Coil Spring question

[mitsuru]

As I am changing the rear suspension setup on my car,
I am in need of some replacement springs for the rear
struts. The new springs although for the rear of the
car will need to be as strong as those for the front
of a car, this is due to the car being fitted with an
LPG tank in the spare wheel well. And the space saver
spare wheel being replaced with a full sized wheel as
a spare. Add the fact the car is fitted with a towbar,
she will be used as a real work horse!

So the springs will need to be strong enough to support
this and not bottom out at the slightest bump in the
road.

Picture of new strut with old one and the upper strut
mount so you know what type of springs with the right
or similar ends to suggest.



Here are some measurements made before my back went so
I won't be going near the car for a few days!

To get the car sills level with the ground with a
distance of 7 inches (17.8 cm)

The spring was compressed to 7 inches (17.8 cm) between
the metal plate of the strut and the top of the upper
strut mount.

When the car was jacked up with the wheels off the ground
the distance between the metal plate of the strut and the
top of the upper strut mount was 9.5 inches (24.1cm).

So springs either for the rear of a larger heavier car or
from the front of a small/medium car

I was thinking front springs off a mk6-7 escort or front
springs off a 307 pug(02) but can't get measurements or
specs on the web

So info and possible alternatives please.

[dodgerover]

You used to be able to buy duty heavy duty (towing) versions of most springs off the shelf, might be worth checking with your local motor factors

[mitsuru]

Unfortunately my car is American made so I have been lucky with Sewells in Billingham 7
who are like the old school parts shops and can usually sugest or find alternatives.
But this is a little out of there league!

Hence I am asking here.

[BenzBoy]

In my opinion the car is designed to cope with four or five passengers, a boot full of luggage and a tank full of fuel, so I wouldn't think an LPG tank and a full size spare would bother it at all! Some spring assisters would help with the towing but that's as far as I would go, personally.

[mitsuru]

Let me just say I was told on the usa owners forum
that the bean counters were responsible for some of
the problems the neon mk1 suffered.
Cheap cylinder head gaskets being one of the bigger
problems which resulted in a change in supplier after
a couple of years. The bean counters were responsible
for the inadequate rear springs.

Before I even put the lpg tank in the boot of the car
used to bottom out going over a bump with just my
brother in the back and the boot empty.I had till
recently mk2 neon springs fitted which coped with all
the weight and towing but were too tall which ment they
over pulled the strut.

Which is why I am looking for a suitable UK available
alternative.