Rear Springs
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 919
Likes: 1
From: Portland area OR
Rear Springs
Does anyone know the spring rates of the following OEM C5 rear springs:
FE1 base on A4
FE1 base on MN6
FE 3 (#22146646) Z51 on A4
FE3 (#22179020) Z51 on MN6
I seem to be losing about 3/8" rear ride height between being cold in the morning and sitting outside in the afternoon in the heat. My car has been lowered approximately 1". Anyone else notice a ride height difference ?
Thanks. :flag
FE1 base on A4
FE1 base on MN6
FE 3 (#22146646) Z51 on A4
FE3 (#22179020) Z51 on MN6
I seem to be losing about 3/8" rear ride height between being cold in the morning and sitting outside in the afternoon in the heat. My car has been lowered approximately 1". Anyone else notice a ride height difference ?
Thanks. :flag
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Re: Rear Springs (powderski13)
I have noticed a ride height difference over the last year. I am wondering if the spring has lost some of its.... spring!! :)
vetterdstr :cheers:
vetterdstr :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena MD
Re: Rear Springs (powderski13)
Springs made from composites, ie, fiberglass, carbon fiber, resins, do not exhibit the same elasticity as metals. When stressed beyond the yield point they do not exhibit a different stress-strain curve as do metals. they will have failed mechanically ie cracked fibers or resin. Quite possibly what you are experiencing is "creep deformation" as do all "plastics" caused by the many stressed cycles that the spring has encountered over the years :)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 894
Likes: 1
From: Bethel Township Ohio
Re: Rear Springs (jawski)
I would check the spring very carefuly if you can see a ride height difference. My rear spring broke at Mid Ohio this year, the body came down on the tire and off the track I went.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
Re: Rear Springs (jawski)
Not all composites will sag like the GM springs. It depends which materials are used. The FE-1 springs are rated @439.66lb. front, @576.70lb. rear manual tranny, @588.12lb. rear auto tranny. The FE-3 springs are @525.31lb. front, @633.80lb. manual tranny, and @645.22lb. auto tranny. :cheers:
