Saggy front spring

[june]

Right driver side front spring looks to me like it has collapsed ? as you can see in pic, the top 3 rounds of coil are sitting on top of each other, other pic is passenger side front spring. what are your thoughts ?

[Bloodyaussie]

Yeah those springs have had enough, check the rears also but I think its time for some new ones.

Try and avoid cheap brands as they sag much more quickly than good quality ones.

[MudRunnerTD]

Your looking at the opposite sides of the coils. The exact opposite part of the wrap.

They look about the same to me when lined up. They are a progressive spring which is why there is those at the top, when the car goes up they will holes slow down the compression of the spring.

They look a little rusty in spots and are probably past it. But are serviceable.

Does the car sit flat?

[june]

the drivers side spring, the coils are flat all the way around. and does sag on drivers side compared to passenger side by 10mm. this is with a broken piece of a 15mm coil spacer on drivers side. there is no spacer on passenger side. [ driver side measurement from bottom of wheel rim to underside of wheel arch is 810mm and passenger 820mm]

[threedogs]

most coil 4x4 will sag first on drivers side

[MudRunnerTD]

the drivers side spring, the coils are flat all the way around. and does sag on drivers side compared to passenger side by 10mm. this is with a broken piece of a 15mm coil spacer on drivers side. there is no spacer on passenger side. [ driver side measurement from bottom of wheel rim to underside of wheel arch is 810mm and passenger 820mm]

did you fit the springs? how long have they been in the car?

[june]

they are 9 years old and were fitted by opposite lock. they matched them up to suit steel bull bar and winch.

[nissannewby]

That's a pretty good run.

[june]

I agree it's a very good run out of them. and I think its time for a new set. so has anyone got any preferences on brands. don't want them made out of gold but don't want to buy cheap s... either.

[nissannewby]

I have always used dobinson and never had an issue. Kings are also good as well. OME.

The biggest thing is getting the right spring rate. Make sure you tell the supplier what engine, bar work winch etc. even better if you know the weights of your accessories.

[june]

my troll is set up for touring. the weight of the vehicle never changes and weighs 3,020 kg I have heard of linear and progressive rate design springs as well as constant and variable rate, what's this all mean? and which would suit my set up?

[nissannewby]

You have kind of answered your own question.

Constant load coils will be suited best. Progressive rate etc is more so a term use with long flexy coils which aren't really suited to your application. Don't get caught up in the terminology to much.

[Morton]

they're shagged mate, most springs are much of a muchness in the quality units, stay away from fleabay, a few knocks off lately apparently, go a well known brand, pay the reddies & be done with it, look at Old Man Emu, Toughdog, Dollisons, Kings, even Pedders do a really good set, save your sheckles & buy a set of shocks al round, put half a day aside to fit it all, the rear will only take 1 hour for shocks & springs, the front takes longer, go a 2" lift whilst your there as it doesn't cost anymore

[june]

in my workshop manual it shows a rubber insulator that sits between spring and spring tower, should these be replaced when fitting new springs?

[Morton]

if they are worn out by all means, if no wear holes then don't bother, they are usually on the front though, never seen them on the rear but that doesn't mean they aren't suppose to have them on the rear

[june]

thanks guys, look like I'm going shopping

[june]

one other thing, I know the rear springs seat into a groove when fitting. does the front springs do the same or can rotate in any position.

[Morton]

from memory they sit in position like the rears, been a spell since I ripped mine out

[MudRunnerTD]

yeah they seat in the top though

[june]

can't see any seat at the bottom, but when I pull the old springs out I'll check the top. thanks

[nissannewby]

yeah they seat in the top though

X2 with this. At the top.

[june]

so the rubber insulator that seats in the top of the spring does not interfere with this.

[MudRunnerTD]

no not at all mate it will just mould around the keyway.

The rubber is mostly there just to keep the things quiet. so it is not metal on metal. they are about 3mm thick and have 3ton of car sitting on them so they will adapt ;)

[june]

ordered insulators{$42 each from Nissan} and waiting on springs to arrive{tough dogs} thanks everyone for their input