Topic: Elite rear springs (Read 6026 times)

Shackeng · « **on:** 10 May 2016, 10:22:30 »

Elite (self levelling suspension) just failed MOT on broken rear spring. Has anyone a recommendation for a good make and supplier please? I fitted Boge to the TD Estate, but didn't like the tails on them.

Shackeng · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 May 2016, 10:56:43 »

Are KYB still recommended?

geoffr70 · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 May 2016, 12:46:09 »

I snapped two sets of KYB springs in two years and 6000 miles on the back of my Elite.

Shackeng · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 May 2016, 13:17:50 »

Quote from: geoffr70 on 10 May 2016, 12:46:09

I snapped two sets of KYB springs in two years and 6000 miles on the back of my Elite.

Ouch, so no KYB then. $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$

Shackeng · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 May 2016, 13:35:19 »

Can anyone confirm if the rear springs are the same for self levelling and standard shocks?

Diamond Black Geezer · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 May 2016, 14:03:22 »

Pretty sure they're different. However, though I've heard of issues with running on SL springs - but with standard shocks (ie: a floppy bouncy-castle-ride) I'm not sure, but if you ran on standard rear springs, but with SL shocks that may be fine.

tunnie · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 May 2016, 14:14:05 »

Quote from: geoffr70 on 10 May 2016, 12:46:09

I snapped two sets of KYB springs in two years and 6000 miles on the back of my Elite.

Worse than me, I had a set snap in less than 2 years.

tidla · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 May 2016, 14:18:21 »

lesjofors standard rear springs (gsf sourced) with newish self level shocks fitted.

At the moment they are sending out an email code for 43% off every week end.

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/parts/steering-suspension/springs-components/coil-spring

pauls · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 May 2016, 14:19:15 »

Self level springs are softer. You can use normal springs with s/l but not the other way round

johnnydog · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 May 2016, 14:28:53 »

I broke one spring on my then 2001 3.2 Elite, replaced both with genuine and then broke another a short while later. Found the s/l pump wasnt functioning correctly, which I replaced along with two genuine springs and never had a problem after that. Can only assume the springs were doing all the work with the shocker not upto the correct pressure. I use it for towing so they are worked harder than normal use. Sometimes after market springs artificially raise the ride height as many manufacturers state 'one spring fits all', thats why I used genuine albeit they are a lot dearer.

05omegav6 · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 May 2016, 14:33:01 »

Quote from: pauls on 10 May 2016, 14:19:15

Self level springs are softer. You can use normal springs with s/l but not the other way round

Agreed

Saloon isn't it?

Shackeng · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 May 2016, 14:33:45 »

Quote from: Harris K Telemacher on 10 May 2016, 14:33:01

Quote from: pauls on 10 May 2016, 14:19:15
Self level springs are softer. You can use normal springs with s/l but not the other way round
Agreed
Saloon isn't it?

Yep.

Lazydocker · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 May 2016, 14:34:39 »

Quote from: Harris K Telemacher on 10 May 2016, 14:33:01

Quote from: pauls on 10 May 2016, 14:19:15
Self level springs are softer. You can use normal springs with s/l but not the other way round
Agreed
Saloon isn't it?

3rded... It's what I have run on both mine

Shackeng · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 May 2016, 14:35:43 »

Quote from: tidla on 10 May 2016, 14:18:21

lesjofors standard rear springs (gsf sourced) with newish self level shocks fitted.

At the moment they are sending out an email code for 43% off every week end.

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/parts/steering-suspension/springs-components/coil-spring

Hmm, I think I'll go for standard springs as the are a bit stronger, less likely to fail then.
Thanks Tidla, I'll check that, do you have the code? and are they a good make?

05omegav6 · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 May 2016, 14:37:08 »

ECP have Sachs springs for around £35 fwiw

Shackeng · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 May 2016, 14:47:14 »

Quote from: Harris K Telemacher on 10 May 2016, 14:37:08

ECP have Sachs springs for around £35 fwiw

Any good reports on Sachs?

Shackeng · « **Reply #16 on:** 10 May 2016, 14:53:01 »

So, the choice at present is Lesjofors or Sachs, any thoughts?

zirk · « **Reply #17 on:** 10 May 2016, 15:03:29 »

RobG is breaking an Elite Estate

Lazydocker · « **Reply #18 on:** 10 May 2016, 15:07:05 »

One suggestion I would make is to go heavy duty if you can...

Shackeng · « **Reply #19 on:** 10 May 2016, 15:17:56 »

Quote from: zirk on 10 May 2016, 15:03:29

RobG is breaking an Elite Estate

Thanks, but I baulk at SH springs.

Shackeng · « **Reply #20 on:** 10 May 2016, 15:24:40 »

Sachs at ECP £32.49+VAT, so they'll do.

amba · « **Reply #21 on:** 10 May 2016, 15:54:48 »

Have had sachs rear springs fitted to my Elite with Bilstein shocks for past 3/4 months now and generally happy with them.

Must say Bilstein B4,s are quite a firm shock,but given the fact I am usually hauling a full boot of work stuff around seems up for the job .

Bought Sachs springs from ECP and from memory they were around £35 each

tigers_gonads · « **Reply #22 on:** 10 May 2016, 16:29:47 »

Quote from: Shackeng on 10 May 2016, 14:53:01

So, the choice at present is Lesjofors or Sachs, any thoughts?

I've got these on the back end of my Mv6 c/w B4's
With the weight of the lpg tank over the back axel (spare wheel well) the car sits and rides pretty much spot on.

05omegav6 · « **Reply #23 on:** 10 May 2016, 16:42:44 »

Quote from: Shackeng on 10 May 2016, 15:17:56

Quote from: zirk on 10 May 2016, 15:03:29
RobG is breaking an Elite Estate

Thanks, but I baulk at SH springs.

Not to mention that yours is a saloon

Shackeng · « **Reply #24 on:** 10 May 2016, 18:26:22 »

Job for the weekend now. I wonder how long that bottom tip of spring has been missing. It doesn't seem to show in handling or ride height. I suppose the levelling masks it. $:-\$

Tony H · « **Reply #25 on:** 10 May 2016, 21:33:40 »

Quote from: geoffr70 on 10 May 2016, 12:46:09

I snapped two sets of KYB springs in two years and 6000 miles on the back of my Elite.

Same here got less than three years with low miles out of KYB springs before both "pig tails" snapped off

Diamond Black Geezer · « **Reply #26 on:** 11 May 2016, 10:23:35 »

Well, personal experience of Aftermarket vs. GM vs. 2nd Hand, My old girl was on what appeared to be the original springs (so a 1996 vintage Russelsheim), which had actually sagged (but not snapped) meaning when I fitted 2nd hand MV6 springs all round, the ride height went up at the rear(!) 12 months & 7k later (and being 2nd hand in the first place probably on nearly 100k) and still going strong.

Sorry to see how short a lifespan such as KYB are having.

TheBoy · « **Reply #27 on:** 11 May 2016, 13:03:58 »

I wouldn't use KYB again, lifespan is too short. It appears the coating flakes off really fast, causing rust issues, then they snap.

Shackeng · « **Reply #28 on:** 11 May 2016, 20:56:30 »

Hmm, perhaps a coat of Hammerite before I fit them will help.

05omegav6 · « **Reply #29 on:** 11 May 2016, 21:38:35 »

Quote from: Shackeng on 11 May 2016, 20:56:30

Hmm, perhaps a coat of Hammerite before I fit them will help.

Better off using polycarbonate paint, such as found on remote control cars... As it is naturally flexible

Shackeng · « **Reply #30 on:** 12 May 2016, 16:20:57 »

No prizes for guessing the make of the springs removed. Interesting though is that the new Sachs springs are 28mm sorter than the KYB ones removed. The box says they are for the Omega 94 to 04. I assume they are OK. $:-\$

jb · « **Reply #31 on:** 12 May 2016, 16:44:14 »

They are fine although a little softer than the std non sl gm springs. Assume you got them from euro car parts.

Shackeng · « **Reply #32 on:** 12 May 2016, 19:05:33 »

Correct, Road test was OK, and anyway soft is good for an old fart like me.

05omegav6 · « **Reply #33 on:** 12 May 2016, 20:38:07 »

Unless they're estate ones $:-\$

Shackeng · « **Reply #34 on:** 12 May 2016, 22:15:10 »

Quote from: Harris K Telemacher on 12 May 2016, 20:38:07

Unless they're estate ones $:-\$

Don't think so, as they were reg related.

05omegav6 · « **Reply #35 on:** 12 May 2016, 22:36:56 »

Quote from: Shackeng on 12 May 2016, 22:15:10

Quote from: Harris K Telemacher on 12 May 2016, 20:38:07
Unless they're estate ones $:-\$

Don't think so, as they were reg related.

What length the old ones? Have a set of Estate ones at home, so can cross check

Shackeng · « **Reply #36 on:** 13 May 2016, 16:24:09 »

KYB 278mm.

05omegav6 · « **Reply #37 on:** 13 May 2016, 16:40:36 »

Quote from: Shackeng on 13 May 2016, 16:24:09

KYB 278mm.

Will measure into morning

05omegav6 · « **Reply #38 on:** 18 May 2016, 07:33:54 »

Quote from: Harris K Telemacher on 13 May 2016, 16:40:36

Quote from: Shackeng on 13 May 2016, 16:24:09
KYB 278mm.
Will measure into morning

285mm 155K Elite Estate

Shackeng · « **Reply #39 on:** 18 May 2016, 09:56:01 »

Strange that there should be varying lengths. $:-\$

05omegav6 · « **Reply #40 on:** 18 May 2016, 11:15:17 »

Quote from: Shackeng on 18 May 2016, 09:56:01

Strange that there should be varying lengths. $:-\$

Wear and tear together with different manufacturers I guess $:-\$ spring thickness and number of coils probably also play a part... Might also explain more frequent breakages of certain springs...

Shackeng · « **Reply #41 on:** 21 May 2016, 15:06:42 »

Quote from: Harris K Telemacher on 18 May 2016, 11:15:17

Quote from: Shackeng on 18 May 2016, 09:56:01
Strange that there should be varying lengths. $:-\$
Wear and tear together with different manufacturers I guess $:-\$ spring thickness and number of coils probably also play a part... Might also explain more frequent breakages of certain springs...

Certainly the KYB had reducing thickness at the ends, and were required to be fitted one way up. Sachs were same thickness throughout, and appeared symmetrical top and bottom, with no "this end up" instruction.

05omegav6 · « **Reply #42 on:** 21 May 2016, 15:31:02 »

Genuine are same as Sachs in design...

Shackeng · « **Reply #43 on:** 21 May 2016, 15:34:41 »

Nice to know. But what about length? $:-\$

05omegav6 · « **Reply #44 on:** 21 May 2016, 15:35:33 »

Quote from: Shackeng on 21 May 2016, 15:34:41

Nice to know. But what about length? $:-\$

Reply #38

Shackeng · « **Reply #45 on:** 21 May 2016, 15:41:48 »

Yours at 285mm were from an Estate?

05omegav6 · « **Reply #46 on:** 21 May 2016, 16:11:28 »

Quote from: Shackeng on 21 May 2016, 15:41:48

Yours at 285mm were from an Estate?

Just remeasured to be sure...

290mm and deffo from estate, almost certainly original as a matched pair... they look like they had done the mileage the rest of it had

Shackeng · « **Reply #47 on:** 21 May 2016, 16:28:44 »

So I still don't know if the Sachs at 250mm are OE saloon length or not. $:-\$

05omegav6 · « **Reply #48 on:** 21 May 2016, 16:58:03 »

Quote from: Shackeng on 21 May 2016, 16:28:44

So I still don't know if the Sachs at 250mm are OE saloon length or not. $:-\$

Haynes is no help as it gives only front spring lengths $:-\$

From memory though, estates have longer springs and shorter shocks, where as saloons are the reverse, longer shocks and shorter springs...

I would take comfort that your springs are 40mm shorter than the estate ones, as they are clearly saloon ones.

The only question is whether they are standard or lsc springs, but if the car sits level, and feels secure on the road, then I'd not fret it too much

pauls · « **Reply #49 on:** 21 May 2016, 17:30:10 »

Dont know if this helps or not..I have a set of sl shocks in my shed that came off my saloon and the rears both are 360mm.

05omegav6 · « **Reply #50 on:** 21 May 2016, 17:37:13 »

Quote from: pauls on 21 May 2016, 17:30:10

Dont know if this helps or not..I have a set of sl shocks in my shed that came off my saloon and the rears both are 360mm.

You sure? Fronts are barely that long

pauls · « **Reply #51 on:** 21 May 2016, 17:50:48 »

Got it wrong again

Backs are 240mm

05omegav6 · « **Reply #52 on:** 21 May 2016, 17:51:41 »

Quote from: pauls on 21 May 2016, 17:50:48

Got it wrong again

Backs are 240mm

That's more like it...

Shackeng · « **Reply #53 on:** 21 May 2016, 19:06:01 »

So 250mm is about right. Certainly the car looks level.

05omegav6 · « **Reply #54 on:** 21 May 2016, 20:52:10 »

Quote from: Shackeng on 21 May 2016, 19:06:01

So 250mm is about right. Certainly the car looks level.

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