Overview About Land Rover Coil Springs and Kits
Springs support the vehicle's body, chassis and carried load, set its standing ride height and let the wheels move over rough ground, while the shock absorbers control that movement and help keep the tyres in contact with the surface. A tired spring sags, drops the ride height, upsets the geometry and lets the vehicle bottom out over bumps, so a spring that has settled or cracked is worth replacing before it takes the ride quality and the tyres with it. This page groups the full spring range: front and rear coil springs in standard, heavy-duty and off-road ratings, road springs, the rear springs used with a Boge self-levelling unit, lift kits, spring seats, isolators, retainers, spacers and dislocation cones, sitting within the wider Land Rover axle, suspension and steering system.
It covers coil-sprung Defender, Discovery and Range Rover models, plus the leaf and parabolic springs used on the earlier live-axle Series vehicles, which never ran coils. Where a Range Rover or Discovery came on factory air suspension, an air-to-coil conversion kit swaps that system for conventional coils, and those kits live here; the air springs and compressors they replace are in Air Suspension. Damping is a separate job from the spring, so pair any spring work with a check of the matching shock absorber.
Buying Guide Choosing the Right Spring
Start with the standing ride height you want. A standard-height spring restores the factory stance and is the right choice for a road vehicle that has simply sagged with age. A heavy-duty or constant-load spring suits a vehicle that regularly carries weight or runs permanent front-end load such as a winch or bull bar, holding the ride height under that extra mass. It holds the stance under load but does not raise the vehicle's rated payload, axle ratings or towing limits. An off-road or lift spring raises the standing ride height, commonly by around 2 inches, to improve body and chassis clearance. Usable wheel travel and articulation depend on the complete suspension setup rather than the spring alone, and a lift changes more than just the spring, so plan the rest of the setup around it.
Match the spring to the axle end and side. Front and rear springs differ in rate and length, and some Land Rover springs are handed or colour-coded to a specific corner, so check the part number and any colour marking against your vehicle rather than fitting by eye. Springs should always be replaced as an axle pair so the vehicle sits level and handles evenly.
Genuine, OEM and aftermarket. Genuine springs carry the Land Rover part number and match the factory rate and ride height exactly. OEM or OES springs come from original-equipment manufacturers or recognised OE suppliers, and brands such as Lesjofors, Eibach and Allmakes OE may appear as OE, OES or aftermarket depending on the specific item. Aftermarket also covers the value ranges and the off-road specialists such as Terrafirma and Old Man Emu, whose heavy-duty and raised springs are built for load and lift rather than to copy the factory rate. For a standard road repair an OEM or OES spring at the correct rate is the sensible balance; choose an off-road brand only when you actually want the changed height or load behaviour it gives.
Workshop Tip Raising ride height with lift springs often means more than the spring itself. Depending on the model, lift height and damper specification, a lift may call for matching or longer shock absorbers so the damper keeps its travel, and revised brake hose or ABS wire routing so nothing pulls tight at full droop. On live-axle vehicles a larger lift can also warrant castor correction to keep the steering feeling right. Extended-travel rear setups designed to let the coil unseat use a dislocation cone to guide it back onto its seat. Check every hose and wire at full droop and full compression, and plan the whole setup before ordering a single spring.
Fitment Model Fitment Scope
The table groups models by spring type so you can see which parts apply. Confirm the exact spring by VIN or build, since ride height, load rating and factory suspension type all change the correct part number.
| Model group | Spring type | Notes |
| Series 1, 2, 2A, 3 | Semi-elliptic leaf springs, front and rear; parabolic leaf upgrade available | Leaf-sprung live axles, never coil. Parabolic springs use fewer, tapered leaves for a softer ride than the standard multi-leaf pack |
| Land Rover 90, 110, 130 and Defender (1983 to 2016) | Coil springs front and rear | Coil-sprung from launch. Sold as 90, 110 and 130 before the Defender name arrived in 1990. Heavy-duty and lift springs widely used |
| Discovery 1 (1989 to 1998) | Coil springs front and rear | Conventional rear coils, assisted by a separate Boge self-levelling strut on some models. Often changed to heavy-duty coils if the Boge unit is removed |
| Discovery 2 (1998 to 2004) | Coil springs, or rear Self-Levelling Suspension (SLS) using rear air springs, by market and spec | Air-to-coil conversion kits available for SLS air-sprung vehicles. Confirm setup by VIN |
| Range Rover Classic (1970 to 1996) | Coil springs front and rear | Coil-sprung through most of production. Electronic air suspension introduced on the LSE in 1992 and offered on certain late models; conversion back to coil is common |
| Range Rover P38 (1994 to 2001) | Electronic air suspension (EAS) as standard; air-to-coil conversion kits available | Coil conversion is a popular fix for failed air systems. Confirm current setup by VIN |
| Discovery 3 and 4 (2004 to 2016) | Air suspension on many versions; certain market and specification variants on coil springs | Confirm the original suspension type by VIN. Coil parts here; air springs and compressors in Air Suspension |
| Later air-sprung Range Rover and Sport | Factory air suspension | Air springs, struts and compressors in Air Suspension. Conversion availability varies by chassis, confirm before ordering |
Compatibility Confirming the Right Spring for Your Vehicle
Work from the build date and VIN rather than the model year alone, since spring specification changes with ride height, load rating and factory suspension type across a model's life. Check whether your vehicle left the factory on coil springs, leaf springs or air suspension before choosing, because a coil conversion kit and a replacement coil spring are different purchases. Note the axle end, the side, and any colour code or part number marked on the existing spring, as many Land Rover springs are handed or rate-specific to one corner. If the vehicle carries permanent extra weight from a winch, bumper or towing use, factor that into the rate you choose so the ride height holds under load.
Fitting Common Fitting Notes
- Replace springs as an axle pair so the vehicle sits level and handles evenly. A new spring on one side and a settled one on the other pulls the stance off.
- Inspect the spring seats, isolators and retainers when fitting new springs, and replace any that are worn, perished or corroded. A perished rubber isolator lets the spring knock against its seat and is a common source of a clonk over bumps.
- Check the shock absorbers whenever you change springs. New springs on tired dampers ride poorly, and a raised spring can pull a standard damper past its travel.
- On extended-travel or lifted setups, confirm brake hose and ABS wire length at full droop, and where the design allows the rear coil to unseat, fit dislocation cones so the spring relocates cleanly and does not jump its seat.
- Support the axle safely and release spring tension in a controlled way. A compressed coil or a leaf pack under load holds serious energy.
- Book a wheel alignment and check castor after any lift, since raising the ride height changes the suspension and steering geometry.
Important Springs hold large amounts of stored energy. Support the vehicle on axle stands, release spring tension under control, and never work under a vehicle held up only by a jack. Replace springs in axle pairs and confirm brake hose length and geometry after any ride-height change.
Technical Guides Related Technical Reading
Defender 300Tdi Faults, Fixes and Upgrades
Workshop guide to the coil-sprung 300Tdi Defender, including suspension wear points and sensible upgrade paths.
Defender 300Tdi suspension upgrades Discovery 1 200Tdi Faults, Fixes and Upgrades
Common faults and upgrade options for the coil-sprung Discovery 1 200Tdi, covering springs, dampers and ride height.
Discovery 1 200Tdi suspension guide Defender 90 Maroc Challenge Prep
Desert-rally preparation for the Defender 90, including lift springs, suspension setup and the spares worth carrying.
Defender 90 lift and suspension setup Related Categories Related Suspension & Steering Parts
FAQ Land Rover Coil Spring FAQs
How do I know if my Land Rover coil springs need replacing?
The usual signs are a sagging or uneven ride height, one corner sitting low, the vehicle bottoming out over bumps it used to absorb, or a knock from the spring area over rough ground. A cracked or broken coil is an immediate replacement. Because springs settle gradually with age and load, compare the ride height side to side and against the factory figure, and replace as an axle pair rather than a single spring.
Should coil springs be replaced in pairs?
Yes. Replace springs as an axle pair, both fronts or both rears together, so the vehicle sits level and handles evenly. Fitting one new spring against a settled one on the other side pulls the stance off and can make the vehicle lean or track unevenly. Inspect the springs on the other axle at the same time and replace them where their condition or ride height warrants it.
Do Series Land Rovers use coil springs or leaf springs?
Series 1, 2, 2A and 3 vehicles are leaf-sprung front and rear and never used coil springs. A parabolic spring is a leaf-spring upgrade that uses fewer, tapered leaves in place of the standard multi-leaf pack, so each leaf flexes more independently for a softer ride and better articulation. The exact leaf count varies by axle and load rating. These leaf and parabolic springs are included in this collection alongside the coil springs used on later models.
What else do I need to fit a suspension lift kit?
A lift often needs more than the spring. Depending on the model, lift height and damper specification, it may call for matching or longer shock absorbers so the damper keeps its travel, and revised brake hose or ABS wire routing so nothing pulls tight at full droop. On live-axle vehicles a larger lift can also warrant castor correction to keep the steering right. Extended-travel rear setups designed to let the coil unseat use a dislocation cone to guide it back onto its seat. Check the hoses and wiring at full droop and full compression, and plan the complete setup before ordering.
Can I convert Land Rover air suspension to coil springs?
Yes, on several air-sprung models such as the Range Rover P38, late Range Rover Classic and Discovery 2, an air-to-coil conversion kit replaces the air system with conventional coil springs and the parts to mount them. It is a popular fix for a failed or leaking air setup. A conversion removes the automatic levelling and adjustable ride-height functions and may need electronic configuration or an emulator to clear dashboard warnings, and it changes the vehicle from its original specification, so check local registration, inspection and insurance requirements before converting a road vehicle. The conversion kits sit in this collection, while the air springs, struts and compressors themselves are in the Air Suspension collection. Confirm your vehicle's current setup and the correct kit by VIN before ordering.
What is the difference between genuine, OEM and aftermarket springs?
Genuine springs carry the Land Rover part number and match the factory rate and ride height exactly. OEM or OES springs come from original-equipment manufacturers or recognised OE suppliers, and brands such as Lesjofors, Eibach and Allmakes OE may appear as OE, OES or aftermarket depending on the specific item. Aftermarket also covers value ranges and off-road specialists such as Terrafirma and Old Man Emu, whose heavy-duty and raised springs are built for load and lift rather than to copy the factory rate.
Technical content by the Budget Parts workshop team.
