REAR SPRINGS HELP

jaydev · Postby **jaydev** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:20 pm

Hi,

I’m in the process of having the complete Rear and front suspension renewed. I’m not sure what type of springs to fit. The ones I want are standard but come in two prices. One at £15 each, and the other at £94 each. I believe one is after market and the other one jag. Q. assuming that they are still available is there any merit in getting the jag ones? I would prefer the £60 option as opposed to the near £400 option as the total parts bill is coming close to £1000 mark. However, I’m not sure if by getting the aftermarket ones will the ride height and reliability be ok.

Your help is much a appreciated on this.

Many thanks

J

Mr.Ian · Postby **Mr.Ian** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:45 pm

Depends where you are getting the springs from , do they come with any form of faulty manufacture warranty??
If you are able to change them yourself i'd go for the cheaper ones as that is an enormous price jump.
As for ride height, the car will ride higher than it did anyway regardless of what 'standard new' springs are fitted as yours will have sagged a little.
There must be manufacturing specs for aftermarket parts (especially steering / brakes / suspension parts) , I doubt they could be vastly inferior. Might be that they won't last as long and I doubt they'll be finished as well at the spring ends or paint finish.

almcl · Postby **almcl** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:34 pm

Q. assuming that they are still available is there any merit in getting the jag ones? I would prefer the £60 option as opposed to the near £400 option J

I haven't done this changeover myself, but a lot of people who have report after market springs sagging back down in a month or so. This includes one noted restorer who said in his experience very few of the aftermarket springs were satisfactory.

Mr.Ian · Postby **Mr.Ian** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:57 pm

Q. assuming that they are still available is there any merit in getting the jag ones? I would prefer the £60 option as opposed to the near £400 option J

I haven't done this changeover myself, but a lot of people who have report after market springs sagging back down in a month or so. This includes one noted restorer who said in his experience very few of the aftermarket springs were satisfactory. <br /><span class=mtag>

Crikey!!!! are the aftermarket springs that bad????? might be worth looking at a named suspension manufacturer and checking their prices against the genuine items as their quality would be fine.

masterb · Postby **masterb** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:04 pm

How long are you planning on keeping the car?

And where can you get springs for 15 quid?
I certainly wouldn't mind trying them.

jaydev · Postby **jaydev** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:21 pm

Thanks Guys for all your help, much appreciated. All the prices are from SNG Barratt who when I spoke to over the phone yesterday said there is no stock of the Jag rear spring part.

http://www.sngbarratt.com/catalogue/parts/search.asp

I also checked jaguar’s classic web site as well and it’s not listed.
So it looks as if I’m going to have to get the aftermarket ones. I believe there’s nothing really wrong with the springs I have, but my mechanic said that if he is going to dismantle everything then it would be silly not to change the springs. As it’s the Aftermarket ones I will save considerably.

Quick question, with the front setup there are a number of bushes and link rubbers that can be changed as part of the front suspension overhaul. Apart from the rear radius arm bushes are there any items in the rear suspension that might need attention or could do with a change?

I am planning to keep the car as the body and interior is mint, Im just going to get these bits done and the car will be nice and tight.

Cheers

J

steveww · Postby **steveww** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 5:51 pm

As part of the front suspension rebuild I am doing at the moment I am replacing all the bushes and joints. SNG do a kit of all the bits for circa £200.

An other thing to consider is replacing the dampers as well while it is all in bits.

Mr.Ian · Postby **Mr.Ian** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 7:04 pm

From memory on the rear I changed all bearings / seals / grease nipples / nyloc nuts (silly not to change these) / shocks and obviously new lock wire on bolts, but didn't bother with the springs as they're not that difficult to change later.

iain1980 · Postby **iain1980** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:28 pm

Just an idea but if you are changing the dampers aswell, you could go for height adjustable so that when the springs sag, which they will, the ride height can be reset.

As for other things to do on the rear suspension, I would check and replace the universal joints and wheel bearings, as they are also the upper wishbone
and have hard life.

I agree with Mr.Ian above, but would go one step further and say Nyloc nuts must be changed every time, the thought of one coming undone doesn't even bear thinking about!

Mr.Ian · Postby **Mr.Ian** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:06 pm

Just an idea but if you are changing the dampers aswell, you could go for height adjustable so that when the springs sag, which they will, the ride height can be reset.

Adjustable spring platform on the shock ???????
Got these on my show Capri, very handy but would be a pain with there being 4 on the rear of an XJS

jaydev · Postby **jaydev** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:40 pm

Afternoon,

All work to front suspension, Bushes, Ball joints, Shocks, Springs, All rear shocks and springs done as well. Also the mid gearbox/engine mount was worn which caused the prop to touch the covers when going over a slight dip at speed! All done. Expensive, especially before Christmas, but certainly worth it. The Car is brilliant now nice and tight!

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions.

regards

J