[coil spring] got one out. need advice
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
[coil spring] got one out. need advice
Using all the hints given me a few days ago... I got one spring out.
here is a pic of it (note the black plastic "thingy" inbetween one of the coils)
is this an added piece, or factory ???
---------------
second question:
I intend to cut off 1/2 a turn of the coil for lowering. I notice the coil spring upper & lower pockets has an indented area for the very end of the coil wire to rest (pic of lower pocket - white circle is where spring end originally rested).
If I cut off 1/2 a turn, then the new end of the spring coil will be where the red circle is drawn, and there is no end indentation there. Is this O.K. to do ?
.
here is a pic of it (note the black plastic "thingy" inbetween one of the coils)
is this an added piece, or factory ???
---------------
second question:
I intend to cut off 1/2 a turn of the coil for lowering. I notice the coil spring upper & lower pockets has an indented area for the very end of the coil wire to rest (pic of lower pocket - white circle is where spring end originally rested).
If I cut off 1/2 a turn, then the new end of the spring coil will be where the red circle is drawn, and there is no end indentation there. Is this O.K. to do ?
.
Last edited by Mike Mercury; Feb 15, 2005 at 09:34 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: Atascadero Ca
It's a coil spring spacer for sure, could have been added to compensate for a sagging spring. More common on the big block, ac, ps, cars especially as they got older. Since you're taking them out why not upgrade to a set of vbp's, get your drop and increase your spring rate at the same time all for under 100 bucks?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
get your drop and increase your spring rate at the same time all for under 100 bucks?
)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Originally Posted by i885744
It's a coil spring spacer for sure, could have been added to compensate for a sagging spring. More common on the big block, ac, ps, cars especially as they got older. Since you're taking them out why not upgrade to a set of vbp's, get your drop and increase your spring rate at the same time all for under 100 bucks?
If you are going through all this...I would replace the springs. It's obvious that a spacer was added to "fix" the saging height. Go with the VPB's...to get the correct height. You can get replacement springs from the parts houses like Advance and Auto Zone for a few $ less.. but the coils are wound different and they ususally will raise the height of the car! I had these issues and had to cut the springs to get the correct height. Good Luck
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 405
Likes: 15
From: Minneapolis
According to the manual, the end of the coil is supposed to be visible in the hole. If you chop half a turn off the thing, things might not line up right between the top and bottom.
I agree with those who suggest you ditch the springs and pony up for a correct set. You'll be glad you did. The current coils are obviously already hurtin'.
I agree with those who suggest you ditch the springs and pony up for a correct set. You'll be glad you did. The current coils are obviously already hurtin'.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Come on man, show the car some love
her first car was a 1973 Javelin. She had the front lowered by a mechanic nd has loved the look ever since. I call it the " 70's muscle car stance".
Her 1973 Corvette sits level - but she just wanted it down a bit in front (maybe she's having her second childhood
)Look, if I could buy springs that would give the desired 3/4 to 1" drop - that I could install ONCE (and not have to do it 3 to 4 times to finally reach success) I'd seriously consider buyign new springs.
What are my chances of buying new springs and having the desired lowering achieved in the first re-assembly attempt ?
.
Last edited by Mike Mercury; Feb 16, 2005 at 12:00 AM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Easy fix it you just want to lower it. Take out the spacer. Down it comes.
I think a safe strategy would be to cut 1/2 a coil, and if that isn't enough I'll try removing the spacers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,502
Likes: 1,509
From: Little Rock AR
The spacer is an aftermarket band-aid for saggy springs.
The lowest hole in the very bottom of the a-frame spring pocket is probably just a water drain. The upper pocket is where the tail needs to be visible. Once you start cutting, you are on your own as to positioning but if it were mine, I would align with the upper pocket gauge hole.
-Mark
The lowest hole in the very bottom of the a-frame spring pocket is probably just a water drain. The upper pocket is where the tail needs to be visible. Once you start cutting, you are on your own as to positioning but if it were mine, I would align with the upper pocket gauge hole.
-Mark
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by 70 LS1
The only alignment that matters is the upper spring pocket. Just make sure the top is aligned.
Cut from the bottom part of the spring, align the spring in the upper pocket. Bottom doesn't matter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
The 460lbs springs will raise the front. The 550lbs springs seem to lower the front by 1" based on member's feedback..... I had to cut 3/4" coil off my 460lbs springs to get the height correct.
That plastic spacer has to come out, that's a bubba fix to get the front stiffer and maybe a little higher ...1/4" or so......
I have two original springs in my garage that I would sell... just in case you cut too much off yours...
That plastic spacer has to come out, that's a bubba fix to get the front stiffer and maybe a little higher ...1/4" or so......
I have two original springs in my garage that I would sell... just in case you cut too much off yours...
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
The springs sag...those spaces are installed to get the springs to factory height...i'm surprised only one per side, per spring...usually they are installed in pairs.
Don't waste your time on those springs...you will only end up taking them out again when you bottom out going over a bump.....
Don't waste your time on those springs...you will only end up taking them out again when you bottom out going over a bump.....
