Thread: What rate springs do I have?

Originally Posted by Corgie Carrier

Hi guys

Just bought a 96 Disco and the springs are a bit hard.

How can I tell what rate they are? or do I have to take them to a suspension specialist?

Thanks

Neale

It could have any springs in it. It could also be the shocks.

I came across this link while looking at some older posts.
land rover spring specifications

The color codes are strips of paint about 30mm wide on one of the coils.

Originally Posted by Corgie Carrier

Hi guys

Just bought a 96 Disco and the springs are a bit hard.

How can I tell what rate they are? or do I have to take them to a suspension specialist?

Thanks

Neale

If they are LR springs then they should have some paint marks on them that identify them. Have a look here.

land rover spring specifications

If they are aftermarket then measure the wire diameter and the number of turns and see if you can match them to any of the aftermarket ones in the above list. Hopefully you can get some idea.
Unfortunately the list doesn't have many springs listed with both the wire diameter and number of coils, and this is what makes up the rate.

Someone with better maths and spring knowledge than me may be along shortly to tell you how to work it out

Tony

There is a formula for working it out. Measure the diameter of the coil to the centre of the wire. This should be the diameter of the hole down the middle plus one wire diameter.

Diameter of coil = D
Then Diameter of wire = d
Then measure the number of active coils this can be a bit tricky as the ones at either end are inactive. Active coils is usually about total number minus 2.5 coils. Rovers tend to run about 7 to 10 active coils. You will ofter get a decimal something if your accurate with this.

Active coils = N

Then the constant for spring steel is 20000

Finally the formula should look something like this.

(d/(DxN))x20000

cant remember what units this gives you but this will give you a good percentage comparison between different coil sets


***this is all from my clouded memory***

Actually, ill look at my formulas later and try to get back to you with a proper accurate formula with units.....

Think all units with this formula entered in inches will equal

Pound per inch compression at the end.

It is quite accurate when used correctly. You should have something between 150lb per inch to 300lb per inch from soft to hard.

Fronts a little softer and shorter than rears is a good setup.

So 160lb fronts 180lb rears should be a nice soft on road setup....in my experience