Plymouth-Banjul advice

[corvus]

Hi all,

We're in the Plymouth-banjul challenge leaving this december and need help modifying the suspension.

We need to get the ride height up as much as possible so are looking for the following:

1, I'm going to wind a set of suspension springs into another set to reduce compression and am looking for anyone with old springs they'd be willing to donate or who can point me as to what common vehicles use the same springs.

2, Is there an easy way to make spacers to go between the springs and body to up the car?

3, What is the max angle I can put the axles at before splines etc suffer?

We need the car to make 3700 miles.

Any help (or donation or bits'n'bobs on our site www.woogied.com) will be great and you'll be contributing to helping Gambian charities and Cancer Research UK!

 

[Richard Moakes]

Have a look at these http://www.springassisters.co.uk

I would think this might be more reliable than winding sets of springs together.

As for car preparation, I would be investing in cooling system upgrades, particularly for the gearbox.

Good Luck,

Richard

 

[andy_k]

it will be a very brave and adventurous (for that read foolhardy) person who tries winding two Mercedes front springs together and then compressing them.

It's bad enough with just one spring - the job requires a specialist tool to be done safely. so two would be highly dangerous

adding spring cups to raise height etc is possible - as long as you have the proper spring compressor.

Don't be lulled into a false sense of security by doing the back ones first - they are a breeze, the front ones really are hard work and will be beyond the scope of "normal" spring compressors

Andy

 

[Bolide]

Springs

I'd look at what Mercedes specify for countries with rough terrain. They probably run the ride height a little higher but I would think they would be more likely to install underbody protection

I'd leave the suspension as standard as possible but bolt a big sumpguard under the sump and possibly skid the exhaust system and diff as well

Check all the hydraulics, pipework, rubber gaiters & etc as these will be the things that let you down

Mercedes used to rally a pretty standard 450SLC so I wouldn't worry too much about the car!


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[corvus]

Thanks for the advice.

We're all MOT'd now.

I disabled the rear door central locking by taking the pneumatic bar off the handle (only have to remove the handle cover and door bar). That'll stop the blighter opening the doors at Rosso border!

Now it's finding cars at the scrappie with the same engine bits for spares.

 

[corvus]

Where can I get spring pads from? I cannot find any on google or ebay...