Rear suspension

[Bayside]

Am I right in thinking that the squidgy (technical term) rubber doughnut thing pictured to the right of the spring is a rudimentary damper or bump stop? Or am I completely wrong :I


Also does anyone know if the rear springs are comparible in length and spring rate to any current manufacturers springs?

 

[commeracer]

It's a spring assister

"You,re only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
Founder of the 6 speed club

 

[Bayside]

Doesn't look like it'll be assisting much these days!

 

[colinthefox]

It's an AEON 530 load assister, still available from "Ride Solutions Cambridge" 01223 701012.

They do three varieties, namely light, medium and heavy. (can't find the email with the ratings, but I'm guessing these are the light type) and they are about £30 each.

You can change just the rubber bit, they are held on the alloy plate with one nut.

Commer PB Jennings

 

[Bayside]

Ok thanks, a simple problem to avoiding spring overload.

Are they a necessity or for just in case, do they double up as the bump stop as effectively the suspension compresses these so there is no other bump stop in place?

I'm looking at upgrading the rear axle with modern spring replacements and modern shocks depending on spring rate and travel would these become redundant or would you advise keeping them as a fail safe.

Alternatively could the helper rubbers be replaced with light weight assistor springs with just enough poundage to help when needed as you would find on some 4x4's - simply change out the rubbers mounts and fit spring seats.

 

[Panky]

A couple of extra leaves and re-filling the Armstrong dampers with heavier oil (SAE 50) makes a big difference.

 

[colinthefox]

A slight correction to the last message. I've just checked so I can order some new ones, and mine are "65" rating with a 12mm bushing. That's the heaviest duty type.

Commer PB Jennings

 

[greg]

These hollow rubber springs only act as a bump stop when the cone is fully compressed and look an interesting solution:-

https://www.vibration-mounts.co.uk/ViewItem.php?ItemID=PT.-7005-110-x-135-HOLLOW-RUBBER-SPRING--267

The simpler the betterer...

 

[Bayside]

quote:
Originally posted by Panky

A couple of extra leaves and re-filling the Armstrong dampers with heavier oil (SAE 50) makes a big difference.

Armstrong dampers are new to me so need to have a look to get my head around their construction and use.

How do you go about adding leaves? Is it simply a case of adding sections matching those already there - what grade of steel do they need to be to take the vibration and flex? Can you effectively make your own spring sets?

Has anyone used single leaf springs as fitted to a modern transit etc?

 

[Bayside]

quote:
Originally posted by greg

These hollow rubber springs only act as a bump stop when the cone is fully compressed and look an interesting solution:-

https://www.vibration-mounts.co.uk/ViewItem.php?ItemID=PT.-7005-110-x-135-HOLLOW-RUBBER-SPRING--267

The simpler the betterer...



Thanks for the link, are these designed to be in contact top and bottom at all times or just on compression?

 

[Panky]

Not sure of the grade but I got my springs done at Mancunian Springs, re-tempered and extra leaves for £200. There should be a place a bit more local to you who do similar. While I was there I asked about the possibility of making a single parabolic to fit, he didn't think it would be feasible:I
The Armstrongs are simple enough, the lever operates on two pistons, side by side, which force the oil through a restrictor valve at the bottom of the unit. They were originally filled with SAE 20 equivalent so thicker stuff increases the dampening action. You will find that the old oil has turned water thin and stinks of fish[xx(]

 

[greg]

I have single leaf springs on the old Beddie but I already checked and are too long for the Commer.

The simpler the betterer...

 

[Bayside]

Just thinking for the future:

Anyone used four links, panhard rod / watts linkage, coil springs and an ARB?

Ive already got a panhard rod left from my Hilux surf which I intended to modify into an adjustable unit so can be cut to length. Shame I binned the longer trailing links from it as they might have worked with some mods. Poly bushes for Hilux panhards are cheap as chips as are the trailing link ones. I can get the trailing links pretty easy but would probably be better just to fabricate some to the correct lengths.

On another matter I saw someone had used Hilux IFS shocks as an upgrade I know these can be obtained cheaply from either

www.milneroffroad.com
or
www.roughtrax4x4.com

 

[Panky]

Tim did this set up on Kermit

http://forum.commervanfan.co.uk/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6244&whichpage=30&SearchTerms=kermit

Scroll through the next few pages for more.
The Hi-Lux dampers work well on the front apparently, here's one happy customer.

http://forum.commervanfan.co.uk/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8244&SearchTerms=Hi-Lux