[C2] Variable Rate Spring
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 778
Likes: 112
From: Redneck Riviera, FL
Variable Rate Spring
is it possible to identify a 3851100 variable rate spring while installed and also to tell if it's the right end up? from reading multiple threads hear i found one by johnz which noted that the more closely spaced coils go up and that there is a notch identifying the lower end. while installed it's hard to see if the some of the coils are closer than others and i can't find the notch. thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,050
Likes: 545
From: Sun Prairie WI
is it possible to identify a 3851100 variable rate spring while installed and also to tell if it's the right end up? from reading multiple threads hear i found one by johnz which noted that the more closely spaced coils go up and that there is a notch identifying the lower end. while installed it's hard to see if the some of the coils are closer than others and i can't find the notch. thanks.
Jeff
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 778
Likes: 112
From: Redneck Riviera, FL
thanks guys, this is all great info. there's no way i'd be able to see that notch with the spring installed and half the coils are up in the spring/shock tower and so they're hard to see. i brought this up because i just replaced my 57 year old control arms with global west units and now the wheel arch lip is about an 1 1/2" higher than it was. global west assures me that in all critical dimensions their control arms are identical to factory so they insist that's not the problem. so now i'm trying to figure out why it sits higher. after reading the johnz threads i now know that the spring has a top and bottom. have to say if the coils are closer together i didn't notice it. one other point from those threads: the upper bitter end of the coil is supposed to be indexed 3/8" before the stop. i didn't do that, it's right up against the stop. so the question is, could either or both of these things be responsible for my ride height problem. thanks again.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 92
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
thanks guys, this is all great info. there's no way i'd be able to see that notch with the spring installed and half the coils are up in the spring/shock tower and so they're hard to see. i brought this up because i just replaced my 57 year old control arms with global west units and now the wheel arch lip is about an 1 1/2" higher than it was. global west assures me that in all critical dimensions their control arms are identical to factory so they insist that's not the problem. so now i'm trying to figure out why it sits higher. after reading the johnz threads i now know that the spring has a top and bottom. have to say if the coils are closer together i didn't notice it. one other point from those threads: the upper bitter end of the coil is supposed to be indexed 3/8" before the stop. i didn't do that, it's right up against the stop. so the question is, could either or both of these things be responsible for my ride height problem. thanks again.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 778
Likes: 112
From: Redneck Riviera, FL
mashinter, i hear ya, i'm just trying to get my ducks lined up for my conversation with global west. at this point i'm grasping at straws. as far as settling goes the global west units don't use rubber bushings. they use something called del-a-lum, they function like rod ends or bearings. and the coil springs are original and are probably as compressed as they are going to get.