Hi just wondered if anyone has used rubber spring assisters if so what are your thoughts we have a large dog in the boot so thought these might give alittle help!!
Thanks
Paul
Thanks
Paul
Spring assisters
- Thread starter taylor.paul
- Start date
- Mar 14, 2005
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Do you find that the suspension bottoms out when the car is fully laden? If not, there seems little point in doing any modification to the suspension. Anything to harden the rear springs can only produce a harsher ride when driving solo and have a negative effect on the handling by increasing the oversteer characteristics of the vehicle (even if the change may not be very noticeable). Any benefit will be purely cosmetic, making the car look less back end down when fully laden.
A much better idea would be to fit adjustable shock absorbers which you can harden only when required. On the whole though, unless the springs on the car are 'tired' or if you do a lot of mileage with stuff in the back of the car, there shouldn't be the need to do anything.
A much better idea would be to fit adjustable shock absorbers which you can harden only when required. On the whole though, unless the springs on the car are 'tired' or if you do a lot of mileage with stuff in the back of the car, there shouldn't be the need to do anything.
Seeing this post reminded to me to ask if anyone can remember what the spring assisters were called that were available about 20 years ago.
Basically they were tough inflatable balls that you squeezed in between the srpings, and then pumped up through the car type valve on them, with the garage airline to a specified pressure.
They used to be brilliant. Easy to fit, and worked too.
Wonder if they are still available?
Basically they were tough inflatable balls that you squeezed in between the srpings, and then pumped up through the car type valve on them, with the garage airline to a specified pressure.
They used to be brilliant. Easy to fit, and worked too.
Wonder if they are still available?
I never thought much about them for years until I fitted a pair of rubber type dough-nuts earlier this year, and what a difference. Car is much stabiler, they were not exspensive and were very easy to fit, when driving solo I never notice any difference
i wouldn`t bother with the bits of rubber, but I would look seriously at MAD auxilliary springs.
Having used them on numerous cars (where needed) over a period of twenty years or so, they work brilliantly, and on numerous Peugeots improved the handling and ride considerably, even when lightly laden.
Having used them on numerous cars (where needed) over a period of twenty years or so, they work brilliantly, and on numerous Peugeots improved the handling and ride considerably, even when lightly laden.
Just had a look, and the link to the MAD site may be useful to others. Seems like good stuff, and I see that they also do interactive springing via air-inflated pods, which is similar to what I was describing.
http://www.mad-suspension.co.uk/home.htm
http://www.mad-suspension.co.uk/home.htm
Keith, I think the rubber balls were called Auto-balans. Don't know if they're still around though.
Having had a series of Peugeot 405s as Company cars, the suspension became wallowy with just a couple of adults in the back.
Soft suspension and a (proportionately) long overhang meant any weight in the boot pointed the nose skyward, even without anything on the hitch.
The difference with MAD springs was unreal, and these were new cars! The fact that the handling improved solo was an unexpected bonus.
The last four VW`s I`ve had have never needed assistance, but would`nt hesitate to purchase some if necessary.
Soft suspension and a (proportionately) long overhang meant any weight in the boot pointed the nose skyward, even without anything on the hitch.
The difference with MAD springs was unreal, and these were new cars! The fact that the handling improved solo was an unexpected bonus.
The last four VW`s I`ve had have never needed assistance, but would`nt hesitate to purchase some if necessary.
You hit the nail on the head Angus, just a to point out it never bottoms out, but when the dogs in the boot the mudflaps make a noise when the vans on, i justwondered if they would help to give that extra 1/2 inch or so without going to the expense of new springs, when dogs not in boot no noise though.
Thanks
Paul
Thanks
Paul
If I`m not mistaken, MADs were progressive springs, so their effect increases with the loading on them.
They will stop the `flaps scraping, but are more expensive than the rubber things.
At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. Only you can decide how much of a problem you have, and what your budget is.
Best of luck.
They will stop the `flaps scraping, but are more expensive than the rubber things.
At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. Only you can decide how much of a problem you have, and what your budget is.
Best of luck.
I think I would put an extra couple of pounds in the tyres and take the mud flaps off.
Oh and put the dog on a diet ;O)
Oh and put the dog on a diet ;O)
http://www.mad-suspension.co.uk/progressive.htm
MAD do different types of springs
I have had the auxillary springs on a Picasso,the shock absorber type on a Peugeot 404 estate and the variable rate springs on the X Trail
As well as "looking" better they avoid scraping of mudflaps and damage to jockey wheels etc on boarding ferries.
If you have to carry anything heavy in the boot such as an invalid buggy they are well worth the expense as well as giving a level(ish) outfit when towing .
MAD do different types of springs
I have had the auxillary springs on a Picasso,the shock absorber type on a Peugeot 404 estate and the variable rate springs on the X Trail
As well as "looking" better they avoid scraping of mudflaps and damage to jockey wheels etc on boarding ferries.
If you have to carry anything heavy in the boot such as an invalid buggy they are well worth the expense as well as giving a level(ish) outfit when towing .
Couldn't agree more about the auxilliary springs. We got an Octavia Mk1 last September and I was surprised to find how much the ball dropped (maybe 2") when I hitched up with 57Kg nose weight (Octavia is limited to 60Kg.)
Got a pair of aux springs from Grayston Engineering - about
Got a pair of aux springs from Grayston Engineering - about
Of course one has checked the noseweight is what it is supposed to be??, not over the top. And the boot is not full of everything and proverbial kitchen sink.
Also maybe one should check with the insurers that the modification you are doing is acceptable. As long as the new springs are a manufacturer's accepted part then there should be no problem. Fitting anything else may be risky, regardless of what the supplier may state.
Also maybe one should check with the insurers that the modification you are doing is acceptable. As long as the new springs are a manufacturer's accepted part then there should be no problem. Fitting anything else may be risky, regardless of what the supplier may state.
I think Scotch Lad you have got the wrong end of the stick.
The springs in question are to the existing car springs. They fit inside the existing coil, the top sitting against the rubber mount of the car spring, the bottom sits on a plug that fills the hole in the middle of the bottom spring cup/seat. They are under slight tension when the car is not loaded and don't fall out when the springs stretch, but as soon as load is applied to the rear they provide assistance to the standard springs to stop the rear end 'sitting down' too much.
As such they are an accessory and should not cause any trouble with the manufacturer. You can of course fit estate car springs instead of the car springs, but they will change the car handling as well as make the back end stiffer - that may well upset the manufacturer!
The springs in question are to the existing car springs. They fit inside the existing coil, the top sitting against the rubber mount of the car spring, the bottom sits on a plug that fills the hole in the middle of the bottom spring cup/seat. They are under slight tension when the car is not loaded and don't fall out when the springs stretch, but as soon as load is applied to the rear they provide assistance to the standard springs to stop the rear end 'sitting down' too much.
As such they are an accessory and should not cause any trouble with the manufacturer. You can of course fit estate car springs instead of the car springs, but they will change the car handling as well as make the back end stiffer - that may well upset the manufacturer!
No, I stand by my point. If you modify your car in any way that is outside the manufacturer's specification for that model then you should advise the insurers. Even fitting a towbar counts. If you have an accident and the modification is discovered, you may end up with no payout.
It is a choice each person makes, but is it worth it?
It is a choice each person makes, but is it worth it?
Don`t agree S.L.
If you fit a K&N air filter, do you notify your insurance company, or fit a different brand of windscreen wiper, which may be less efficient?
I have yet to see a car fitted with `Matador` or loads of other `budget` (some unheard of!) tyres, yet surely they are the most important of the lot as they are your only contact with the road (unless you roll it), yet do you inform your insurance company? The fact they may have the same loading rates and be of the same size doesn`t get away from their overall characteristics being different from the tyres specified as O.E by the manufacturers.
It is an area being looked at by the eurocrats which would drive out `pattern part` makers, and drive up motoring costs, it would also prevent you from doing things like changing a bulb.
Not the way I want to go thanks, after they`ve done with cars they`ll start on your home.
If you fit a K&N air filter, do you notify your insurance company, or fit a different brand of windscreen wiper, which may be less efficient?
I have yet to see a car fitted with `Matador` or loads of other `budget` (some unheard of!) tyres, yet surely they are the most important of the lot as they are your only contact with the road (unless you roll it), yet do you inform your insurance company? The fact they may have the same loading rates and be of the same size doesn`t get away from their overall characteristics being different from the tyres specified as O.E by the manufacturers.
It is an area being looked at by the eurocrats which would drive out `pattern part` makers, and drive up motoring costs, it would also prevent you from doing things like changing a bulb.
Not the way I want to go thanks, after they`ve done with cars they`ll start on your home.
Surely then the fitting of many towbars are a `technical modification` if they require the removal (as many nowadays do) of the manufacturers bumpers (behind the pretty plastic covers) and replacement with the towbar assembly?
And how many of us have informed their insurance company of this? The notion is plainly ludicrous and unworkable.
And how many of us have informed their insurance company of this? The notion is plainly ludicrous and unworkable.
- Mar 14, 2005
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You're probably right, Angus, and one needs to use a bit of common sense whether the modification is such that it could involve a possible increase in risk for the insurance company of which they need to be informed. They do tend to try to find any loophole not to have to pay up in case of a claim.
However, the notion is not that absurd. In Germany, fitting spring assisters, towbars or anything else that constitutes a technical modification, requires the car to be re-MOT'd (or rather the German equivalent) and the details must be entered into the vehicle log book. A friend who has a 4x4 modified with raised suspension, non-standard off-road tyres and some modifications to the bodywork now has a log book with 3 pages of entries listing every change to the vehicle since it was first registered.
However, the notion is not that absurd. In Germany, fitting spring assisters, towbars or anything else that constitutes a technical modification, requires the car to be re-MOT'd (or rather the German equivalent) and the details must be entered into the vehicle log book. A friend who has a 4x4 modified with raised suspension, non-standard off-road tyres and some modifications to the bodywork now has a log book with 3 pages of entries listing every change to the vehicle since it was first registered.
I can confirm that fitting a tow bar does require the insurers to be notified. They are not bothered, just as long as they know.
I suspect that spring assisters would be another one because there is always the possibility that someone could overload the vehicle. As Lutz has stated, if in doubt advise them rather than have to argue a claim later.
I suspect that spring assisters would be another one because there is always the possibility that someone could overload the vehicle. As Lutz has stated, if in doubt advise them rather than have to argue a claim later.
If you buy a 10 year old second-hand car, how do you know if everything is "standard"?
And how would you know if a modern one hadn't been "chipped"?
And how would you know if a modern one hadn't been "chipped"?
I was about to answer Ogre's question when I spotted Emmerson's post and agree, they were called Auto-ballons but I think they were around over 20 years ago, more like 35.
Brum
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