More Spring Problems HELP!

[spivvy]

I recently bought some 9 inch 350lbs springs to put on the front of the car as i thought the old springs were a bit shot and the bonnet wouldn't lift up,
so got the units off tonight and the 9 inch springs don't fit(too small) on the standard koni shocks(can't afford to replace these yet).

I have no idea of the poundage of the front springs but they are 11inch uncompressed and 10.25 inch when fitted on the shock . The problem is i need to raise the ride height slightly as the car has 55 diameter tyres on it .So what do i fit ?

i was going to get and 11 inch 300lbs or 350lbs spring but can only get a 10.5 or 12 inch from supplier who supplied the originals . I am at a bit of a loss here car is an S3






>>> Edited by spivvy on Monday 17th November 22:53

[GreenV8S]

spivvy said:

So what do i fit ?

If you only want to raise the ride height and believe the original springs are still sound, then fit a spacer under the original springs on the original dampers. The ride height will increase by roughly 1.4 times the thickness of the spacer, so you're probably looking for something about 1/4" to 1/2" thick

Don't forget to reset the camber and toe-in afterwards (this applies to the back as well as the front).

[spivvy]

GreenV8S said:

spivvy said: So what do i fit ? If you only want to raise the ride height and believe the original springs are still sound, then fit a spacer under the original springs on the original dampers. The ride height will increase by roughly 1.4 times the thickness of the spacer, so you're probably looking for something about 1/4" to 1/2" thick Don't forget to reset the camber and toe-in afterwards (this applies to the back as well as the front).

i believe the front springs will need replacing they do look and feel a bit tired

if i fit a 10.5 will that lower the height ?
or is 12 too much

>> Edited by spivvy on Tuesday 18th November 08:47

[GreenV8S]

spivvy said:

i believe the front springs will need replacing they do look and feel a bit tired if i fit a 10.5 will that lower the height ? or is 12 too much

If the springs are still exactly 11" long uncompressed and are still straight, I doubt there's anything wrong with them. They should be dual rate springs with the top four coils just about touching at the normal ride height. (Some people assume this means the springs have sagged, it doesn't mean that.) Entirely up to you whether you change them or not.

If you change the springs and intend to spec them yourself, you need to watch out for a couple of things. The stiffer the spring, the less it deflects. This means the car will ride higher. I know you want this, but just bear in mind the further you go from the standard rate the more effect it will have; if you go too far you'll need to get shorter springs or dampers with adjustable ride height. If you go much too far, the springs will come loose at full droop which can be quite dangerous. But I don't think you'll have any problem with the sort of spring rates you're talking about. They should increase the ride height by a little over a quarter of an inch which sounds about right for your ride height problem.

On mine, the front and rear springs were completely different (front was 1.9" diameter, rear was 2.25") and they were different rates. However, the rear dampers were actually the same diameter as the fronts and just used a spacer to take the bigger springs. I suggest you check the front and rear dimensions carefully and don't assume they are the same, but you can probably use 1.9" all round. Similarly, front and rear springs are different rates and you will want to stiffen up front and rear by a similar amount.

I thick you should stick to 11" springs, 10.5" or 12" on those dampers will throw the ride height out. 10.5" will lower the car by about 3/4", and 12" will raise it by about 1.5". If you get really stuck you could use 10.5" springs with a 1/2" spacer, but then you have to find the spacer from somewhere. In any case I don't think you'll have any trouble finding 11" springs. Ten Star will do them to order and I'm sure the other spring suppliers will too.

Hope this helps,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

[spivvy]

Thanks for that pete i will stick with existing springs one more question
what do you use as a spacer or can they be bought ? if so where from