Coil spring twist to fit both pockets?
 

1969 coupe


Installing 550 lb springs won't line up to both pockets. How do you twist w/o messing up power coat?


I first lined up top pocket, used 1 hook method to get bottom coil in place, bolted on bottom ball joint bolt to secure spring.


The spring needs to uncoil two inches to fall in place.


Am I doing it wrong?


Rick

My 550lb springs from ecklars were the same , lined up in the frame with about 1 inch to long to seat in the A arm. I tried it like that and the front sat too high.

Took it apart and cut the "extra length" off so it would seat properly . Car sat lower and I liked the height so I left it at that . I just covered the cut with some black paint to avoid it rusting

There is no way to twist such a big spring to get it in without massive heating which would ruin it anyway.

Bazza, yes these are too the Ecklar 550lb springs.

Ideally I don't want to cut the springs as it will change the spring rate and further lower height.
I can't imagine they require cut prior to installation.?!? I’ll keep looking at google and forums.

Thanks
Rick

Do you have the tiny sight hole in the top pocket? Need to actually see the cut end of the spring through sight hole. Bottom tail does not matter. Not supposed to go all the way down.

Stinge69 Yes it in the upper pocket.

Unfortunately as Bazza mentions My situation is the same.

Thanks
Rick

Do not tighten the a-frame bushing bolts up until the weight is on the ground and the suspension has settled. Need to roll around a bit and get to normal ride height before tightening up bolts. This will set the ride height. May need to go back with different springs. Eaton Detroit sold me a second set and they are PERFECT.

BIG pipe wrench... don't make me do it!

Rick

I need to unwind two inches... that a lot of torque I feel the top is going to jump out of the pocket.

Rick

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...64cc186b2b.jpg

Time for a drink.

Rick

:thumbs:

Rick

Update

I was not able to unwind the coil, to much torque against the upper pocket. I did not cut the coil to fit the lower pocket, it passes over it about two inches even if it fit into the pocket it would have only set 1/4" lower. I set the spring in the upper pocket only. My ride height is at 26 3/4" which is a 1/2" lower than the 460lb springs I swapped out to put in these 550lb springs.

I wonder if the original 550's where clocked the same as these aftermarket coils.

Thanks for the input.
Rick

I don't remember having any issues installing my 550's but that was a long time ago and I've forgotten a lot of things since then.

LONG time ago, I put in 460 VBP springs, and just put the end of the coil in the bottom arm, never paid any attention to the top pocket, been that way for some 20 years now.....I just fail to see any issue, and yes the top of the spring does not end in the 'pockets'.....so what??

As I recall, the orientation of the top of the spring was detailed in the manual (AIM or chassis I don't recall) and the bottom wasn't specified
Top has an inspection hole to see where the end of the spring was, bottom is just a drain hole
M

:thumbs:

Rick

Mooser is correct. It's in the AIM.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...49f49cb7d6.jpg



https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...8e7f6de654.jpg

I installed 550# springs in my '73 convertible back in the early 90's when I was autocrossing it regularly. They lowered the car about 1" over the stock springs I removed along with stiffening up the front suspension.

As others have now mentioned the springs are clocked in the top pocket and not the lower.

I also stopped buying from the folks in "Titusville", more than 20 years ago. Just too many low quality parts that needed to be sent back. Just sayin'...

Good luck... GUSTO