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Hey guys, normally I wouldn't have a concern, replaced many front end springs in my life but never seen such a difference in length from the stock springs to the replacement springs, the stock springs I just removed are about 3" linger than the replacement 475lb springs I have and the part number shows correct, is this common and will with spring rating make up the difference
Last edited by Golfobsessed; Feb 19, 2023 at 08:44 PM.
Reason: Typo
Done, based on prior spring replacements and feedback from this group I knew the replacement springs would sit a bit higher than I wanted and didn't want to keep installing and measuring if possible... I took just about 1/2 coil off (maybe just shy of a half coil) and split the difference between top and bottom of the spring to start with and sits where I want it... would have been too high for sure for me.
Lots of discussions on the forum regarding springs. After market are heavier coils and thus the spring rate may or may not let your car sit correctly, normally the issue is with after market springs it sits too high. Some guys need to cut coils to get desired high.
I am sure there are some out there that give the correct height.
I tend to stick with the oem springs.
Joe
Lots of discussions on the forum regarding springs. After market are heavier coils and thus the spring rate may or may not let your car sit correctly, normally the issue is with after market springs it sits too high. Some guys need to cut coils to get desired high.
I am sure there are some out there that give the correct height.
I tend to stick with the oem springs.
Joe
thanks Joe, found some older threads and appears the 3" difference is pretty common, just got one side done, heading to the other. Thanks again
Done, based on prior spring replacements and feedback from this group I knew the replacement springs would sit a bit higher than I wanted and didn't want to keep installing and measuring if possible... I took just about 1/2 coil off (maybe just shy of a half coil) and split the difference between top and bottom of the spring to start with and sits where I want it... would have been too high for sure for me.
Done, based on prior spring replacements and feedback from this group I knew the replacement springs would sit a bit higher than I wanted and didn't want to keep installing and measuring if possible... I took just about 1/2 coil off (maybe just shy of a half coil) and split the difference between top and bottom of the spring to start with and sits where I want it... would have been too high for sure for me.
I had the same problem with front coil springs. Couldn't get the ride height I wanted. Must have taken the springs in and out a few times. After ruining a set of springs I bought coil overs and set it where i wanted it.
I had the same problem with front coil springs. Couldn't get the ride height I wanted. Must have taken the springs in and out a few times. After ruining a set of springs I bought coil overs and set it where i wanted it.
I did consider that but didn't want to modify too much as the car is pretty original. There is a rule of thumb when cutting springs... free height spring cut gives twice the drop so 1/2" spring height cut gives 1" drop and worked perfect first time, took about a 1/4 coil off each end of the spring before installing, sits exactly where I want it, matches the rear and no difference in the ride at all... took it out for a while and measures 27.5" on all four corners, I got lucky.
I purchased two sets of springs (I have a friend who works for an auto parts house so wasnt expensive) just in case I went too far.
When I switched to 550s, it lowered the front of the car a bit, but not enough. I don't want to mess with the coil angle if I cut them, so when I take them out again, it will be to install semi coil-overs. It sounds like you got very lucky.
Here are the two springs (the long one is the original, 80 L48 4-speed)
When I switched to 550s, it lowered the front of the car a bit, but not enough. I don't want to mess with the coil angle if I cut them, so when I take them out again, it will be to install semi coil-overs. It sounds like you got very lucky.
Here are the two springs (the long one is the original, 80 L48 4-speed)
I've always used that "half length to drop" and it's always been pretty accurate, i was a bit surprised on the replament springs to originals length difference (same as yours above) so was a bit reluctant to cut.
Did it have a full tank of gas when you measured the Rear height?
Just wondering if the rear sits lower than the front after filling up.
I didn't really take notice of the rear height and gas tank level... the above pics are with about 5/8ths of a tank, pretty even all around, standing at a side profile there is about the same wheel well gap all around.
Wow. I’m usually a factory rally wheel look type of guy but those TT IIs look awesome. They like gray with polished rim?
What size wheels and tires ?. Backspace front and rear?
After 30 years maybe I need to swap out my rally’s.
Wish I could offer help on the springs I replaced mine years ago with Moogs height more or less stayed the same. Good luck.
thanks... springs worked out perfect.
I originally purchased a Torq Thrust wheel package from "wheelsforless" as a C3 package... what a disaster that was, wrong wheels all together and was a bad experience.
I went to Discount tire and purchased the correct Torq Thust wheels 15x8 gray low gloss center with machine finish outer lip, 3.79 backspace (-18mm offset) VN2155861us is the part number and 255/60/15 tires, actually cheaper than the "wheelsforless" package at just a bit over $1500 for everything mounted and balanced out the door.
Discount even mounted one to let me take home and check clearance.
Thanks for the detailed response that includes part numbers. Those TT IIs and side pipes in orange give your car a racer look. Looks awesome. Thanks again.
Front spring replacement
