I attempted replacing the front coil springs on my vette.The removal went smoothly. How ever the installation did not. The springs I removed were 9 coils long. The new springs are two coils shorter. I put the tires on (w/o calipers, shocks, or stabilizer bar linkage) see if the ride height had changed. It did not. My only guess is that the springs are not properly seated. I bought these from Rock Auto back in 2005 and did not try to install them until today. The coils on either end had the same space between the coils whereas the stock springs one end off the spring's coils are tighter (the end that goes to the upper control arm pocket) Unknowingly I cut a half of coil off one end of the new springs a few months ago. When I removed the old springs I only removed the spindle from the upper ball joint. With all this said is it easier to be to install the springs and rotate the spring so the ends are lined up near each drain hole if I remove the spindle completely? I don't trust using a spring compresser. The service manual states either end must be plus/minus .12 -.38 from spring stop. Wtf does that mean? One would think with springs 2 coils shorter than the 9 coil stock springs the ride height would be lower. I'm pissed after spending all day working and the crap ain't sitting lower as it should. Suggestions please.

 

You have to make sure the springs are seated properly up in the frame pocket as well as the lower control arm.

Pull one out and look up in the hole. You will see where in the pocket the end of the spring has to line up with. Turn coil so it aligns properly. If it's lined up at the top it should be fine at the bottom as long as you get it in the pocket at all.


Height is going to depend on what the spring rate is along with length/number of coils. Plus cutting a coil off increases the rate to some degree. Any idea what you got?

JIM

 

The spring stop is the indentation where the ends of the springs should be placed.

A shorter stiffer spring will compress less than a weak old stock spring making ride heights roughly the same.

 

Not sure of the rate. The spring has 7 coils. I could see the hole where the end of the spring is supposed to go but the spring is much shorter than the 9 coil stock spring and the end does not reach the top until you jack up the control arm. Once jacked up I was unable to see the end of the spring let alone rotate it to get the end of the spring to the hole. I noticed before installing the springs I stood one up and noticed that it leans toward one side. Does that have anything to do with the orientation of the spring end fitting into the pocket with the end of it just at the drain hole? Also is it easier to put the spring in with the spindle completely removed?

 

That is interesting. I wonder will I have to cut off a coil and have 6 coil springs. Wonder if it will drop then.

 

Years ago i had the VB&P one inch shorter 550# front springs. They actually lowered the front end one inch as advertised

 

Stick a small screwdriver in the hole of the pocket to help find where the top of the spring should fit.

 

I've done different manufactures springs on different vettes. I recently did a set that the new spring ends were not cut in the correct places so you could only put the top or the bottom in the spring end detent. Anothe time I had a set of springs that came with the ends flat wound (Ends bent down)

So it didn;t matter how you put them in because they were made for a non detent setup

 

find a stock car racer with a spring checker, it won`t take 5 minutes to determine what poundage the new springs are.

 

This rookie is wondering if the ends of the new springs are "in-line" with each other......

Or........are the spring ends 45 degrees or 90 or 180 degrees from from each other...

How do the ends of the old springs look compared to the new ones....can you post pics of old and new side by side?

The way the spring ends are indexed could definitely affect the ride height.......and cutting a coil off an already shortened spring could cause a very stiff ride.


(I cut 20 year old springs on my custom truck.....they were weak to begin with, but after cutting them at the correct spot(index), they went into place correctly/firmed the front suspension up perfectly/lowered the front tire clearance the 3" that I desired)

Hang in there......things can still be corrected!

(Also......after installing the springs the car should be driven around the block to let the front suspension settle into place......

BUT, I realize that you have the calipers off.........

The next best way to get the wheels/suspension to settle is to stack two pieces of "sheet-type plastic" OR stack two sheets of thin metal sheets under each tire so when the wheels are lowered onto the concrete, they can "slide" on the sheets and "find" the spot that they would normally settle to.

 

Six or ten loose pieces of shiny magazine paper under each wheel will accomplish the same thing.

 

That's the easiest way to do it. The Assembly Manual only talks about aligning the spring in the upper pocket. It doesn't mention anything about the lower pocket. It's unlikely that aftermarket springs would align with both pockets anyway.

The spring doesn't just raise vertically into the upper pocket. You have to nudge it over with a pry bar as it is being raised. If you don't do that it can appear to be in the right place when it is just wedged into the side of the surround, and the ride height will be higher than expected.



Rick B.

 

I cut a coil off and the ride height looks right. The vehicle has the rake I was trying get with the staggered wheel/tire combo. I will attempt to post pics.

 

Line the springs up with the bottom hole. You can see them and that will make sure they re both in the same position. You need to drive or roll the car at least 15 feet so the suspension wi settle. Then you can tell if it's lower. I'm sure with the springs you describe it will be lowered some.

 

e-mail me the pics and I could post them

 

Trust me. It is 2 inches lower (28" now 26") It may lower further once driven.

 

Have pics on phone (samsung s4) how do I send via email?

 

From another thread:

To install, the tighter coils go to the top and stick a short bolt temporarily into the upper guide hole and butt the end of the spring against it. After assembly unscrew the bolt. That will automatically align the bottom and leave the drain hole open.
HD springs have evenly spaced coils and can go either way.



Here is a thread that may be helpful

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...l-springs.html

And they usually do lower when driven or rolled a bit.

 

I sent you e-mail this morning. You have to set up your phone for your e-mail and you add the images to the outgoing email recipient.

 

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