Anyone replace front springs lately?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Thanks,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
How is the ride and handling with the 500 lb spring? Compared to what you replaced? I need to replace mine and have considered the 500 lb set up. thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Jim
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Livonia MI
It's quite common for higher rate replacement springs to be shorter than the stockers out of the car. Judging from the pic's, the replacement wire size if definitely bigger than the originals. Just make sure these aren't marketed as lowering springs, if not what you're wanting. Unfortunately, some of these will change the ride height a bit anyway, so maybe have to cut a bit off, or add a a spacer on top. Your pic, also shows someone tried to put some band aid boosters in the originals.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 975
Likes: 108
From: Phoenix, AZ
It's quite common for higher rate replacement springs to be shorter than the stockers out of the car. Judging from the pic's, the replacement wire size if definitely bigger than the originals. Just make sure these aren't marketed as lowering springs, if not what you're wanting. Unfortunately, some of these will change the ride height a bit anyway, so maybe have to cut a bit off, or add a a spacer on top. Your pic, also shows someone tried to put some band aid boosters in the originals.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
It rides like the proverbial stonepile but is totally flat when cornering.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
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From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I bought 550# spring for my front. It lowered front about 1" and I love the ride. Others say ride it is too stiff, so it's realitive. How are the roads in your area? If roads are good, you should like. If roads are bad then it may beat you to death. Like others have already said, the shorter spring is SOOOOO much easier to install. I wrestled with getting the stock springs back in using a spring compressor. The 550s went right in -- no spring compressor needed.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: San Jose CA
Difference between the 460# and 550# is minimal. I've driven cars with the base setup (~300# front) and it's HUGE. The base cars ride very very smoothly. The 550# setups(gymkhana, ~550fr/300rr, a little variance depending on year and configuration) are more like a typical sports car. Not godawful, but firm and certain roads will upset you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
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From: Baldwinsville, NY
Moog 5758 sring webesite says; Coil Spring Dimensions:
OD 3.825 , wire dia. 0.656, install height 10.00, load 1400, spring rate 474, free height 12.94
I got mine from Summitt for about $50 when I did my front end. After the car was aligned it was a pleasure to drive. Smooth, lowered the ride height, no bounce, flat in the turnes and no tire nose.
The front end job should have been the second job on the car after brakes.
OD 3.825 , wire dia. 0.656, install height 10.00, load 1400, spring rate 474, free height 12.94
I got mine from Summitt for about $50 when I did my front end. After the car was aligned it was a pleasure to drive. Smooth, lowered the ride height, no bounce, flat in the turnes and no tire nose.
The front end job should have been the second job on the car after brakes.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Phoenix, AZ
[QUOTE=bhk2;1579925015]Here's my concern old v. new
after installation, the spring on left side is catching the frame and making unpleaseant noises. It iis seated correctly on lower ca, upper ca looks pretty close but not centering through hole.
Do I separate ball joint from steering knuckle to reset spring or is there another way to go?
Guessing that is why the previous spring had those spacers.
after installation, the spring on left side is catching the frame and making unpleaseant noises. It iis seated correctly on lower ca, upper ca looks pretty close but not centering through hole. Do I separate ball joint from steering knuckle to reset spring or is there another way to go?
Guessing that is why the previous spring had those spacers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
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From: Woodland California
When the lower is still loose put the shock on.
This will help center the spring and let you know all is well.
Ralph
Why does Summit say the MOOG 5758 will not fit a 75?
This will help center the spring and let you know all is well.
Ralph
Why does Summit say the MOOG 5758 will not fit a 75?
Last edited by Ralphbf; Mar 6, 2012 at 02:31 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
I replaced my gymkhana OEM front springs a few years ago with 550's 1 inch shorter than stock. The new springs lowered the front end about 1 inch which was great. The ride is very good even with the 550's especially with the Bilstein HD's in the front-by far the biggest improvement in ride besides totally soft springs would be shocks-Bilsteins-They dramatically improved the ride with the OEM springs. The other 2 BIG improvements to the ride and handling were:
1. BETTER tires than the crap 15's offered with the OEM rims. I run 255/45/17 SLP rims with ZR ultra high performance summer only tires.
2. All these cars need a front spreader bar between the upper control arms to stop frame flex which will dramatically improve the ride and handling-no more shaking on rough roads-This with 550 springs and Bilstein HD's along with 255/45/17 ZR tires! I use speedirects front spreader bar with the OEM mechanical fan.
I have a host of other items that are BIG mprovements over the OEM suspension both front and rear, and people who own C3's that have ridden in my car cannot believe that it rides like it does with a taut firm ride that is NOT jarring with outstanding handling.
Hope that helps!
1. BETTER tires than the crap 15's offered with the OEM rims. I run 255/45/17 SLP rims with ZR ultra high performance summer only tires.
2. All these cars need a front spreader bar between the upper control arms to stop frame flex which will dramatically improve the ride and handling-no more shaking on rough roads-This with 550 springs and Bilstein HD's along with 255/45/17 ZR tires! I use speedirects front spreader bar with the OEM mechanical fan.
I have a host of other items that are BIG mprovements over the OEM suspension both front and rear, and people who own C3's that have ridden in my car cannot believe that it rides like it does with a taut firm ride that is NOT jarring with outstanding handling.
Hope that helps!
Last edited by jb78L-82; Mar 6, 2012 at 10:28 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: San Jose CA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Woodland California
"2. All these cars need a front spreader bar between the upper control arms to stop frame flex which will dramatically improve the ride and handling-no more shaking on rough roads-"
What is this Front spreader bar your talking about?
Nice looking ride.. You have great taste.
Ralph
What is this Front spreader bar your talking about?
Nice looking ride.. You have great taste.
Ralph