Rear shocker upgrade

[raccoon]

Hi all, I am running a 406HDI 2ltr on a "V" reg. With this question I know I am going to get some stick but here goes. I tow a caravan with it and because of that I would like to upgrade the rear shockers a bit. I fancy fitting the ones that have a spring on them but if thats not possible just the type that are on it now. Although the car sits level and there is no wander at all when not towing, I feel as if the back end does pitch a bit when the caravan is on but loaded correctly. I dont want to use the rubber doughnut that goes in the coil spring because I think it puts pressure on the spring either side of where it sits. Any advice will be appreciated (apart from dont put the caravan on). Cheers everyone.

[406Iain]

My old man used to run his own Camping and Caravanning accessories shop and used to deal with a company called Monroe who did uprated dampers for towing things.Maybe theyre worth a look?

[raccoon]

Hi 406Iain, thanks for that. What I really want is some info about upgrading to the shockers with the springs on them, if anyone on here has used them or if they have used something different to help strenthen up the back end.

[omega]

i wonder if you could use estate springs?

[Welly]

I think your referring to coilovers bit I don't think they make them for the 406 (no demand) - I think the spring and damper are separate on the rear? can't remember.

You used to be able to get 'spring assister's' for towing - the dealers used to stock them but that was a while back.

[HimBigChief]

He's mentioned that he doesn't want to use spring assisters as they're the rubber rings he refers to. There are coilover kits available for the 406, but they're very scarce and expensive. I think KW may do one IIRC. Koni do some uprated adjustable sports shock absorbers, which may help a bit. But they're only adjustable off the car, so changing the stiffness would be annoying everytime you wanted to tow. I also don't think estate springs would offer a high enough spring rate to make much difference to the car while towing.

[raccoon]

Thanks everyone. I think I will just leave well alone then. I might change the main rear spring before the spring comes next year. The car itself has done 120,000 so I think they may be getting to that point anyway.

[bangernom1cs]

Ive seen a 406 which my mate had bought from a main dealer which had an extra small spring on each rear arm.
A small coil spring located inboard of the main spring seat.
He did say the ride was really firm.
T

[raccoon]

Hi bangernom, do you mean that the small spring is located inside the original coil spring. Sorry to sound thick (other half says I am).