Springs for rear AVO shocks?
Discussion
Ok, so I may have been hasty and foolish, but I ordered some shocks from AVO and assumed they'd be straight replacements for the stock units so also ordered a set of springs from RT (AVO don't list a spring kit for TVRs).
The shocks have arrived. Fronts look to be stock replacements (I don't have the car at mine to check), but the rear are height adjustable coilovers. Now the springs have turned up and the fronts look fine, but I'm not sure about the rears. They look fine for the standard setup, but can I use them with my AVO shocks? I reckon they'll fit, but they'll need to be pretty compressed to do so and the height adjustment collar will need to be screwed pretty far down...
Is cutting the springs an option? Whenever the topic comes up I generally find people can't agree on whether it's ok or not.
Failing that anyone know where I can get springs to fit the rears and does anyone want to buy a set of new RT springs? :)
The shocks have arrived. Fronts look to be stock replacements (I don't have the car at mine to check), but the rear are height adjustable coilovers. Now the springs have turned up and the fronts look fine, but I'm not sure about the rears. They look fine for the standard setup, but can I use them with my AVO shocks? I reckon they'll fit, but they'll need to be pretty compressed to do so and the height adjustment collar will need to be screwed pretty far down...
Is cutting the springs an option? Whenever the topic comes up I generally find people can't agree on whether it's ok or not.
Failing that anyone know where I can get springs to fit the rears and does anyone want to buy a set of new RT springs? :)
Don't even think about cutting them.
Can you adjust the spring seats on the new dampers so that with both dampers fully extended the distance between spring seats is the same? If the answer is 'no' then you need new springs, so you need to work out what length spring you need. To do this adjust the spring seats to the middle of their adjustment range, see what the difference is between the old and new dampers, and take that off the free length of the standard springs.
Also measure the diameter of the new spring seat to see what the internal spring diameter needs to be, because different makes of damper can require different size springs. Unless they're identical diameter to the standard dampers, you will need to change the springs anyway.
If you do need to change the springs, the first thingI'd do is ask Richard to exchange them for the same rate in the diameter and length you need. If he can't/won't, then perhaps he would credit your account. Otherwise you're left selling them yourself. Knowing the rate, diameter and free length of the springs you can buy them from anywhere. Personally I would go through AVO since they supplied the dampers, they should give you a decent price and they will have no trouble supplying if you tell the the rate and free length and it means you know the diameter is correct.
Adited to add: I have assumed you know what the spring rate is but you may not. Hopefully either the old or new springs will be labelled, or Richard will tell you. If not, get the old springs measured, or measure them yourself, or find another wedge owner here who can tell you what the rate should be.
>> Edited by GreenV8S on Tuesday 14th June 23:49
Can you adjust the spring seats on the new dampers so that with both dampers fully extended the distance between spring seats is the same? If the answer is 'no' then you need new springs, so you need to work out what length spring you need. To do this adjust the spring seats to the middle of their adjustment range, see what the difference is between the old and new dampers, and take that off the free length of the standard springs.
Also measure the diameter of the new spring seat to see what the internal spring diameter needs to be, because different makes of damper can require different size springs. Unless they're identical diameter to the standard dampers, you will need to change the springs anyway.
If you do need to change the springs, the first thingI'd do is ask Richard to exchange them for the same rate in the diameter and length you need. If he can't/won't, then perhaps he would credit your account. Otherwise you're left selling them yourself. Knowing the rate, diameter and free length of the springs you can buy them from anywhere. Personally I would go through AVO since they supplied the dampers, they should give you a decent price and they will have no trouble supplying if you tell the the rate and free length and it means you know the diameter is correct.
Adited to add: I have assumed you know what the spring rate is but you may not. Hopefully either the old or new springs will be labelled, or Richard will tell you. If not, get the old springs measured, or measure them yourself, or find another wedge owner here who can tell you what the rate should be.
>> Edited by GreenV8S on Tuesday 14th June 23:49
The diameter of the spring is the same. It just looks a little long. I don't have any spring compressors at the moment to try the spring with the shock. And because I don't have the car at home I can't check to see the difference between the standard spring seats and the ones on the new coilover.
But, if other people have used RT's standard springs with the AVOs then I assume it'll be ok and it's just me being paranoid again
I'm off to the garage tomorrow morning and I'll take them over then.
But, if other people have used RT's standard springs with the AVOs then I assume it'll be ok and it's just me being paranoid again
I'm off to the garage tomorrow morning and I'll take them over then.
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