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[Bent valve]

Because he's had them from new and knows the history completely, not just going on looking quite new

In other words its fine to fit 2nd hand springs as long as they are not shagged

[amba]

Didn,t intend opening up a can of worms guys.

Just been out and the back fo the car is not handling as it should and on roundabouts the back feels it wants to go past the front.When I di have a good look the springs both appeared to be intact but car has 175k so expect they are original along with the shocks which again seemed from a visual check to be sound.

Logic I had was at with this now car age is it really worth £150 for shocks and similar amount for springs,so thought about 2nd hand...except that a good clean can make a "turd shine" so really wanted to understand hope to check if a spring was past its life or not .In the end I know choice is mine but just wanted to understand if any checks could be done to measure the " springyness"was still ok.

[Bent valve]

Do rear springs have a life expectancy.

 I am convinced as a result of the atrociuos condition of the roads the rear end of my Elite is now not handling as it should.A close inspection of the springs shows nothing is broken or missing so I am now looking at the prospect of replacing shocks and springs.

Question is if I buy second hand how do you tell condition of springs as I can only really think if they are not broken do they start to loose there "spring".
Shockers show no leaks and raise and lower with movement of lever sensor so hope they are sound.

My advice is this-: dont buy 2nd hand springs off TheBoy, no matter how shiny they are

[Lazydocker]

Do rear springs have a life expectancy.

 I am convinced as a result of the atrociuos condition of the roads the rear end of my Elite is now not handling as it should.A close inspection of the springs shows nothing is broken or missing so I am now looking at the prospect of replacing shocks and springs.

Question is if I buy second hand how do you tell condition of springs as I can only really think if they are not broken do they start to loose there "spring".
Shockers show no leaks and raise and lower with movement of lever sensor so hope they are sound.

My advice is this-: dont buy 2nd hand springs off TheBoy, no matter how shiny they are

I wouldn't buy 2nd hand springs at all... Fitting your own 2nd hand springs is a different kettle of fish

[amba]

So looks like I need to ring dealers in morning and order a pair of s/l shocks.

Any advise on supplier for springs as don,t want to remortgage for VX springs

[feeutfo]

So looks like I need to ring dealers in morning and order a pair of s/l shocks.

Any advise on supplier for springs as don,t want to remortgage for VX springs

Kyb do sl springs for £90 plus.

But I find them too soft tbh. Fit something firmer IMO. I firmly believe any spring will work with sl shocks without issue. But it's an unproven theory.

[feeutfo]

Second hand springs is a false economy. ESP if they brake just after fitting, which omega springs do often. ESP the rears, end even more so sl springs. Unless you know the history and consider fitting them worth the risk.

[Lazydocker]

So looks like I need to ring dealers in morning and order a pair of s/l shocks.

Any advise on supplier for springs as don,t want to remortgage for VX springs

Kyb do sl springs for £90 plus.

But I find them too soft tbh. Fit something firmer IMO. I firmly believe any spring will work with sl shocks without issue. But it's an unproven theory.

No it's not I've had standard springs with my S/L shocks for nearly 2 years and did comment at the time that I thought it made the rear end very slightly firmer

[feeutfo]

So looks like I need to ring dealers in morning and order a pair of s/l shocks.

Any advise on supplier for springs as don,t want to remortgage for VX springs

Kyb do sl springs for £90 plus.

But I find them too soft tbh. Fit something firmer IMO. I firmly believe any spring will work with sl shocks without issue. But it's an unproven theory.

No it's not I've had standard springs with my S/L shocks for nearly 2 years and did comment at the time that I thought it made the rear end very slightly firmer

Yes your post a while back helped me decide to fit mv6 springs with sl shocks on my previous car. Worked well. So proven by two years anyway. To be safe, had to include an element of disclaimer in my post though. 

[Lazydocker]

So looks like I need to ring dealers in morning and order a pair of s/l shocks.

Any advise on supplier for springs as don,t want to remortgage for VX springs

Kyb do sl springs for £90 plus.

But I find them too soft tbh. Fit something firmer IMO. I firmly believe any spring will work with sl shocks without issue. But it's an unproven theory.

No it's not I've had standard springs with my S/L shocks for nearly 2 years and did comment at the time that I thought it made the rear end very slightly firmer

Yes your post a while back helped me decide to fit mv6 springs with sl shocks on my previous car. Worked well. So proven by two years anyway. To be safe, had to include an element of disclaimer in my post though. 

Ahh... Fair enough

[amba]

I have found a seller on fleabay with new S/L springs for £50 a side and as the stealers need £150 for the S/L shocks looks like best is about £250 to restore it back to original spec.

Unsure what the merit of mv6 springs would be though as I have got very used to the spongy feel of the S/L setup and do have a boot full of work stuff all the time.

Looks like I will have to bite the bullet...although I have asked supplier for make of springs before I decide to buy.....are kyb any better though as remember a thread with part number RJ6227 as the correct one.

[HockeyDave55]

My Ex-Police car had broken rear springs and I almost died when they told me how much they cost... I ended up spending a third on after-market spring set from G-MAX and not only were they cheaper but also a little lower and better handeling too! I am VERY happy with them.... 
I also got a refund from my insurance too!

[feeutfo]

I have found a seller on fleabay with new S/L springs for £50 a side and as the stealers need £150 for the S/L shocks looks like best is about £250 to restore it back to original spec.

Unsure what the merit of mv6 springs would be though as I have got very used to the spongy feel of the S/L setup and do have a boot full of work stuff all the time.

Looks like I will have to bite the bullet...although I have asked supplier for make of springs before I decide to buy.....are kyb any better though as remember a thread with part number RJ6227 as the correct one.

Sl part number is printed on the spring pictured in replacing rear spring guide. Sounds familiar.

[Varche]

Just a thought here but could the handling problems of the OP (amba?) be down to something else perhaps rear subfame donut or a failed bush?

It would be fairly easy to test both shockers by removing andf extending and compressing a few times. 

[amba]

Good point Varche.

I intend to find a dry day and then replace both donut bushes(have set of Lemforder)/both rear springs( with yet to be source option) and both rear S/L shocks which I have ordered from local stealer this morning.

Logic is car has 175k sp imagine both springs are either goosed or nearing it/both shocks are also originals and back end bounces abit too much when I push down on boot.Both donut bushes are very tatty and as I have had a new set for some time seems like a plan whilst I have it to bits.

Driving car it feels very unsure from the rear and almost like it wants to break away going round round abouts .When you hit a now familiar divit in road, back end seems to skip out and wander so seems I need to spend some cash on curing the problem.