SPRINGS!

[CARBLUETVR]

I’m looking at replacing the standard suspension springs on my 1998 chim what would the approx cost be for the springs and where can you buy them.

[bobfather]

I suggest you talk to Derek at Absolutely Shocks

[CARBLUETVR]

cheers for that, ill get when a try

[K4TRV]

Presuming you have standard Bilsten dampers, the springs are integral with the dampers, so you cannot change the springs without replacement dampers of your choice.

You will need to search the TVR/Chimaera pages and see comments on replacement dampers which you can specify different rated springs.

As already advised you could choose an Independant near you and trust their judgement.

To change your springs will be £500 plus fittment, or if you have aftermarket dampers, about £25 per spring.

Trev

[Kitchski]

I'd be interested to know if you can do this. I happened upon some Nitron springs a while ago. The ride height on my Bilsteins is all wrong, the front is too high. Be brilliant if I could get it a bit lower so it doesn't look like I've run down a fat hooker and dumped her in the boot. I have to drive around with the targa off so people don't get suspicious, even in the rain!

[K4TRV]

Quinny said:

Ehhhh??

Why can't you take the springs off the Billys, as I have done many times????

And then replace the spring with any make you like, as long as its of comparable length, diameter, and poundage??

Sorry, my comments are based on my '93 model. The Bilstens had "progressive" springs so the damping suited them (not linear) and was advised not to remove/change them and they didn't have any height adjustment.

So I changed them to AVOs with use with any spring you want and with height adjustment. There are now many more damper options available.

Trev

Edited by K4TRV on Tuesday 24th November 09:19

Edited by K4TRV on Tuesday 24th November 09:19

[schmokin1]

unless they have done something veeery clever, the only progressive springs are the rears. The fronts
just look like normal springs to me.

However, when I took off my slightly saggy front OE springs, measured the least saggy one, and got a pair of Faulkner springs the same length at 325lb rating (quoted on here in other threads as the standard rate), the front rides a bit high. However, I think the TVR parts suppliers ask way too much for what is just a spring, to just buy a pair of 'OE' fronts.

Now the question is, is 325lb actually the OE front rating?

Quinny, what did you use?

Cheers all
Schmo

[snorky]

the shockers will now be 12 years old (if still on originals). I recently replaced mine with protech shocks and new springs and cannot believe the improvement in handling and overall comfort - cost about £700 inc fitting for shocks, springs, laser alignment and corner weighting....mine is a 98 too

[Nzchim]

Just resurrecting this old thread as I think I may need to replace my springs. 1998 Chim on recently refurbed Bilsteins. Prior to the refurb the car banged and crashed over anything but billiard table tarmac... after the refurb (and new poly bushes front suspension, arb and rear arb) the handling was a huge improvement.
Took a good road trip yesterday and it feels soft. Even my wife commented. Still handles well but gets bouncy on crap roads.

I don’t have the budget to replace the complete coilovers. But wondered. What my options were beyond the standard eibach springs if anything. If I could get a slightly firmer ride and lower by approx 20mm at the back that would be great, but not essential.
Do springs get ‘tired’? The car has done 55k.

[BIG DUNC]

Springs do deteriorate with age.

There are plenty of options and I am sure someone will be along shortly with suggestions.

Are you sure the problem is the springs? I know you say the dampers have been refurbished, but are they adjustable?

[spitfire4v8]

Nzchim said:

Just resurrecting this old thread as I think I may need to replace my springs. 1998 Chim on recently refurbed Bilsteins. Prior to the refurb the car banged and crashed over anything but billiard table tarmac... after the refurb (and new poly bushes front suspension, arb and rear arb) the handling was a huge improvement.
Took a good road trip yesterday and it feels soft. Even my wife commented. Still handles well but gets bouncy on crap roads.

I don’t have the budget to replace the complete coilovers. But wondered. What my options were beyond the standard eibach springs if anything. If I could get a slightly firmer ride and lower by approx 20mm at the back that would be great, but not essential.
Do springs get ‘tired’? The car has done 55k.

You need to define what you mean by "soft" and "bouncy" because there's a difference between softly sprung, and under-damped and depending which one you have (or both) will dictate where you need to spend your money. Also be aware that if you go the stiffer spring route, then a damper which is valved ok for your current spring may not have enough rebound to control a stiffer spring, so your previously well damped damper is now under-damped.

Seeing as youre already on bilsteins, contact ben lang for more advice, or whoever refurbed them for you.

[Nzchim]

Thanks, the shocks are not adjustable. I havent driven any other chim’s so don’t have much to go on. The only other pending job on the rear suspension is to change out the old rubber bushes. I would expect that to tighten up the feel of the rear but not transform the softness I’m experiencing.

[spitfire4v8]

Ah see you're in new zealand .. should have clicked from the username!

Lots of extremely talented technical people in NZ .. you'd do worse than to seek out a suspension guru who's used to relatively lightweight sportscars and let them have a drive and report their findings and go from there. It may well save you hassle and expense long term as anything else is guesswork.

[Classic Chim]

As mentioned let someone who knows his sportscar suspension set ups take a look/ drive. Could be leaking dampers losing both bump and rebound effect but unlikely. What ambient temperature’s are you driving in. The warmer it gets the softer the car will feel so maybe standard springs for U.K. might be to soft living in a warmer country.

[spitfire4v8]

^^ good point about temps, which is why any suspension evaluation should only be done after driving the car some distance to get the damper oils hot .. cold dampers always feel firmer than hot dampers because of the oil thinning with temperature.