Suspension queries for ARC regs

[V8James]

Hi all, after having at look at regs all i can find on suspension is what is copied below
Is that saying that only genuine land rover springs + shocks may be used or can we use aftermaket?
Cheers
James

C.5. SUSPENSION & AXLES.
C.5.1. Any Land Rover suspension system and components may be used on any model and the suspension mounts modified to accommodate the components, the use of air suspension is prohibited except in classes and periods where fitted as original equipment.

C.6. DAMPERS.
C.6.1. Additional dampers may be fitted.

[Karl Reilly]

James,

On the face of it, a simple question with a simple answer.

If you want to take off your stock springs and fit a like for like aftermarket version you can. Eg, remove cruddy old LR leaf spring and fit Rocky Mountain parabolics, or remove the stock coil and put a comparable Bearmach component in its place. The key here is that the mounting points are all in the same place as the original.

Similarly, with the shocks. There does, however, seem to be far more scope with shocks when you look at some of the more serious vehicles in events. Mounting points can be moved, length & strength are completely variable and even quantity is variable. Basically, you just need to have at least one at each end of each axle.

However, if you want to change the design of the suspension, the answers are far less clear, and I would advise that you contact one of the scrutineers for a more definitive answer.


Hope that helps.

[James_Hartley]

Short answer:
Yes aftermarket springs and shocks are allowed.

Longer answer:

Section C relates to Modified Vehicle classes, and as I understand it is an extension of the Standard Vehicle Class Regulations (Section . The releveant sections of which are:

------------------------------
B.9.2. Any make of suspension springs may be used but they shall be the same type as those fitted as standard for that model. (See B.20. “Use of non-Rover parts”).

B.10.1. Dampers are free

B.20. NON-ROVER PARTS
B.20.1. The following non-Rover design items may be fitted (subject to limitations elsewhere in these rules):-
a ) Wheels, tyres, steering wheel, seats, seat belts, mirrors.
b ) Service items (ignition components, filters etc)
c ) Bull-bars, entry steps, lens guards, roof-racks, tow-bars, extra lamps / lights (spot, fog, etc.), winches.

-------------------------------
So it appears that any make of spring is acceptable, provided it is to a specification of a spring used in a Land Rover application. I'm not sure how the reference to section 20 is relevant, as it doesn't mention springs. Might be worth an email to the ALRC to clarify the rule. I believe their intention is that you can buy an aftermarket spring provided it is a spring rate that was at some stage in production. i.e using a soft discovery spring on a 110 would be ok, but using a custom made spring that is lighter or heavier than the range ever produced would be unacceptable.

This is of course unenforceable, as most sensible spring rates are indistinguishable to the naked eye, and also change with age. I would suggest that any coil spring that looks the part would usually be acceptable.

Dampers: "Additional Dampers may be fitted" suggests that any design of damper may be fitted, in addition to the original dampers, or at least an aftermarket equivalent of an original damper. In practice, there are a lot of vehicles out there that have fitted additional aftermarket dampers, and removed the originals completely, without complaint from ALRC scrutineers. For some reason this rule does not seem to be enforced, quite why the regulation is not reworded, or the rule enforced escapes me. These inconsistencies are symptomatic of an association run by people that are doing their work for free in their spare time, and just don't get round to ironing all the problems out.

[V8James]

Ah, i must have missed that bit, cheers
Am I also right in thinking the use of relocation cones is allowed too?
James

[James_Hartley]

As far as I know (although I can't seem to find it in the rules now), relocation cones are not permitted. Personally I think they are of dubious value, since if the spring has no load on it, then the tyre won't have much weight on it either (1/2 unsprung axle weight), so you won't get much traction from it.

[gbh1024]

But they're excellent at stopping the spring coming out!

[James_Hartley]

My point is that you retain the springs at both ends, and don't bother with the cones.

[gbh1024]

Doesn't that limit the suspension or body travel like retention straps? If that wheel is in the air it spins, if it is in ground contact it doesn't?