Some advice on springs

[V8P6B]

Hi All, I've read the posts on rear spring/shock setup, and didn't want to hijack it with a load of questions. I'm about to buy new springs, shocks and bushes for the rear of my P6. I want the car to sit level, I guess with the top of the wheelrim just showing under the arch, They're over an inch above the bottom of the arch at the moment, as you can see in This pic . I'm looking for a comfy ride, its not going to be thrown around a track, I don't want it too firm, but not too wallowy either. I was thinking about putting HD springs with gas adjustables on the back, but am a little unsure after reading the post rover-tragic wrote on this subject. I'm not sure I want too harsh a ride, but am no expert on springs and shocks. So now I'm thinking about going for a fairly stock setup. I want to get it right first time, cos of the outlay involved, but the problem is, I've never actually driven a P6 on the road yet, I bought mine as a project, so I don't know how far to go with this. The car is unlikely to have anyone riding in the back very often, as its just the 2 of us, so I don't know whether to go for HD springs, or standard ones. Any help on this would be very much appreciated

[rockdemon]

I think standard springs and shocks are just fine... but that's all just opinion of course!

Rich

[chrisyork]

If you've got an inch of tyre showing under your wheel arch I think I'd raise a heartfelt "thank you" to the Rover God in the sky and move on to the next problem! That sounds pretty well spot on for correct ride height. And you're right - you probably haven't ever seen one ride that high! Before changing springs I'd get the workshop manual out and try measuring your ride height against standard. There is a section headed "Trim Height Rear" on page 64/25/12 or 64/30/02. Trim height is quoted as centre line of top link pivot attachment beside boot side to floor, less centre line of road wheel to floor equals 95.00 mm -/+ 6.00 mm.

If you do want to change springs then I would first consider what you might do at the front. The key consideration is upgrade front anti-roll bar or not. If not use standard springs at the rear. If yes then buy a set of Rover HD springs. Do not buy variable rate springs unless you are going to go round corners very gently! The spec for the Rover HD springs is on the previous page of the workshop manual - ie no of working coils 5.27, free length 320.8 mm and rate 53.58 kg/cm. All you need to know extra to get a set made is the outer diameter which is 5.785" (147 mm). Sorry about the mix of units - I didn't measure the diameter! The reason for this is that if you increase the front roll stiffness, you have to introduce a matching increase at he rear, otherwise you lose the handling balance towards understeer. Since the rear doesn't have an anti roll bar the only way to do this is to stiffen the springs. You won't notice the effect on ride as its only a 10% uplift.

Using the GAZ dampers available from Winn's and Alan Ramsbottom at Classeparts is a wise and completely neutral decision. You can set them up later to give you the combination of ride quality and handling precision you want - as soft and comfortable as standard if you like.

I think on reflection I'd leave the rear springs until after you've got a running car - its only a half hour job to change them. The fronts are a whole different ball park!

Chris

[V8P6B]

Cheers Chris, thats really good advice. I'll use my existing springs to start with. The shocks are ok too, rusty, but working. I'll clean them up & paint them, they'll do a turn for now. Just one thing though...

If you've got an inch of tyre showing under your wheel arch I think I'd raise a heartfelt "thank you" to the Rover God in the sky and move on to the next problem! That sounds pretty well spot on for correct ride height.

The only thing about this is... what I said was, the wheelrim is an inch above the wheelarch, i.e. the wheelarch comes down below the top of the wheelrim. Its a good job my bump stops are missing, cos I reckon the rear end would sitting on them! If it was the other way round, I'd be really pleased.. I don't think the P6 looks good when its low on the rear.

[quattro]

Can you take a pic from the side of the car, the one you have isn't that clear.

I haven't checked mine for correct height , but there is a lot of room between the bump stop and arm, and he is only sitting slightly higher than yours. These are 14" wheels btw.

[V8P6B]

Cheers for the pic! I can't take any pics of mine at the moment, as I've stripped out the rear suspension & de dion tube & elbows. I'll clean up & paint the springs & shocks, and put them back in, I'll then have a better idea of what's what.