Quick suspension question

[caduceus]

Since rebuilding my Chim after a body off resto, the ass is in the air. The gap between the top of the tyre and the apex of the wheel arch radius seems too great as is quite a bit more than the front, which seems spot on.
I have the ARB removed as I remember reading in a thread some years it was better off. Would having it off ( ) put the ass in the air?

TIA
Cad

[bobfather]

Front and rear springs swapped over?

[caduceus]

I was just thinking about that sitting here with a coffee. Will they still fit? Front springs on rear shocks and vise versa?
Worryingly I got the springs powder coated by a small company, re-sprayed the shocks myself, and gave them to my local TVR garage to assemble, as I don't have a press big enough.

[Classic Chim]

ARB removed won’t effect ride height.
I was replacing my shocks one time and accidentally fitted one front on the rear which resulted in a similar ride height your talking about so I’d look at the shocks.

[bobfather]

Yes they fit, I once accidentally fitted rears on my front wishbones, the nose sunk into the ground

[Classic Chim]

bobfather said:

Yes they fit, I once accidentally fitted rears on my front wishbones, the nose sunk into the ground

It’s a right game too

[caduceus]

I assume there is a distinct difference between the front and rear springs? One longer than the other?

[sixor8]

Front springs are shorter than the rears, slightly. I did a similar thing when I had mine redone in red and yellow back in late 2017 so as to not confuse them! Powder coated springs, home repainted shock bodies.

It's the longer shock body section below the platform on the rears, and the larger top eyelets on the later fronts that distinguish them too.

The rears have the turns at one end slightly closer to each other after fitment. Later Bilsteins have adjustable platforms.



I used a trick I read about here on PH using some small ratchet straps to compress the springs and reassembled myself.

Edited by sixor8 on Monday 15th February 18:24

[bobfather]

If you put rear springs on the front they will compress all the way. The front is a lot heavier than the rear. The length of the unit isn't the issue, it's the spring rates

[Paulprior]

As a rough guide on the gap I seem to remember some recomendations for 2 fingers at the front between tyre and wing and 3 fingers at the back, not very technical I know but it might give a rough idea of how far out you are maybe ?

[bobfather]

Paulprior said:

As a rough guide on the gap I seem to remember some recomendations for 2 fingers at the front between tyre and wing and 3 fingers at the back, not very technical I know but it might give a rough idea of how far out you are maybe ?

Rear 155mm, front 145mm outrigger corner to ground

[caduceus]

That's really handy information chaps, especially the pics, thank you. I'll have a look later today.
3 fingers gap for the rear? Mine might not be far off that to be honest...I thought it just looked too jacked up. It's up on axle stands at the moment so I can't check but can definitely check the shocks.

[Classic Chim]

Another rule of thumb on standard shocks when lowered to the ground and rolled back and forth a few times will be the front wishbone bottom arms will be parallel to the floor and appear level.

[bobfather]

Classic Chim said:

Another rule of thumb on standard shocks when lowered to the ground and rolled back and forth a few times will be the front wishbone bottom arms will be parallel to the floor and appear level.

Good point. Very important for this setup because unequal length wishbone suspension is designed to alter camber in one direction under compression and the other direction under expansion. The level lower wishbone sets the neutral point.

[sixor8]

The gap at the back from tyre to wheel arch does look slightly high but that is correct. It is offset by the fact you will see plenty of photos of cars that have had aftermarket suspension fitted. Sometimes along with larger wheel / tyre combinations which also close the gap up a little.

[caduceus]

I've checked them gents. The springs are indeed the wrong way round. Curiously the garage who didn't resolve this issue over a month ago are the same ones that fitted the springs a year ago What a pain. At least I know what the problem is now. Time to give the garage a visit.