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| suspension; downrating springs | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 23 2014, 10:10 AM (1,816 Views) | |
| snake-eyes | Mar 23 2014, 10:10 AM Post #1 |
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Hi I have a 2006 2.3s12 Daily long wheelbase van that has been converted into a motorhome, however the suspension is still designed to carry 3500kg which makes for a harsh ride. Is there any way to soften the ride by changing the leaf springs or converting to air suspension. any ideas. regards bob |
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| Bazil-S | Mar 23 2014, 04:18 PM Post #2 |
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Hi, The Daily models "S and L" have a rear parabolic single leaf (1) suspension and an elastic rubber bump stop. The bump stop is designed to support the suspension load. If the leaf spring has weakened, then the rear axle will sit on the bump stop, creating the feeling of rough ride. The suspension comfort is given by the elasticity of the leaf spring ends (plus shock absorbers), but if the rear axle is sitting on the bump stop, then the leaf spring has no role in mitigating shocks. You will need to replace the leaf springs, or to search a specialized workshop in springs suspension refurbishment. N.B. (1) There is the same type of suspension but with double leaf spring, these models are rare! |
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| mfoobar | Mar 24 2014, 12:50 PM Post #3 |
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Downrate?! You mean uprate right? Ie as a motorhome you will now be running the van near its 3.5t limit most of the time. I got a new set of springs from Midland Road springs with and extra leaf in to help raise the van a bit as was catching the back going over speed bumps. You can also get air suspension, but it is quite pricey. Or spring 'assisters' which are like shorter leafs that bold on the the existing ones. -Matt |
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| Andy™ | Mar 24 2014, 05:55 PM Post #4 |
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you can also get air assisted suspension, sits where the bump stop would be |
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| NB12 | Mar 25 2014, 10:26 PM Post #5 |
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I suspect the rough ride in my van is more due to the front suspension rather than the rear, it's rock hard. |
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| snake-eyes | Apr 11 2014, 10:59 AM Post #6 |
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No, I definitely mean down rate as the suspension is too hard. The conversion is a home one and i suspect the all up weight is about a quarter of its load carrying capacity. I agree that the front suspension is also rock hard, but an independant spring specialist says that these are the lowest rated spring available so i guess its back to the drawing board and see if i can replace the rear springs with air suspension and make some sort of axle locator to replace the springs, any ideas? |
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| ashbyspannerman | Apr 12 2014, 07:31 PM Post #7 |
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I very much doubt your conversion could be anywhere near a quarter of the vans carrying capacity! the van cannot (legally) carry 3.5 tonnes, that is it's all up legal gross weight. You need to choose lightweight materials for a self build just to keep the all up weight within 3.5 tonnes. I failed so have the twin leaf rear springs from midland road springs and try to avoid weighbridges!! |
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| Spooky_b329 | Apr 12 2014, 08:44 PM Post #8 |
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Snake, have to agree with the others...a medium wheelbase van only has around 1400kg payload and a long wheel base 1200kg. My conversion is pretty light and added 900kg (including water and humans) My van like many others was sitting very close to the bump stops, only about 10mm clearance to the axle. The bumpstops are hollow and designed to give, but they are still pretty hard. I bought some 'Timbren' hollow rubber springs, they are just a larger version of the existing bump stops and I swapped them over. The axle now sits on them all the time, the ride is still pretty firm but it is no longer jarring, and it made a huge difference to the handling, the van no longer wanders about on rough roads, and feels safer and more sure-footed on fast bends and roundabouts. |
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| snake-eyes | Apr 14 2014, 12:05 PM Post #9 |
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I agree the payload is only about 1200kgs but the springs are designed to carry the maximum vehicle weight of 3500kgs. The all up weight of my van is 2786kg with a full tank of diesel so it is still 600 kgs short of max. i am going to try the after market bump stops mentioned, will let you know what happens. |
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| snake-eyes | Apr 15 2014, 03:51 PM Post #10 |
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Hi Spooky Can you tell me where you got the bump stops from, only dealers i can find are in usa thanks |
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| Spooky_b329 | Apr 24 2014, 04:26 PM Post #11 |
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I got them from Ride Solutions. http://www.rubber-suspension.com/ david@ride-solutions.com They are £105 + vat delivered. Just had to remove the old bump stop from the mount, drill out the hole to 10mm (its about 9mm so only a shade too small) and fix the new bumpstop. Knock off the metal nub on the axle plate (mine both fell off with a tap) and reattach bumpstop bracket.   If you do look in to these further I would be grateful if you can say you found out about him on Ivecoforums! PS I also saw an air suspension kit for approx £250 somewhere on ebay, you inflate manually with an air line or you can pay more and have a compressor. That would give you a good compliant ride whereas you may find the ride is still too hard with the hollow rubber suspension, even if it does remove some of the jarring! Edited by Spooky_b329, Apr 24 2014, 04:29 PM.
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