setting front spring
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: zanesville ohio
setting front spring
Its been almost 2 years since i rebuilt my front suspension but car sits high in front 30"floor to fender lip. Tried loosening my control arm bolts with weight on suspension, but no change. Thinking now that maybe my springs are not seated properly. I quess i didnt know you could put them in wrong. Just how do you and do i have to take it all apart again or is there a way i can turn the spring to get it seated? Really hate the thought of takeing it all apart again.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
At the bottom A-arm, the "end" of the coil or spring goes right to the indented "drain hole". On the top towards the shock tower, the frame is indented or has a "pocket" for the spring to rest into.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
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From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
When you re-built your front - did you install the 460lbs (GrandTouring) springs ? If so, then the 30" are probably all right.... these springs have to be cut (1/2 or 1 coil) to get the front down to acceptable level (28")....
It's more important to have the spring sitting correctly in the upper pocket...
If you have to (or want to) cut 1 coil off, then install the spring so that the cut is at the bottom.
It's more important to have the spring sitting correctly in the upper pocket...
If you have to (or want to) cut 1 coil off, then install the spring so that the cut is at the bottom.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: zanesville ohio
But the spring would have to seat itself in the channels or it wouldnt go together or am i missing something here. At the time i did it the motor and trans and wheels were out of the car and everything was bolted tight. Thats why i just tried to loosen control arm bolts now but didnt really change anything.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
The front end CAN be assembled without the top of the spring seated in "the pocket", the spring will just be a little more compressed resulting in a car sitting higher.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
It depends... what spring is in there ? The original spring is too long, you'll have to take it all apart and use spring compressors.
The 460lbs springs (and the 550s) are shorter - I removed my 460lbs springs twice to cut them. I did it without a compressor, I just loosened the lower ball joint, took the nut off and lifted the lower A-arm with a car jack. The spring is compressing while you jack - you can lift the lower A-arm high enough to get the ball joint out (off the spindle), then lower it carefully to get the spring unloaded and remove it....
The 460lbs springs (and the 550s) are shorter - I removed my 460lbs springs twice to cut them. I did it without a compressor, I just loosened the lower ball joint, took the nut off and lifted the lower A-arm with a car jack. The spring is compressing while you jack - you can lift the lower A-arm high enough to get the ball joint out (off the spindle), then lower it carefully to get the spring unloaded and remove it....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: zanesville ohio
I think they are the stock springs,they were in the car when i got it,doubt they were ever changed. I tore it apart the first time using a floor jack and had no problem with the spring trying to bite me.
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Tech Contributor
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From: Connecticut, USA
If they are the stock springs then the coils will be spaced closer on one end. The aftermarket ones are evenly spaced so there is no top - bottom. Now I don't recall if the tight coils go to the top or bottom? I'm sure someone can answer before I dig up the info.
Gary
Gary
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
When I removed my stock coils, the smaller spacing was in the top. I think I read that in a manual once too.