Is my coil spring binding? How to fix?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Is my coil spring binding? How to fix?
The passenger side of the car was making "toom" noises as I was riding home today. When I go into my driveway, it does it as well. I put my weight on the passenger side front corner and it went "toom-toom-toom".
I'm guessing this is the coil spring. What causes this?
I just replaced... I'm not sure if it's set up right though. I have not adjusted the springs to get correct ride height.
*edit* I removed the upper shock mount and the noise was even more obvious. When I have the shock on, I have to do a full compression of the suspension but it definitely sounds like metal on metal down there.
Tried jacking up the car in my driveway(first time trying to raise it this high), the jack slipped like a mother... Scary. Gotta find a friend with a dry, concrete driveway. :-/
-Steve
[Modified by Pacin'California, 4:31 PM 2/12/2003]
I'm guessing this is the coil spring. What causes this?
I just replaced... I'm not sure if it's set up right though. I have not adjusted the springs to get correct ride height.
*edit* I removed the upper shock mount and the noise was even more obvious. When I have the shock on, I have to do a full compression of the suspension but it definitely sounds like metal on metal down there.
Tried jacking up the car in my driveway(first time trying to raise it this high), the jack slipped like a mother... Scary. Gotta find a friend with a dry, concrete driveway. :-/
-Steve
[Modified by Pacin'California, 4:31 PM 2/12/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Is my coil spring binding? How to fix? (Pacin'California)
Probably more likely to be a controll arm bushing making the noise. Or a stabilizer bushing. Or it could be the shock. If its a gas charged shock then disconnecting the top bolt wont really stop its movement. Maybe try and soak the bushings with WD40 to see if they quiet down. Im not positive but I dont think WD40 will harm the bushings. Maybe someone else can confirm.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Re: Is my coil spring binding? How to fix? (Pacin'California)
Is the spring lined up correctly in the upper shock tower? That is, is the spring 0.38 plus/minus 0.12 from the spring stop?
Were the bolts on the ends of the a-arm cross shaft torqued AFTER the car was at ride hight and the suspension had a chance to settle?
Does the car sit at the proper hight now? Were the springs changed?
Were the bolts on the ends of the a-arm cross shaft torqued AFTER the car was at ride hight and the suspension had a chance to settle?
Does the car sit at the proper hight now? Were the springs changed?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Re: Is my coil spring binding? How to fix? (mapman)
99.999% sure that I have not got the spring seated correctly as you said before.
When I tried to double check that today, the car damn near caved in on me trying to jack it up, so I decided today was not the day for working on cars. Will try again with a helper next time.
...ah, I think I've almost got my breath back now.
BTW, VBP says their springs can be matched to either pocket. What if I did the method outline in the haynes manual? (Cover one of the inspection holes in the bottom pocket...)
Thanks for all the help, Mapman. I know it must be difficult putting up w/ so many questions, so little action!
-Steve
When I tried to double check that today, the car damn near caved in on me trying to jack it up, so I decided today was not the day for working on cars. Will try again with a helper next time.
...ah, I think I've almost got my breath back now.
BTW, VBP says their springs can be matched to either pocket. What if I did the method outline in the haynes manual? (Cover one of the inspection holes in the bottom pocket...)
Thanks for all the help, Mapman. I know it must be difficult putting up w/ so many questions, so little action!
-Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Re: Is my coil spring binding? How to fix? (Pacin'California)
I would use the method given in both the Chevrolet Corvette Shop Manual and the A.I.M. to position the springs. The spring is positioned relative to the spring stop at the top of the spring tower. Both the A.I.M. and the shop manual show illustrations of doing it this way.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 6
From: Indiana
Re: Is my coil spring binding? How to fix? (mapman)
Hey Steve,
If the weather permits, I'll give you a hand this weekend with it. The sound you describe does not sound like it could be anything but the spring. We'll figure it out.
If the weather permits, I'll give you a hand this weekend with it. The sound you describe does not sound like it could be anything but the spring. We'll figure it out.
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From: Reno Nevada
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Re: Is my coil spring binding? How to fix? (tsw71)
When you put on the one inch shorter spring you have to go to a shorter shock. I imagine that it's the shock bottoming out.
Hey Tom. tsw71 how are things at the shop these days? I hope that you have everything worked out by now.:seeya
Hey Tom. tsw71 how are things at the shop these days? I hope that you have everything worked out by now.:seeya
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 6
From: Indiana
Re: Is my coil spring binding? How to fix? (gkull)
Hey Tom. tsw71 how are things at the shop these days? I hope that you have everything worked out by now.:seeya
enough of reality for one day. Back to the important stuff......... :chevy
