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-   -   Composite Fibre Leaf Springs: Can they be used for off-roading? (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-technical/54767-composite-fibre-leaf-springs-can-they-used-off-roading-15.html)

Where do we get CFLs from in Bombay?
And if we call for more than one set at a time, will there be a discount?!

If I'm not mistaken, raj is *thinking about CFLs for the rear of his gypsy too..

I want to try before I buy...

I'll soon complete a year of CFL in the rear. My Jeep was the first SWB Jeep to have CFL. After taking couple of months get the setup right (I needed different U-bolts and shackles), I have been extremely pleased with the CFLs. People who ride my Jeep tell me it doesn't feel like a Jeep, it has a ride of a car. I see huge improvement in ride quality even while driving in hi-speed over pot hole ridden terrain.

But here comes the warning. The experience is not uniform. The well known rallyist Jagat Nanjappa has had a very different experience. He installed CFLs on his Willys couple months after me and his shackles stood perpendicular to the ground, while mine is in perfect angle from the day one. Because of the wrong angle, he had a pretty bad ride. So he returned them. He is a member here, do check with him if you want.

I have not heard of anyone that has regretted installing these at the rear in a Gypsy. Anyone out there with issues with the rear set?
I guess the only reason I haven't gone ahead is laziness - the Dr Nano person isn't particularly interested in going out of his way to sell the things.
I also suspect that just the rears will make a difference if they do the job they are supposed to. A lot of the hammering the back takes is because of the way the rear suspension pitches the car up and forward and if that can be tamed, the ride will improve a lot, with the OE steel set up retained in front.

I guess I spoke tooo soon :Frustrati. I broke the 3rd set this weekend in the Sowmerpet trail.

The front left leaf broke/snapped at the point where the rear joint is. I was reversing the tyre over a 2ft boulder and it could not take the compression (-ve compression force) applied. I don't know if the -ve camber ability of these is adequate. Also, once the front left broke, the front right also could not take load and started splintering.

Here are some pictures.










Yes. I agree.

Well, to be fair, in-spite of breaking 3 sets of front CFL's leafs, I am 100% satisfied with the rear CFL's and have had no issues with them (till now).

I guess the rear ones have a lot simpler thing to do and do not have to live with the stresses and pulls that the front ones have to. Adding to this the risk if the front set gives way at speed, installing them just at the rear seems to be the way to go.

Guru,
Neville has these installed in his gypsy - maybe he could give us a ride?!

i had sent a request to Dr Nano a couple of days back regd the availibility price and requested a call back. Havent heard anything yet.

@Imran - was just thinking of Neville. I think he has gone to Leh? I don't have his number - if you can call and get us an appointment to test his Gypsy and do a side-by-side comparison, will make the decision much easier.

Only interested in the CFL for the Rear suspension.

Khanbhai, If I remember rightly, all three front CFL which cracked are rightside. Am I correct? could there be any other reason like front right body structure? Just a layman's mind you know?

i got a revert from Dr Nano Inc. Got 4 JPG Images of what the product is but nothing on the price, availibility, mode of payment, how it would be delivered etc.

Shall call them up today.

I had the same response when I sent a mail to Dr Nano for my Project Nomad.

Then after 3-4 days, the honourable doctor (founder) called me up. He discussed at length about the CFLs, patiently answering all the queries I had on the product.

Of course, this can only happen if you've left your mobile no on your mail!:D

^^^
So what did you ask and what were the answers? Anything new?

Regards
Sutripta

Khan i guess CFL comes with warranty so did they replace it free of cost?

Did you ask him about this incident of front one breaking to him???

Btw whats the quote for a MM550 rear and if it avlb for front

Khan Saab, was there any similarity in the failure mode of the 3 broken CFL's (region where it broke, nature of breakage, did it start with a hairline crack etc). Can you post pics of the 3 failures side by side, it would be interesting if we could come out with something:). Any special observations from your side on when it actually failed in these three occasions?

Spike