mk 1 rear spring upgrade.

[walt1984]

hi, our 1977 swb ci camper needs its rear leaf springs sorting. was thinking about getting them retempered but have come accross some new old stock(100s swb years 91 to 2000) does any one know if they would be a striaght swap ? i've been reading some old posted and now im not sure.

[Neil]

get yours re cond

[walt1984]

just wieghing up costs, springs i've seen are new and cheap. if i have a new set i could change them over when i hire ramp at local garage.
are they as good as new when re-conditioned ?

[Neil]

who sells new mk1 rears

[baconsdozen]

Having them retempered is probably the only solution,its just a nuisance having to send them and wait while they are repaired and sent back.
You can have new ones made but it doesn't come cheapo.

[mb4ever]

Can anyone tell me how long it takes to drive the 3 "bolts" out of the old bushes per side please?

Can anyone tell me the cost of replacing the 5 bushes, and possibly the "bolts" per side please?

Thanks, Mike

[walt1984]

dont know yet ive never removed springs before. we keep spraying nuts and bolts with WD-40 hoping when it comes to it they'll come off easy.
might have had some progress today.
rear springs might be similar to mk3 and found some at a motor factors just need to go and measure them.

[mb4ever]

Thanks Walt, anyone know please?

Incidentally, are you looking for standard springs, or extra heavy duty springs?
I think standard springs will sag a long way as soon as you let your motorhome down on them.
Standard springs simply aren't designed for use under a motorhome.

Mike

[baconsdozen]

WD40 is a waste of time as a releasing fluid.Use PlusGas or even diesel and if they are still rusted solid a bit of heat. WD40 is OK for driving away water (Water Displacement)

[mb4ever]

WD40 is a waste of time as a releasing fluid.

Seconded.

Mike

[walt1984]

ok thanks for info still learning.
looking for uprated springs was thinking same the standard springs would be too weak as its had helper put on and its still sat on its arse

[mb4ever]

How's the idea of making your own heavy duty springs appeal Walt?

Mike

[walt1984]

that dosent sound a bad idea then they would be up to job hauling camper body and what ever else it gets loaded up with.

[mb4ever]

The "Whatever else it gets loaded with" sounds a bit ominous Walt.

You have a gross axle weight limiting how much weight you put in it you know.
Your back axle maxes out at 1550Kg.
How much more weight do you want it to carry?

Remember, anything right at the back, puts about 1.5 times it's own weight on the back axle.
A 50kg bag of spuds at the back puts 75 kg on the back axle, and takes 25kg off the front axle.
Madening isn't it.

But what it means is, if you make the back spring strong enough to carry "Whatever else you put in it", you end up with a nightmare.
Sorry if that's bad news, but you can only do so much.
Yes, you can make the rear spring as strong as you wish, to carry whatever you wish, but you'd end up with a driver's nightmare.

Mike

[mb4ever]

Anyhow, ratn over.

Exactly how many leaves have you got on the rear springs on your Motorhome please Walt?
Should be 7 leaves each side if CI did the job properly.

Mike