Replacement leaf springs |
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voltagectrl
Not Quite Newbie Joined: 14 Jun 17 Location: Umeå, Sweden Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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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
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1982 LT 35, 2.0 Petrol with custom camper conversion
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LTCamper89
Vanorak Joined: 18 Apr 12 Location: The Toon Status: Offline Points: 4285 |
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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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1989 LT28 2.4D Saviour of 6Music, well one of them. Now playing http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/bbc_6music
VW LT Camper not Cramper ....at least the roof is not rusting away.... |
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Buss Marius
Groupie Joined: 05 Jan 16 Location: Oslo Norway Status: Offline Points: 236 |
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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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87 Karmann LT L 2,4D. 89 T3 Syncro Reimo 1,9TD. 2000 T4 Caravelle TDI
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voltagectrl
Not Quite Newbie Joined: 14 Jun 17 Location: Umeå, Sweden Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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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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1982 LT 35, 2.0 Petrol with custom camper conversion
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voltagectrl
Not Quite Newbie Joined: 14 Jun 17 Location: Umeå, Sweden Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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Thanks Marius, I’ll find a scale and get to work. Great info.
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1982 LT 35, 2.0 Petrol with custom camper conversion
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Monster LT
Yardie Joined: 02 Jan 15 Status: Offline Points: 392 |
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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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LT45-TD-ACL-intercooler-4x4-1993
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DrSmooth
Not Quite Newbie Joined: 13 Dec 18 Location: Los Angeles Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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I found my replacement springs on https://www.vwpartsprime.com/ . They were shipped fast and I got a nice deal.
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Monster LT
Yardie Joined: 02 Jan 15 Status: Offline Points: 392 |
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What vehicle do you have and what were the springs you got?
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LT45-TD-ACL-intercooler-4x4-1993
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voltagectrl
Not Quite Newbie Joined: 14 Jun 17 Location: Umeå, Sweden Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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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
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1982 LT 35, 2.0 Petrol with custom camper conversion
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nooberdoober
Yardie Joined: 23 Apr 12 Location: Cambridgshire Status: Offline Points: 271 |
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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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I got me a 2.4 straight Six......and it's a soundin JUICY!
1984 LT40 2.4 petrol Coachbuilt Autotrail Motorhome |
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voltagectrl
Not Quite Newbie Joined: 14 Jun 17 Location: Umeå, Sweden Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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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 Well... At least now I have the two versions at home, so I can do some proper measuring. |
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1982 LT 35, 2.0 Petrol with custom camper conversion
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Monster LT
Yardie Joined: 02 Jan 15 Status: Offline Points: 392 |
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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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LT45-TD-ACL-intercooler-4x4-1993
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Buss Marius
Groupie Joined: 05 Jan 16 Location: Oslo Norway Status: Offline Points: 236 |
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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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87 Karmann LT L 2,4D. 89 T3 Syncro Reimo 1,9TD. 2000 T4 Caravelle TDI
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