Adding a coil spring spacer
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 260
Likes: 73
From: MN
Adding a coil spring spacer
I have tried a couple different coil springs up in my '79 and none gave me the height I was looking for. Some too high, some too low. I decided instead to add an aluminum spacer from Global West to the bottom of the spring that is a little low in hopes of getting the exact raise I want. My question is with a thru the spring spring compressor will I be able to compress the spring enough to slide the spacer in without taking everything apart? Thanks for your time
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 406
Likes: 46
From: Lebanon OH
I doubt it. There is not a lot of room between the shock tower and the springs, and I don't think you cam compress the spring enough to get past the lower lip of the tower (but I've not tried). Obviously, the compressor shaft will be in the way to put it in the bottom. I've not had good experience with through spring compressors gripping coils at the ends of the spring. Usually the shock tower or lower control arm get in the way. Sometimes, as you compress the spring, the compressor shaft angle changes and your socket ends up mashed against the hole in the lower control arm. The only remedy I've found is repositioning the "hooks" lower on the coil, which means less over all spring compression.
Just bite the bullet and disconnect the upper control arm, then you can put it either on the top or bottom. BTW...I hate messing with compressed springs. They probably have more stored energy than a bullet. Good luck and be careful!
MajD
Just bite the bullet and disconnect the upper control arm, then you can put it either on the top or bottom. BTW...I hate messing with compressed springs. They probably have more stored energy than a bullet. Good luck and be careful!
MajD
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Jim, had you considered starting with a spring 'too long' and trimming it to get to the ride height you're looking for. I've done that in the past and found it to be a successful way to achieve a desired ride height. Yes it will affect spring rate, but if you're cutting 1 coil or less it shouldn't make a big difference.
I started with the FE7, Gymkhana front springs that lowered my non-FE7, '73 about an inch from stock. To get both sides equal, I trimmed less than a quarter of a coil to get them both the same.
Here's a thread that goes into a lot of detail concerning the Gymkhana suspension - https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...uspension.html
Good luck... GUSTO
I started with the FE7, Gymkhana front springs that lowered my non-FE7, '73 about an inch from stock. To get both sides equal, I trimmed less than a quarter of a coil to get them both the same.
Here's a thread that goes into a lot of detail concerning the Gymkhana suspension - https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...uspension.html
Good luck... GUSTO
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
A small spacer in the spring which gets it to the proper height (for you) is no big deal. If it doesn't rattle or fall out, go for it.
I would think that a hard rubber spacer would be better than metal. But, use what works.
I would think that a hard rubber spacer would be better than metal. But, use what works.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Mar 19, 2020 at 09:03 PM.
