Rubber Coil spring assisters

gygafo replied on 03/09/2016 17:29

Posted on 03/09/2016 17:29

Hi everyone,
Has anyone ever used the Grayson manufactured rubber spring assisters on their tow car. All the other manufacturers seem to have holes to secure the rubber doughnut to the spring with tie wraps. However, the Grayson don't and a quick email asking the manufacturer if they needed securing came back as a simple "no". Now this answer may be because:

1 - they hold in place and never get forced out. - or - 
2 - they do occasionally get forced out and this help to sell more product.

If anyone has any experience of them, do they stay in place or am I better drilling holes and securing with tie wraps?

Cheers!
Nigel. 

gygafo replied on 03/09/2016 20:17

Posted on 03/09/2016 20:17

Thanks Val, I'm fitting them tomorrow and off to Burrs Country Park on Thursday for a few nights so I'll see how they do. My car has a very soft rear suspension and the swan neck tow bar bottoms out over speed bumps etc with the caravan on unless I get the nose weight well down. :)

Cheers!
Nigel.

gygafo replied on 04/09/2016 19:43

Posted on 04/09/2016 19:43

I had them fitted to my Skoda Elagance hatchback and they are worth the money. Just put a little washing up liquid on the rubbers when fitting them and they slip into the springs space OK.

Cheers B&M, fit them today using lots and lots of washing up liquid! It took over an hour for each one to be shoved into the coil spring. I also ended up drilling the rubber and securing with tie-wraps as I wasn't convinced they would stay in place. It has really improved the suspension and added 2 inches to the ride height at the rear and the car doesn't drop when a weight (me) is sat in the boot. Feels great to drive too, a real improvement. If they do get forced out I'm having heavy duty springs fitted as it's much cheaper than laying out for a new car that wont give the 60 mpg that I'm getting (solo) at the moment.

BillandMargaret replied on 04/09/2016 20:13

Posted on 04/09/2016 20:13

Pleased to hear that you have them fitted now. When you say took 1 hour per rubber, did you not raise the rear of the car up as far as it would go using your car jack. I doubt that they will pop out, as you say, it has alreadt stiffened the rear end up. You will find it more comfortable towing the van,

 

nicko replied on 04/09/2016 20:14

Posted on 04/09/2016 20:14

soak them in hot water first and make sure the spring is fully extended makes life a lot easier, had them on my skoda superb,didnt cure all problems especially on speed bumps also travel as light as you can in towcar and keep an eye on noseweight

gygafo replied on 05/09/2016 10:48

Posted on 05/09/2016 10:48

Car was on stands with both rear wheels removed and the rubbers were boiled for 20 minutes and lots of washing up liquid was used. It took an hour to get each rubber pushed in and positioned... I'll not be doing it again, my hands and arms feel like they have been through a mangle this morning.

Think I might treat myself to a Kia Sportage in the new year! Smile

Cheers!
Nigel. 

EmilysDad replied on 05/09/2016 11:04

Posted on 05/09/2016 11:04

Car was on stands with both rear wheels removed and the rubbers were boiled for 20 minutes and lots of washing up liquid was used. It took an hour to get each rubber pushed in and positioned... I'll not be doing it again, my hands and arms feel like they have been through a mangle this morning.

Think I might treat myself to a Kia Sportage in the new year! Smile

Cheers!
Nigel. 

When replacing the rear coil springs on SWMBO's Astra  few years ago, it was a case of simply lowering the rear radius arm (suspension) with another trolly jack, after the rear shocker had been disconnected at the bottom. If the suspension had been lowered, then the the rubber might have gone in a bit easier ..... just a suggestion Laughing

gygafo replied on 11/09/2016 17:45

Posted on 11/09/2016 17:45

Just an update and a thank you for the advice.

We have just returned form 3 nights at Burrs Country Park Burry which was a real test for the car crossing the Pennines from Yorkshire and back and also on the cobbled road leading in and out of the CC site. The spring assisters have worked an absolute treat and the caravan towed effortlessly and felt very stable at 60 on the motorway. We are so impressed that we are no longer looking for a larger tow car or 4x4. Well impressed!

Cheers!
Nigel. 

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