSW** · 28th February 2017, 02:54 PM

1. Spring leaves are fairly hard, so drilling a hole may not be that easy.

2. Since the second leaf wraps round, you need to do it too

3. No way would I weaken a spring like that, although if the U-bolts are kept tight and the extra hole is still well within the pad on the axle, you'd probably get away with it.

**gromit** · 28th February 2017, 05:52 PM

Just had a quick look and I have 4 Land Rovers with the axle sitting forward in the front wing/fender/mudguard (delete to suit).

SIII bitza so who knows what came from where. Just fitted LWB front springs and I think those I removed were LWB.
SIIa Dormobile. Springs replaced with aftermarket by a previous owner.
SIIa GS. It's a 'cutwing' but seems to sit forward.
SIII FFR. Sits forward and seems all original.

Colin

**cjc_td5** · 28th February 2017, 06:00 PM

Mmmmm, thanks Gromit and all the others who have contributed.
I suppose at the end of the day I am not so much concerned about the wheel sitting forward in the wheelarch but mainly the incident I had last year when the front prop shaft pulled out of its spline when scrabbling up a rocky hill. I suppose there was enough axle twist in the springs to extend the prop shaft until the spline fell out. I suppose I should find out if a 88" (or later) front shaft is any longer as that may be an option???

C

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