Leaf spring question

[VK3UTE]

Hi All.

I am in the process of removing the rear springs from Mary my
2A 88 for clean up. I was thinking of removing 1 or 2 leafs as I don't plan to carry much weight and I would like the ride a little softer, has anyone else done this and if so was it successful? I have cleaned up the front springs and the difference is amazing! I

Cheers Simon

[chazza]

Yes. Do a search for "Parabolic Springs" on the S3 forum and see what Isuzurover did to his standard springs,

Cheers Charlie

[isuzurover]

Simon, If you have the OE 88" rears (11 leaves x 4ish mm ) then I wouldn't remove any. They are already ~160 lb/in which is quite soft. If you have LWB or aftermarket springs, then the OE 11 leafers are probably the best option.

[VK3UTE]

Thanks Isuzurover.

I will check to see what I have and follow your advise, if they are OE I will clean them up as was done for the front and hope the ride improves

Cheers Simon

[isuzurover]

Thanks Isuzurover.

I will check to see what I have and follow your advise, if they are OE I will clean them up as was done for the front and hope the ride improves

Cheers Simon

Just make sure they aren't aftermarket 11 x 5mm leaves. In which case they will be VERY stiff and you can remove plenty of leaves.

Many 88's were fitted with 109" springs, so the same applies.

[VK3UTE]

Pulled the rear springs apart today and they are all 5mm except the main leaf which is 6mm.
From that I assume they are the aftermarket ones so I cleaned and painted them and will assemble them with 3 or 4 leafs removed and see how they go. That might explain why the ride was so bad

[VK3UTE]

All back together, left out 4 leafs which kept the lengths equally spaced. What a difference when you hit a bump now the back wheels stay on the ground and you don't hit your head on the roof!

It does feel a little too soft but I will give her a run like this and see how she goes. Thanks for the advise

Front leafs before


And after



Cheers Simon

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Did you put some moly grease between the leaves, makes a great deal of difference.

[VK3UTE]

I used anti-seize paste which I hope will do the job ok.

[VK3UTE]

I got a little board in the shed today, I've always wondered how much articulation a standard 2a has









Not bad for an old girl. 430mm, nothing special done other than a clean, lube and a few leafs removed from the rear. She still has axle straps fitted too.

Then I got thinking how much better would a Defender be





Well





520mm not that much more really...

Would be interesting to see how much more a 2a military would have

Pretty cool I reckon

Cheers Simon