Vehicle Springs Install Upside Down

[matthewb0051]

Just throwing this out to get temperature and perspective:

Both my kids have 20yo Land Rover Discovery 2. I've had a couple and love them.

I was noticing now that both are home for summer that one sits with a rake while the other is totally level. Both used to have rear air suspension and both have been converted to coil springs in back.

On the truck with the rake I noticed two things that was done by the genius doing the conversion:
1. They used Discovery 1 lower spring mounts which give the truck a near 1" lift in rear. The Discovery 2 mounts are more deep dish.

2. It appears that they installed the springs upside down as the more tightly wound part of spring is at top when it should be on bottom.

So: could adding this 'lift' at rear cause the front to compress slightly? It is down by about 1cm. Secondly, could installing the spring upside down cause a bit of lift and/or F with the ride? Finally, how dangerous is this to have a rake and lift at one end while normal at front?

Luckily the kid isn't driving if for the rest of the summer and I have some time to rectify.

The joys of buying on secondary market after PO took vehicle to Jimmy Jo Bob and Slim for work on a non-traditional vehicle (read Chevy/Ford).

[908/930]

I don't think there is a real difference in function with the spring one way or the other. 1 inch over 8' wheel base should not really change steering geometry.

[RANDY P]

Can they hear the springs? Installed upside down I'd imagine it would be noisy as hell

rjp

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

Can they hear the springs? Installed upside down I'd imagine it would be noisy as hell

rjp

TBH - I doubt she would know it if it were loud. I'll be surprised if both kids aren't on hearing aids by age 40 with the loud usage of ear buds.

But when I drive it the rear fold up seats do tend to rattle a bunch.

In fairness to whomever did this nonsense; the truck is a 1999 which was a crossover year from the Discovery 1 to Discovery 2 and it is a very early month production. So I'm sure Jimbob thought he was doing right and didn't appreciate the difference.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by 908/930

I don't think there is a real difference in function with the spring one way or the other. 1 inch over 8' wheel base should not really change steering geometry.

In comparison with the other one and my P38 Range Rover, this one tends to wander on the road. Not nearly as planted. Yes, alignment is correct.

[908/930]

Do they have the same rims and tires? Loose bushings in the suspension?

[matthewb0051]

I swung by my Indy LR mechanic. For sure the perches are wrong which accounts for close to 1" in back.

Big discovery was the front springs were sagging and past sell by date. Ordering now.

So with new springs in front and lower back with correct perches this thing should be level soon.