Vauxhall Combo 1.3cdti, handling improvement.

[MeldrewsMate]

Recently one of the rear springs broke on this van. In an attempt to improve the load carrying capability I fitted a pair of uprated springs, sold to me as 30% stronger than standard. As a result the standard awful understeer has been almost completely eliminated, at the expense of a slightly rougher ride.
There is still a small amount of understeer, so still easy to drive for the slow-to-react, but for me it makes roundabouts and corners much more enjoyable, so much so that I'm thinking of disconnecting the front anti-roll bar completely once the weather gets warmer, to see if a small amount of oversteer can be encouraged. Starting to enjoy cornering again!

Just thought I'd share that with you all, even those who will bleat on about 'modifications' and 'void insurance'.

 

[Burnerman]

Now that's a new one.....!
Sounds like the original springs were 'donald ducked' anyway. I wouldn't disconnect the anti roll bar though, the van would lean over like crazy on corners
Consider new shocks though.
Insurance issues or whatever are none of my business.
John

 

[ABCwarrior]

My van is supposed to have a payload capacity of 595kg? I doubt it's anything like that and have thought about some heavier duty springs too...

 

[Burnerman]

My little Bipper has the same payload, as did my Berlingo (600kg) .......I've no idea what the load actually was but the Berlingo was well down on its stops (torsion bar rear) but the Bipper fares better (coil sprung rear), each carrying the same size load of logs.
John