Self-Levelling... How to tell?

BigJacko · 10th December 2007, 17:57

Hi all,

First, a quick hi to you all, because I am new here. I inherited my dad's pride and joy a few days ago, because sadly he passed away due to cancer last month. It's a small comfort to have his great car (but of course, I'd much rather have him back instead!).

Consequently, I'm quite 'green' when it comes to owning a Rover, and although I have been scouring the internet for the last few days almost solidly (and have learned much from you here and in another forum, for which I am very grateful), there are still a few things I'm not sure about.

F'rinstance... how can I tell whether dad's/my Rover 75 Tourer has self-levelling suspension? My mum reckons it has, but tbh, I'm not sure whether she's fully in the know (no disrespect, but you know what I mean, eh?

).

Is there a plate or something, or a giveaway item that I can see (without dismantling the car) that'll tell me?

Thanks in advance (and thanks again for all the useful info I've already picked up here... my initial worries about having a Rover have been somewhat allayed already!)

Regards
Neil

Mike · 10th December 2007, 18:44

1. Measure the height of the rear of the car from the ground using a convenient point.

2. Put something very heavy in rear of car

3. measure same point again - if it is around the same measure then you have self-levelling suspension.

hth

Mike

windrush · 10th December 2007, 18:51

I have it on my tourer as I specified it when it was being built but how to tell apart what Mike has just said I just dont know

windrush · 10th December 2007, 18:53

PS So sorry to hear about your dad but he has left you with a fine motor car

BigJacko · 10th December 2007, 19:07

Thanks guys - I will try that out when I can get it onto a flat area sometime (our road is a bit uneven and drops off noticeably towards the kerb). What to use for a heavy object? Hmm.... I'd better not ask the wife to lay down in the back, or I might end up joining my dad!

Ta for the kind words, by the way... I sincerely hope I can keep this car in the manner to which it's become accustomed when it lived with dad. It's a 52-plate, and only 26k on the clock, and nought but a slight ding in the rear bumper. Everything else seems perfect! Fingers crossed!

ragitty · 10th December 2007, 19:20

Welcome to a brilliant forum BigJacko, you have certainly inherited a fine vehicle although not in the way that you would have chosen, I dont have self levelling suspension on my car but had wondered how you can tell, well now I know, simple really, enjoy this forum, you will in due course make some wonderful friends.

BigJacko · 10th December 2007, 19:27

Thanks Raggity, I'm sure I will... I'm already feeling like this is perhaps the only place on earth where I could say: "I went outside just to sit in the car for ten minutes*" and not feel like a total sad-act!

I'm sure you chaps are well-used to your steeds by now... but me, I'm just getting used to it. After a 93-model Astra for the last few years (the wife's, not mine), the Rover is a 'step-up', and no mistake!

(*ok, to be fair, I did also go out cos I had to put another parking permit on it, and to see whether I had a CHMSL... which it turns out, I do! But, I still had to sit in it, start the V6 and go "ahhhhh" in a highly satisfied way, all the same!

)

GreyGhost · 10th December 2007, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJacko

Thanks Raggity, I'm sure I will... I'm already feeling like this is perhaps the only place on earth where I could say: "I went outside just to sit in the car for ten minutes*" and not feel like a total sad-act!

I'm sure you chaps are well-used to your steeds by now... but me, I'm just getting used to it. After a 93-model Astra for the last few years (the wife's, not mine), the Rover is a 'step-up', and no mistake!

(*ok, to be fair, I did also go out cos I had to put another parking permit on it, and to see whether I had a CHMSL... which it turns out, I do! But, I still had to sit in it, start the V6 and go "ahhhhh" in a highly satisfied way, all the same!

)

Welcome to the club.

EXMSRalph · 10th December 2007, 20:06

There will be a label on the fuel tank access plate under the rear seat that gives the spring type code. The self levelling springs are code RH (blue/brown).

Lovel · 10th December 2007, 21:39

Quicker check is to look in behind the rear wheel, and note where the damper mounts onto the bottom of the wishbone pan, At the point just above the mounting bolt, the diameter of a Rover fitted Nivomat self levelller is 48mm OD. The standard Rover fitted damper body is 42mm OD.

10th December 2007, 17:57	#1
BigJacko Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer 2.0 V6 Club (2002) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bath Posts: 236 Thanks: 47 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	Self-Levelling... How to tell? Hi all, First, a quick hi to you all, because I am new here. I inherited my dad's pride and joy a few days ago, because sadly he passed away due to cancer last month. It's a small comfort to have his great car (but of course, I'd much rather have him back instead!). Consequently, I'm quite 'green' when it comes to owning a Rover, and although I have been scouring the internet for the last few days almost solidly (and have learned much from you here and in another forum, for which I am very grateful), there are still a few things I'm not sure about. F'rinstance... how can I tell whether dad's/my Rover 75 Tourer has self-levelling suspension? My mum reckons it has, but tbh, I'm not sure whether she's fully in the know (no disrespect, but you know what I mean, eh? ). Is there a plate or something, or a giveaway item that I can see (without dismantling the car) that'll tell me? Thanks in advance (and thanks again for all the useful info I've already picked up here... my initial worries about having a Rover have been somewhat allayed already!) Regards Neil

10th December 2007, 18:44	#2
Mike This is my second home Rover 75 V8 Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,448 Thanks: 0 Thanked 206 Times in 32 Posts	1. Measure the height of the rear of the car from the ground using a convenient point. 2. Put something very heavy in rear of car 3. measure same point again - if it is around the same measure then you have self-levelling suspension. hth Mike __________________ Mike [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

10th December 2007, 18:51	#3
windrush This is my second home December 2004 Rover 75 2ltr CDTi Connoisseur SE HL Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aldershot Posts: 74,464 Thanks: 2,431 Thanked 3,015 Times in 2,347 Posts	I have it on my tourer as I specified it when it was being built but how to tell apart what Mike has just said I just dont know __________________ ][SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] My Pearl Black Beauty Best regards Lilian and Derek Club Member No. 96 / Forum User No. 111 REGISTRATION to the club as a member FREE, FULL MEMBERSHIP is £10 WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

10th December 2007, 18:53	#4
windrush This is my second home December 2004 Rover 75 2ltr CDTi Connoisseur SE HL Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aldershot Posts: 74,464 Thanks: 2,431 Thanked 3,015 Times in 2,347 Posts	PS So sorry to hear about your dad but he has left you with a fine motor car __________________ ][SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] My Pearl Black Beauty Best regards Lilian and Derek Club Member No. 96 / Forum User No. 111 REGISTRATION to the club as a member FREE, FULL MEMBERSHIP is £10 WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

10th December 2007, 19:20	#6
ragitty I really should get out more....... Jeep Cherokee Orvis Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Leicester Posts: 2,666 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Welcome to a brilliant forum BigJacko, you have certainly inherited a fine vehicle although not in the way that you would have chosen, I dont have self levelling suspension on my car but had wondered how you can tell, well now I know, simple really, enjoy this forum, you will in due course make some wonderful friends. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Dance like no-ones watching

10th December 2007, 19:07	#5
BigJacko Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer 2.0 V6 Club (2002) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bath Posts: 236 Thanks: 47 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	Thanks guys - I will try that out when I can get it onto a flat area sometime (our road is a bit uneven and drops off noticeably towards the kerb). What to use for a heavy object? Hmm.... I'd better not ask the wife to lay down in the back, or I might end up joining my dad! Ta for the kind words, by the way... I sincerely hope I can keep this car in the manner to which it's become accustomed when it lived with dad. It's a 52-plate, and only 26k on the clock, and nought but a slight ding in the rear bumper. Everything else seems perfect! Fingers crossed!

10th December 2007, 19:27	#7
BigJacko Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer 2.0 V6 Club (2002) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bath Posts: 236 Thanks: 47 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	Thanks Raggity, I'm sure I will... I'm already feeling like this is perhaps the only place on earth where I could say: "I went outside just to sit in the car for ten minutes" and not* feel like a total sad-act! I'm sure you chaps are well-used to your steeds by now... but me, I'm just getting used to it. After a 93-model Astra for the last few years (the wife's, not mine), the Rover is a 'step-up', and no mistake! (ok, to be fair, I did also go out cos I had to put another parking permit on it, and to see whether I had a CHMSL... which it turns out, I do! But, I still had to sit in it, start the V6 and go "ahhhhh*" in a highly satisfied way, all the same! )

10th December 2007, 20:06	#9
EXMSRalph Gets stuck in ZS180, MGF, Rover 400, MG Montego Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sittingbourne Posts: 534 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	There will be a label on the fuel tank access plate under the rear seat that gives the spring type code. The self levelling springs are code RH (blue/brown).

10th December 2007, 21:39	#10
Lovel I really should get out more....... P6B, L550, Imp, F56, Commando Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 2,886 Thanks: 352 Thanked 677 Times in 440 Posts	Self Leveller 48mm Vs Std Damper 42mm OD Quicker check is to look in behind the rear wheel, and note where the damper mounts onto the bottom of the wishbone pan, At the point just above the mounting bolt, the diameter of a Rover fitted Nivomat self levelller is 48mm OD. The standard Rover fitted damper body is 42mm OD.