DEFENDER2.NET - View topic - V8 CSW Rear Spring Recommendations?

↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home · FAQ · New Posts · My Posts · PMs · Search · Members · Map · Calendar · Profile · Donate · Register · Log In

Home > Technical > V8 CSW Rear Spring Recommendations?

Page 1 of 1

Print this entire topic ·

skwdenyer

Member Since: 25 Dec 2012
Location: London
Posts: 11

1987 Defender 110 V8 Petrol CSW Alpine White

V8 CSW Rear Spring Recommendations?

Hi there. Long-time lurker, finally got my long-broken 1987 V8 110 CSW back on the road, now need to keep the momentum up with a "rolling restoration." So after a little help.

My rear springs are corroded. They also seem a little "settled" - the stance just doesn't seem quite right.

Looking around, it seems to me that more recent Defenders have a "tail up" stance whereas older ones appear to sit flatter, dipping under load.

What is the current state of the art thought-wise on what replacement springs to use? Should I be looking for the "tail up" stance (which I admit seems to suit the beast) and, if so, am I looking at complete replacement of all 4 springs to achieve that safely?

Thanks!

23rd Jul 2017 2:47pm

Retroanaconda

Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2633

Early CSW vehicles such as yours used a soft rear spring and a Boge hydraulic damper thing which 'pumped' the rear end under load. These generally fail after a while and if the rear springs sag with age the vehicle will sit arse-down. It should sit level with everything working okay. This was a good setup but the struts failed in time.

Because of the general rubbish-ness of the self-levelling strut thing on later models Land Rover did away with it and used progressive springs on the rear, these are a compromise between soft springs for a good ride and stiff ones for load carrying. One of the side effects of this is the arse-up attitude that you describe.

Your simplest option is to just fit the later progressive SW springs. However as I prefer the nicer ride I will be refitting the soft early springs and using airbag helpers to replace the function of the levelling strut.

23rd Jul 2017 2:55pm

skwdenyer

Member Since: 25 Dec 2012
Location: London
Posts: 11

Thanks for that. So perhaps I need to run it about a bit and see if the Boge unit is actually screwed? I've only just got it back to MOT standard (a long way to go to where I want to be, but at least can drive).

Are the Boges rebuildable / replaceable? Right now I have an original CSW and, whilst not an "authenticity nut," I quite like the idea of keeping things as standard as possible (not least because, given where I live, insurance is a headache and I only want to go down the modifications route for things that I *really* want).

Thanks again

23rd Jul 2017 2:59pm

Retroanaconda

Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2633

I'm not sure they're still available new. I've heard of people trying to rebuild them with no success.

Put some weight in the back - enough to drop the suspension a bit - and measure the height to the rear door threshold (or similar). Then go for a drive and remeasure, the self-levelling strut should pump it back up to standard height. If it doesn't then it's knackered.

23rd Jul 2017 4:08pm

Sadi

Member Since: 23 Jul 2015
Location: Windhoek
Posts: 334

2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 Heritage Edition SW Grasmere Green

OME Repacement suspension parts..

Nice summary here of the OME range:

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/ome/indexsprings.php

25th Jul 2017 5:41am

Page 1 of 1

All times are GMT

Jump to

< Previous Topic | Next Topic >

Posting Rules

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum