check straps are they worth it

[MOTORSPORT_SAFETY]

Hi all

Having now manged to get the back axel on im at the point were im thinking about check straps as ill be going and buying a couple of bits for the back end on monday / tuesday so I can box the rear axle off.

Are check straps worth it on a series or are they there just to save the springs going the wrong way.

Setup of the vehicle is 109 with springs and shackles taken from a 6 Cyl and the shackles are the longer type.  The vehicle will be going off road and laneing and also used in forests for motorsport events the volvo just dosnt have the clearence  :lol:

All the best guys

Paul

[James.Harwood]

The check strap was originaly to protect the shock absorber i believe.
All they actualy do is reduce suspention travel

I do not think that they are worth it, if you have the lengthened shackles i would be supprised if you could get them on anyway.

[MOTORSPORT_SAFETY]

Hi James

Thanks for that mate I was inclinded to think the same to be honest and thinking about it now I think I got the uprated shocks when I brought them.

Thanks again im sure there will be lots of other daft questions in the next few weeks as im working away again on the project.

Paul

[defenderdan]

A few years ago a series 3 of mine was failed at mot for not having check straps fitted. I coudn't really see the reason for this but it was easier to fit them than to argue. The mot garage is a landrover specialist by the way.

[tomarse]

I couldnt fit check straps on my landy which has standard shackles and parabolics! - they wernt long enough, so you have no chance with differetn shackles.

Shouldnt be an MOT item, but i suppose its possible they could fail you for only having one or having a broken one?
Have chopped knackered ones off other trucks and never had any grief from the MOT.

[Rich_P]

Check straps were originally used on the rear axle because the rear suspension could give far great travel than the front.  However, the dampers on the rear axle did not have built in stops, so when at full articulation they could over extend and be damaged.

If you fit dampers with built-in stops, then you should have no problems going to full articulation.

[ian_s]

A few years ago a series 3 of mine was failed at mot for not having check straps fitted. I coudn't really see the reason for this but it was easier to fit them than to argue. The mot garage is a landrover specialist by the way.

in other words, they know they should be there so they wanted to charge you for fitting them.
a normal MOT place probably wont know they should be there, so dont realise they are missing

[Devon-Rover]

Too right. Check strpas if not fitted are not testable so therefore you cannot be failed. if they are frayed then they can be failed.

When i rebuilt mine i didn't put any check straps on the rear as i have aftermarket shocks which have internal bumpstops IIRC. This has helped the articulation to the point where it is quiet reasonble. Stranage thing is that the front's don't have check straps but i think the shocks still limit the travel. I might disconnect them and see if i can get more travel. if so extended shocks are going on. Must remeber to extend the break hoses too.  :shock:  

Here is a few piccies to illustrate the fact that check straps taken off can help articulation.







HTH

Rowan.