Has anyone used spring assisters ?

[Harrythedog]

One of my vans ( Renault Kangoo) sits rather low when it's carrying about 350kg of water. The springs are fine as I've had them recently checked but they appear to have contracted slightly due to continually carrying this weight. I was reading an article where caravanners can add spring assisters to their springs to "prop" the car up slightly. Has anyone used these and if so what are the results like?

 

[MarkJunedd]

Yes used them myself on a Rover 800 i had many moons ago as it had a saggy butt. Very effective and lifted the back end about 60mm. Car had previously been used for towing so springs were a little tired.

 

[Harrythedog]

I've noticed that they come in pairs, is that two per spring or one for each spring. Also is there any noticable difference in handling and are they easy to fit

 

[coalville126]

They do work and in your case due to sagging springs it should partially restore ride height. The ride qualiy suffers somewhat, but I don't think you'll notice it on a van carrying 350kg of water. Our family used to have them on a W123 saloon a long while back - like you said, when towing a caravan. It stopped the rear mudflaps catching the road!

 

[coalville126]

It takes the same time as to change a tyre.

 

[MarkJunedd]

I've noticed that they come in pairs, is that two per spring or one for each spring. Also is there any noticable difference in handling and are they easy to fit

One per side. You'd really have a job on your hands to get two on one side !

 

[Harrythedog]

Thanks lads, I'll give them a go. Far cheaper than new springs so they are well worth a try.

Once again thanks for your help

 

[Harrythedog]

It takes the same time as to change a tyre.

One more thing, when you measure the gap in the spring to assertain which size assister is need can you jack up one side of the vehicle to get a measurement or is it best to use a jack to lift the whole of the rear end so both wheels are off the ground?

 

[Sp!ke]

According to the manufacturer of the Graystone ones...

To determine the distance of the gap between springs, measurement is taken halfway down the spring with the vehicle jacked up by the body until the wheel is clear of the ground.

 

[MarkJunedd]

From memory you measure between the coils after you have jacked up one side, so you are measuring the spring off load, if that makes sense. I found useing plenty of washing up liquid on the top and bottom in the spring groove when fitting allowed to slide between the coils easier. Once you got it started then just wind it in to place all round. Just give it a wash with a hose after.

 

[Harrythedog]

Thanks again for all your advice but unfortunately it looks like I'm back to the drawing board as I've just jacked the vehicle up and they don't have the coil system on the rear so I'll just have to grin and bear it.

 

[219]

Autobalans may still work on torsion bar suspension

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[TonyE280]

Thanks again for all your advice but unfortunately it looks like I'm back to the drawing board as I've just jacked the vehicle up and they don't have the coil system on the rear so I'll just have to grin and bear it.

 

[BlackC55]

Get a 210, 211 or 124 estate as they all have self leveling rear suspension. Problem solved.

 

[Harrythedog]

Got a 211 estate Olly but no way I'm using that for work!

 

[219]

The other option is fit a towbar and put some of the load in a small trailer .

The autobalans DO work - I bought a pair for my W126 , pending me getting the rest of the self levelling system to retrofit , currently have the struts but need to find a W126 or W123 breaking to get the rest of the parts from and , estates excepted , it is a fairly rare option .

The autobalans can give you an inch or two of extra lift .

 

[Harrythedog]

The other option is fit a towbar and put some of the load in a small trailer .

The autobalans DO work - I bought a pair for my W126 , pending me getting the rest of the self levelling system to retrofit , currently have the struts but need to find a W126 or W123 breaking to get the rest of the parts from and , estates excepted , it is a fairly rare option .

The autobalans can give you an inch or two of extra lift .

A trailer is out of the question as the van has a 400lt water tank. I'll check out the Autobalans but I was after a cheap fix as the van will be renewed in the next year or so.
Thanks for your post

 

[jaymanek]

Get a 210, 211 or 124 estate as they all have self leveling rear suspension. Problem solved.

dont forget the w123

 

[219]

A trailer is out of the question as the van has a 400lt water tank......... the van will be renewed in the next year or so.

What about a decommissioned Fire engine ?

They come with pretty big water tanks as standard ?

Ours carry about 20 tons of water on board .

 

[Harrythedog]

Excellent, I'll have one but can you knock the pressure down to about 80psi?

That'll keep me going a few months although I get funny looks off the neighbours for having vans outside the house so I don't know what they make of a fire engine but he who dares.......