Rear Springs for 2200TC fitted with V8 Dampers

JVY

JVY

Active Member
One job that I definitely wanted to do before I get JVY back on the road for spring/summer was to replace the rear coils springs. The car sits lower at the back than it used to. When I had the rear suspension removed last year, I did measure the length of the springs and they were in spec. So I just refitted them. However, I guess they are worn as the car sits lower at back than front and the top of the wheel trims are slowly disappearing into the rear arches :( .

Going back to last year, I did discover that I have V8 dampers fitted (flat lower mounting plate and doughnut rubber cushions rather than 2200 dome plate).

I just ordered a set of rear springs from JRW. So, the question which then occurred to me, is, did 2200TC and V8's use the same rear springs? JRW had only one option listed described as, "Spring Rear coil spring, progressive". Please tell me I have ordered the correct springs?
 
Hm.. Well, as standard, 2200TC's have suffix A V8 rear springs. Progresive springs are non original varaible rate type. Definitely not my cup of tea, but all right provided you don't hammer the car in corners.

Chris
 
I've just fitted, yesterday, a set of 3500 heavy duty springs from Mark Grey, raised my soggy backside noticably. They appeared the same length as the ones originally on, but with one more coil, but when I stood on one of each the old ones dropped a couple of inches ish (but I am 17 stone). When the rugby stops I might road test it, depends on the end result....
 
Thanks Chris. I'm hoping that, as a reasonably sedate driver, I'll be OK :D . I was wondering if progressive springs would maybe tend to lessen the rear suspension hitting the bump stops? What I'm thinking is that normal rate springs will give more travel for a given cornering force until the bump stops prevent further travel giving a sharp cut-off in terms of further travel (not sure what P6 rear suspension does after this but do think I recall you telling us in the past that the bumps stops are more an integral part of the suspension than on your average car). With progressive springs, would you maybe effectively get some warning before this happens?

I'll see what happens once they are fitted I suppose.
 
Hi Steve,

With progressive springs, as the spring is compressed the force required increases. With standard springs which behave in a linear fashion, the spring will just compress and if they are too soft for the force exerted then the lower links will contact the bump stops. With progress springs which behave in a non linear fashion, (graphing force against spring displacment is a curve as opposed to a straight line) the spring becomes stiffer as it is compressed, so effectively preventing bump stop contact.

For normal everyday driving you would be very hard pressed to notice the difference. Only if you drive very hard into corners or load JVY right up will the progressive nature of the springs become apparent.

Ron.
 
Exactly so, Ron. The consequence of the varying spring rate is that the understeer to oversteer balance changes as you get further laid into the corner - starting with neutral or mild understeer and progressing further into oversteer as the body roll progresses - that's what I'm not keen on.

On the P6, the bump stops are also much larger and softer than on most cars and are intended to act as a soft transition at full bump.

Ford used progressive springs extensively at one time. In their case it was so that they could get away with short travel suspension and give the resulting space saving over to boot space. As we all know, this is not a P6 problem - it has some of the longest travel suspension in the business - hence the wonderful ride.

The real win with progressive rate springs is when towing a caravan, when their characteristic is just what the doctor ordered when faced with a fore to aft pitching van!

Chris
 
Thanks John, Ron & Chris. I got the springs today. They certainly appear to be progressive as the spacing between two topmost and two lowest coils is slightly less than the even spacing between all the middle coils.

Just have to get round to fitting them which at least should be an easy job.
 
Hi everybody. This subject is interesting me as I would like to firm up White rover's rear. I have the springs from the 1974 2200. These springs have the remains of red on them which I can't find in the manual, alhough the book says that they are stronger, I measured the length at nearly 14". So my question is while they might be stronger will they raise him up a little.
John.
 
John,
I haven't fitted them yet. I jacked the car up ready to start the job the other day. Since then, the weather has been horrible (I have to work outside). Maybe I shall get a chance tomorrow? Of course, will let you know how it goes and maybe try to post some before and after pic's.
 
I fitted the new rear springs over the weekend.

Here is a pic of JVY with the old rear springs (note top of wheel trims disappearing into rear wheel arch).
02JVYwitholdrearsprings24MAR13_zps14785faf.jpg


Here is a picture of old and new springs. The old springs measured approx. 13.5" and the new ones 14". All that I now for sure about the old items is that they were fitted to the car when I got it and they had a white stripe (which is correct for a 2200 according to the Haynes Manual). The new ones have an extra coil and the uneven coil spacing top and bottom is consistent with progressive springs.
14JVYnewandoldrearspringsNSR24MAR13ruleonnew_zps28a4ab64.jpg


Fitting them was slightly more difficult than expected. I don't know if it was because the new items were slightly longer/stiffer but I had a bit of bother keeping the top and bottom of the spring properly located in their seats while I raised the lower arm. I ended up holding the top of the spring with one hand, bottom with the other and pumping the jack with my foot :LOL:
12JVYOSRnewspringfitted24MAR13_zps777f6a98.jpg


After fitting, I reckon the car is sitting about 2” higher at the rear – I can see the tops of the wheel trims again.
17JVYwithnewrearsprings24MAR13_zps055ad554.jpg


As the car is currently SORN’d, I couldn’t go for a proper test drive. However, I was able to go for drive around some private roads. At a speed of 20-30mph on quite bumpy roads, the car certainly feels firmer at the back. Additionally, I was surprised that I was aware the car was sitting higher when driving.
 
Looking good Steve :D

The back end of Lady C sits about as low as JVY's did on the old springs so I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on those progressive springs once they've seen some road use.

JVY said:
I ended up holding the top of the spring with one hand, bottom with the other and pumping the jack with my foot
Click to expand...

Been there, done that :LOL:

Dave
 
Steve, your pics are the same as the difference my springs made. I too was suprised at the change in the feel of the driving position, I almost adjusted the seat rake, but I soon got used to it. Very strange, I have never felt it on other cars I have uprated the rear end on.
 
Steve

Your car is a dead ringer for mine! I have just recoloured a set of ET's black and fitted them, also just put the spare on the boot.
On the second photo your car is sat the same as mine 1-1 1/2" of tyre showing at the top.

Pat
 
Thanks for the feedback gents. With any luck, I should get JVY taxed next week and can go for a proper test drive. Will be sure to report back.
 
Hi Steve,

That looks a sensational improvment, I can tell that you are very pleased. :D

The quality that the original factory springs must have been lacking in some way given the propensity for sagging.

Ron.
 
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