New to the forums and need some info
Discussion
I've been reading through the first 40 something pages of the S-series forum and haven't been able to find the info I'm after.
Over the last few years I have sweated blood restoring my S3 to somewhere near the condition a car like this deserves to be kept in (new chassis, brakes, clutch, reveneered the dash, steering rack, radiator, etc), but have just found myself at a loss with the next job on the seemingly never ending list.
The NSF spring coils have started to overlap each other at the bottom and so need replacing. I'm looking to keep the car as close to the factory spec as I can and have read through the first 40 something pages on this forum but haven't been able to find what make/model the front suspension springs are. My local motorfactors want me to take the spring off and let them measure it up, the difficultly is that it kind of makes it tricky to get it to them if not on the car! I'm hoping someone here will know the spring details I need so I can just get them and do a 'simple' swap over.
Sorry for the long post but I am prone to the occassional bit of rambling on.
Over the last few years I have sweated blood restoring my S3 to somewhere near the condition a car like this deserves to be kept in (new chassis, brakes, clutch, reveneered the dash, steering rack, radiator, etc), but have just found myself at a loss with the next job on the seemingly never ending list.
The NSF spring coils have started to overlap each other at the bottom and so need replacing. I'm looking to keep the car as close to the factory spec as I can and have read through the first 40 something pages on this forum but haven't been able to find what make/model the front suspension springs are. My local motorfactors want me to take the spring off and let them measure it up, the difficultly is that it kind of makes it tricky to get it to them if not on the car! I'm hoping someone here will know the spring details I need so I can just get them and do a 'simple' swap over.
Sorry for the long post but I am prone to the occassional bit of rambling on.
Welcome to the forum - I hope you'll find it inteesting and informative. I've been using it for all of of two weeks, and I started by ploughing through the threads page by page until I discovered the SEARCH facility!!! Advanced search is the best in my opinion. Search for "springs" and you'll get lots of threads (I just tried it).
Regarding the question, I'm no expert, but from what
I've read there may be no such thing as a 'standard' spring. There are several TVR suspension specialists who may be able to suggest an appropriate item, or one best suited to your individual requirements.
Good luck!
Regarding the question, I'm no expert, but from what
I've read there may be no such thing as a 'standard' spring. There are several TVR suspension specialists who may be able to suggest an appropriate item, or one best suited to your individual requirements.
Good luck!
Either email 'the gazman' via his pistonheads profile or look at the contact details at www.absolutelyshocks.com he will be able to help I'm sure.
Maybe he'll also give me commission if you buy something !
I'd seriously recommend you update both springs and shocks, and again he's the man !
Not entirely sure but I think you may be able to get them ready assembled, though they may need some (professional) adjustment to set the ride height and suspension geometry after fitting.
Edited to say welcome by the way !
Chris
Maybe he'll also give me commission if you buy something !
I'd seriously recommend you update both springs and shocks, and again he's the man !
Not entirely sure but I think you may be able to get them ready assembled, though they may need some (professional) adjustment to set the ride height and suspension geometry after fitting.
Edited to say welcome by the way !
Chris
Edited by Barkychoc on Wednesday 1st August 23:12
Thanks for the advice guys, I see Absolutelyshocks are in High Wycombe which is only 30mins from me so I will probably take a spin over there to get their opinion on what I need when I next get some time off from work and the wife.
To be honest I didn't fully appreciate how complex this whole topic was, got to admit I thought it was just a question of getting a new version of the old bit and shoving it into place.
To be honest I didn't fully appreciate how complex this whole topic was, got to admit I thought it was just a question of getting a new version of the old bit and shoving it into place.
Barkychoc said:
I'd seriously recommend you update both springs and shocks, and again he's the man !
What I did: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The original spec for te springs were TVR specials. They were rising rate springs I beleive, i.e. as they compressed they became stiffer. I don't think you can get replacement rising rate springs any longer.
Most replacement springs are constant rate, that's why you'll see different rates quoted for the same car - it comes down to personal preference.
The specialists who do replacement springs and shocks for the S can advise you what is most suitable.
From an originality point of view there is nothing visibly different about the springs so you could get new springs without compromising the look of the car.
Most replacement springs are constant rate, that's why you'll see different rates quoted for the same car - it comes down to personal preference.
The specialists who do replacement springs and shocks for the S can advise you what is most suitable.
From an originality point of view there is nothing visibly different about the springs so you could get new springs without compromising the look of the car.
I'm just in the process of refitting my new AVO's.
The original springs seem to be in perfect condition - 65k miles on them, so I have reused them.
Comparing each side the heights are identical.
I decided to do this as I have discovered play in one of my trailing arm bushes, or maybe something much worse, so I'm keeping funds as high as possible to see what horrors that reveals.
Opinions -who thinks reusing the springs is a) Mad or b) reasonable
Also what spring compressors have people used - the springs sure are tight on the front, though I guess this is partly due to the fact that the AVO's are much fatter than the original Konis.
The Konis are well shot, lots of bubbling & gurgling going on drawing the piston up and down, espaecially at the very top of travel.
I did initially think they weren't too bad but didn't pay them much attention till today.
Chris
The original springs seem to be in perfect condition - 65k miles on them, so I have reused them.
Comparing each side the heights are identical.
I decided to do this as I have discovered play in one of my trailing arm bushes, or maybe something much worse, so I'm keeping funds as high as possible to see what horrors that reveals.
Opinions -who thinks reusing the springs is a) Mad or b) reasonable
Also what spring compressors have people used - the springs sure are tight on the front, though I guess this is partly due to the fact that the AVO's are much fatter than the original Konis.
The Konis are well shot, lots of bubbling & gurgling going on drawing the piston up and down, espaecially at the very top of travel.
I did initially think they weren't too bad but didn't pay them much attention till today.
Chris
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