Front Springs
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Front Springs
Purchased replacement springs for 1970 Vet that will lower car and has heavier spring tension. New springs will not fit in upper and lower stop at the same time. Two shops told me to just place in bottom stop and don't worry about the top. This goes against all tech manuals instructions. I can modify new springs to fit both ends by removing about a 2-3 inch piece. This will enable it to contact both stops.
COMMENTS or ADVICE?
COMMENTS or ADVICE?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,690
Likes: 2,572
are you using a spring compressor? If you use one you can reinstall the A arm to the spindle and then release compressor causing spring to fit top and bottom
Last edited by MelWff; Oct 12, 2010 at 05:25 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I would place in top pocket and forget bottom. At least to see how it impacts ride height before I start cutting. I'd hate to cut even a little off and find out it's barely too low. I installed 550# spring and to be honest I do not remember if bottom lined up. As you said, everything says line with top pocket. I'm not saying cutting that little off is bad, I would just be careful before I start cutting.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
You don't need to use a spring compressor with aftermarked one inch shorter 460 ro 550 pound springs. It's a waste of time and effort. Just have a floor jack and put the top of the spring in the pocket. Then compress enough to put the nuts on the ball joints.
We change Vette springs at the race track in a matter of minutes when we are out testing.
We change Vette springs at the race track in a matter of minutes when we are out testing.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
I would place in top pocket and forget bottom. At least to see how it impacts ride height before I start cutting. I'd hate to cut even a little off and find out it's barely too low. I installed 550# spring and to be honest I do not remember if bottom lined up. As you said, everything says line with top pocket. I'm not saying cutting that little off is bad, I would just be careful before I start cutting.
The Assembly Manual only references aligning the spring in the top pocket. I stuck a screwdriver in the inspection hole and butted the spring up against it - IIRC the end of the spring should cover ~1/2 of the inspection hole. Let the bottom of the spring sit wherever in the lower pocket. If you get the 550# spring aligned in the top pocket you will only have to compress it ~1" to get the nut on the upper ball joint.VB&P claims a 1" drop with the 550# springs. My front end is somewhat lighter with the aluminum radiator and all-aluminum engine so I ended up around stock height or slightly lower, but I am very happy with the ride height.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
The Assembly Manual only references aligning the spring in the top pocket. I stuck a screwdriver in the inspection hole and butted the spring up against it - IIRC the end of the spring should cover ~1/2 of the inspection hole. Let the bottom of the spring sit wherever in the lower pocket. If you get the 550# spring aligned in the top pocket you will only have to compress it ~1" to get the nut on the upper ball joint.VB&P claims a 1" drop with the 550# springs. My front end is somewhat lighter with the aluminum radiator and all-aluminum engine so I ended up around stock height or slightly lower, but I am very happy with the ride height.
Rick B.
Thoughts?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Rick B.
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Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Are these VB&P springs? I guess you could try turning the spring around to see if it seats better when inverted. If that isn't feasable or doesn't allow the spring to seat in the bottom pocket I would contact the vendor to see if they have any ideas. I'm going to have to take a look at the bottom pocket on my car now to see if things are seated OK, but the ride height is even and the car has driven fine all Summer with the VB&P 550# springs.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
The vendor performs service as well as sells parts. The mechanic said to align to the bottom stop. I contacted a local shop and they said do the same thing. I just don't like the spring not to be seated in both arms the way it was engineered to be. I can't locate the order sheet but I believe I got the same springs you have. I have a small block w/o air but may add air later.
This is just my personal opinion, but I don't trust a mechanic's or shop's opinions if they contradict the manual that was written by the engineers who designed the car.
Rick B.
