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Replacement leaf springs

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voltagectrl View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote voltagectrl Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Replacement leaf springs
    Posted: 23 May 19 at 09:14
Hey everyone,

One of the things on the current ToDo-list is to resolve the horrible body roll and pretty significant rear end sag on our van.

I followed the instructions over at lt-forum.de and measured the height from the body panels to the ground and noticed that our van sits almost a full 10 cm lower on the right side compared to the left side!

I've replaced the shocks and have ordered new polyurethane bull eggs, as they are completely missing. But since the springs are supposed to carry most of the weight even without the eggs I'm guessing that the leaf springs are bent out of shape.

Does anyone here have any experience with fitting new springs? The replacement itself seems very straightforward, the difficult task seems to be sourcing suitable replacements.


So, on to the questions:

1. The part listings that I've seen mention both, two-, three- and five(?) leaf setups. Being an LT35 I assumed we would have at least the three leaf setup, but apparently we only have two leafs. Do you know anything more about the different setups?

2. Do you guys think that it would be a good idea to upgrade to the three leaf version? It's a motor home conversion so it's loaded full of stuff, but I haven't weighed the van so I'm not sure what the actual load is.

3. Any suggestions on where to get replacement springs?


Best regards
1982 LT 35, 2.0 Petrol with custom camper conversion
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LTCamper89 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 May 19 at 12:20
The springs are meant to look sad under full load. It is quite a common concern for MoT/TuV tests but is shown clearly in the Owners Manual and official LT documentation.


There are numerous manufacturers of leaf springs, if you cannot locate the one you want from another owner.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Buss Marius Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 May 19 at 15:57
Get your van on a scale and find out how heavy it is.
I hav 2+ 1/2 on my LT28 Karmann. Another Karmann owner i Norway has a LT 31 but also the 2+ 1/2 springs. I have 1680kg max on the rear axle and he has 1940kg. I usualy have around 1660kg on the rear axle, so not mutch to go on. I have alu Wheels to save weight, have no water in the tanks and i dont want to have heavyer springs, so if/when i replace mine, i will replace them With another set of 2+ 1/2 so i don't reduce my load capasity.
https://www.blattfeder-shop.de/Blattfeder-VW-LT-86-96-4-Blatt-3-1 Has som springs for Your van, if you want to go up to 2+ 1/2 springs. Be aware there are different lengths on the springs, before and after 1986. Since you are in Sweden i would check if Lesjöfors could deliver to you.
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voltagectrl View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote voltagectrl Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 May 19 at 20:51
Oh great. I’ve managed to completely miss that page.. my German is rubbish ;). Will need to read that one and ASAP.
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voltagectrl View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote voltagectrl Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 May 19 at 20:53
Thanks Marius, I’ll find a scale and get to work. Great info.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Monster LT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Sep 19 at 22:42
Did you resolve your spring sag issue? Most campers will have unbalanced loads. Sounds like yours have got weak. Your old springs can be renewed or repaired if necessary. The steel gets tired with use and age but can be fired and tempered back to original springiness. There is one of these specialists in the UK. Perhaps you can find one in Sweden too? Could be alot cheaper than new springs.


Edited by Monster LT - 24 Sep 19 at 22:43
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DrSmooth Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 19 at 16:53
I found my replacement springs on https://www.vwpartsprime.com/ . They were shipped fast and I got a nice deal. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Monster LT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Sep 19 at 22:00
Originally posted by DrSmooth DrSmooth wrote:

I found my replacement springs on https://www.vwpartsprime.com/ . They were shipped fast and I got a nice deal. 

What vehicle do you have and what were the springs you got?
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voltagectrl View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote voltagectrl Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 20 at 20:00
Hello guys,

I finally got round to ordering a set of new springs for my LT.

I decided to get a 2+1 package from lesjöfors, unfortunately. I received the shorter spring package. And they won’t fit in my LT.

So, my thought’s now are.

1: try to return the springs and look for other ones (I can’t seem to find any data on the different lengths though)

2: just take the two good springs without the mounting points from the new package, and combine them with the longest spring from the old package to be able to mount it in the fittings.

Is that a really bad idea? I realize the springs are perhaps calibrated to work together etc, but will it really make a huge difference? It’d save me the effort of returning the parts, going hunting online for replacements again etc.

I’m wondering if there will be some extra mechanical stress on the longest, old leaf, since the new leaf nr 2 will be roughly 20cm shorter?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Beat regards
Christoffer
1982 LT 35, 2.0 Petrol with custom camper conversion
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nooberdoober Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 20 at 22:12
I'd probably try to flog them online and the get the old springs that do fit, reconditioned at one of the places that specialise in such things. It's possible to get them back to their original temper. Owens springs might do it. You can buy the rubber bushes no problem. Sorry to repeat what's been said above but its the best advise. Mine need doing for the same reason as yours and that's what I'm going to do. I imagine selling the ones you have won't be too difficult these days on the auction site. 
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voltagectrl View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote voltagectrl Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 20 at 07:48
A solid tip!

I actually still have the option to return the ones I bought so that’s not doing to be an issue. I’d consider retempering mine but I have no idea where that could be done here in sweden.

Also, looking at that German site that marius linked - they have to versions of springs for the LT. The longer ones, for the 1986-1996 vans, and the shorter leafs for the 1975-1985 vans.

But my van is a 1982 and still seems to need the longer leafs?! Makes no sense Confused

Well... At least now I have the two versions at home, so I can do some proper measuring.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Monster LT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 20 at 19:25
Originally posted by nooberdoober nooberdoober wrote:

Owens springs
Thats the company I spoke to. Pricey but they seem to know what to do. My money would be with them. I got bushes from buycarparts.co.uk for a good price too. They have various international mirror sites and are based in Germany.  
If looking for new springs there is a German supplier I remember being mentioned on LT-freunde.de that had lots of options for LT's. Worth checking the search "blattfedern". But Sweden must have it's spring refurb specialists too. Go hunt!


Edited by Monster LT - 02 May 20 at 19:30
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Buss Marius Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 20 at 17:36
It could be a bitt different since it is a 35Z and not a 35E. Do the messurements and send them to lesjøfors. If not try Blattfeder-shop.de, they should know the difference between a 35Z and 35E.


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