Springs instead of donuts

[mellowyellow]

I finally saw the full episode of Wheeler Dealers on 9Rush yesterday. They took a "very rare" 70's Australian moke, and tweaked a few things before selling it again. They added a new hood, which seemed as loose as the one it replaced. Put in an electric thermostat controlled fan and a 4 core radiator. Fixed some underbody rust.

The major change was replacing the rubber donuts with some specially made tapered springs front and rear, and swapped out the trumpets for hi lo's. Although they didn't show a good after shot of the new rear set up.
So what are people's thoughts on springs instead of donuts?

[Halfpint]

Springs will last longer I guess.
But Donuts rule  IMO

If you want to try springs, go for it, lots of people do, I just keep hearing that they are far too rigid for our 700kg cars.

HP

[Terry]

Hi,

I am not a fan of them in the rear as when loaded the springs can bind(close up) leaving you with a broken trailing arm pin while the donut can soften the blow if you still have a bump stop in the rear.

There are also a alot of variations of springs around to some brands may be better than others for stiffness and durability and they may have improved since I had to replace both of Smokey's springs in his Red Moke on the way Birdsville some years ago as he broke both trailing arms going over a cattle grid.

In the front the spring binding can be tolerated by the suspension.

Terry

[moemoke]

personally I think they are fine for race cars on nice smooth tracks were they need stiff suspension and not much travel.
On a moke and the state of Australian roads I'd steer clear of them.

[Drakman]

From what i can ascertain, the steel coil springs are linear in there spring rate and donuts are progressive, well more so than the steel coil springs.   So donuts should give a better ride on the road.

Coil over shocks might be better option?

[Steam]

I was also of the opinion that such short springs do not perform properly, they need a certain size distance to be effective.
Hi Lo's on the other hand are a great mod.

[Terry]

Hi,

I think the real issue here is MellowYellow getting her mechanical advice from a reality TV show like Wheeler Dealers.

Terry

[mellowyellow]

Springs will last longer I guess.
But Donuts rule  IMO

If you want to try springs, go for it, lots of people do, I just keep hearing that they are far too rigid for our 700kg cars.

HP

Yes HP, I like to keep things as original as possible. Just curious about other peoples ideas. 

I was also of the opinion that such short springs do not perform properly, they need a certain size distance to be effective.
Hi Lo's on the other hand are a great mod.

You're right Steam, they were quite short.

Hi,

I think the real issue here is MellowYellow getting her mechanical advice from a reality TV show like Wheeler Dealers.

Terry

lol Terry. Might also explain why the final test drive was on a beach, and not on a solid road.