Rear Spring Assisters

SMP999
SMP999 Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited July 2019 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hello folks... Can anyone advise me on this one: I'm contemplating fitting the rubber spring assists to the rear springs (Obviously!) of my Mondeo as it tends to drive low on the rear end when towing the caravan. Has anyone used these before on any vehicle? If you've had a Mondeo, what size rubbers do I need?... In anticipation... Steve

Comments

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,859 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #2

    Steve

    Have you considered MAD auxiliary springs? Many moons ago I fitted the sort you illustrate to one of my tow cars but wasn't that impressed. On my next car I fitted MAD springs and they made a real difference to the rear ride height. 

    David

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited July 2019 #3

    Spring assisters shouldn’t really be necessary as the maximum rear axle load can’t be any higher when towing than when solo with the boot full of luggage. If the car is sitting down too much when laden there must be something wrong with its suspension, so that should be seen to before contemplating any spring assisters.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited July 2019 #4

    You've said similar before Lutz, but we know that in the real world that many cars sit notably lower even when there are just 3 'generously sized' people sat in the back seat .... 

  • SMP999
    SMP999 Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited July 2019 #5

    I've spoken to my local garage that I normally use and they mentioned the weights but the laden weights are based on the vehicle being at max occupancy and fully laden.... not towing. Towing weights are based on minimum occupancy of the vehicle ie. Driver only.. They said they don't see any reason not to try them as they'll only give a higher & firmer ride as the springs are not compressed to the full weighted capacity. So... the questions now are do I or don't I? and Who's tried them and what's your opinion?... Steve

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,810 ✭
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    edited July 2019 #6

    Way back, I fitted some to a Sierra, made no difference. A waste of money, imo.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited July 2019 #7

    A Sierra? That WAS  a way back 😉

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,138 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #8

    I can beat that. Had them fitted to a Ford Zephyr in the early 1970s. They helped, too.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited July 2019 #9

    Did they have coil springs back then? Ford seemed to prefer the use of cart springs ..... even the Crapi still had leaf springs. 😉

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #10

    It was one of the first to have independent rear suspension 

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited July 2019 #11

    Weight at maximum occupancy and fully laden must not be exceeded even when towing. Towing weights apply to tensile forces between car and caravan, not vertical forces on the towball.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,138 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #12

    It was leaf springs, MM, so I may have misled you a bit. The assister was not like those in the OP’s pic but was an inverted spring leaf that clamped on top of the main spring. 

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #13

    OH has fitted them to a couple of our cars SMax and now Kuga his opinion is that its worth it, easy to fit.

  • SMP999
    SMP999 Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited July 2019 #14

    Now we're in the realms of the modern day Ford and as mine being a 10yr old Mondy, I am self convinced (several rum n cokes later) that I will have a go with them. They are inexpensive compared to a £200+ spring conversion or shocker upgrade. So, at my peril, I will check my spring sizes tomorrow and purchase to see IF they are as good / bad as people deem, be it in here or other discussion sites.. Wish me luck. I will however re-post my findings... Steve

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited July 2019 #15

    Are you having problems with the suspension bottoming out when the car is fully laden? If not, why bother? On the other hand you may already be exceeding the maximum permissible rear axle load when towing, in which case the problem is a completely different one.

  • SMP999
    SMP999 Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited July 2019 #16

    No.. no problems. Just seems low on the rear end and want to minimalise the bounce that you get when towing. All weights are well below max.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited July 2019 #17

    Undesirable bounce sounds like more a problem with the dampers than with the springs.

  • SMP999
    SMP999 Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited August 2019 #18

    Ok, having made my decision I went and bought some from the well known 'Intergalactic Supermarket' of Ebay for £15.00 so not a bank breaker and worth the risk.

    Took 10 mins to fit and so easy ('58 2.0Tdci  Mondeo)

    The test - 800 miles from York to St Ives in Cornwall (Rtn).

    The opinion - What a difference they made. The suspension did not feel spongy or bouncy and was unbelievably firm. Other than towing the weight and the aero-dynamics of a brick, you would not know you had the caravan on the back. BRILLIANT!. They are staying on...

    Ok, you all have your opinions but before you got out and buy a set of springs for £200+, try these to get an idea of what difference they make. I'm sure upgraded springs make a similar difference.

    I certainly would recommend them as a budget option.

    I am intrigued on any opinions should you decide to try them..

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #19

    Glad you tried them and are as happy with them as we are, as you say for the cost its worth the very short time it takes to fit them.

    Thanks for coming back and telling us your findings.

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