Front Springs ??

[Jonny weggie]

Started changing my suspension on my 350, 89 model. Done the back with no problems then stripped down the front, spring that came off were 250mm on one side and 260mm on the other [a bit tired] but my new springs to go on are 285mm high,i was told by the supplier that these are the new springs for all wedges now.I said that i was trying to bring the front of the car down a bit rather than making it higher [still to get back to me ] i was just wondering what your thoughts were.
jonny.

[rev-erend]

Send em back ..

[JR]

rev-erend said:

Send em back ..

Well assuming that the spring rating is the same you have no alternative if you want to achieve your lowering aim satisfactorily. Did you tell the supplier that you were trying to lower the car?

[Jonny weggie]

JR said:

rev-erend said:

Send em back ..

Well assuming that the spring rating is the same you have no alternative if you want to achieve your lowering aim satisfactorily. Did you tell the supplier that you were trying to lower the car?

Yes, thats why they've to get back to me.

[CarbonWedge]

I fitted new RT front springs a couple of months ago, free length was 290mm and they look fine on the car.

[ROOODBOY]

Yes, the length can vary quite dramatically due to different spring rates, so most probably nothing to worry about.

I have experienced this with other cars.

Personally, I'd fit them.

Edited by ROOODBOY on Friday 12th February 12:59

[SEvans]

It's not true to say the springs will fit all Wedges. The 200 needs different springs due to the much lighter engine. Suspect the RV8 and Cologne engines are reasonably close in weight, so maybe it doesn't make too much difference.
I wouldn't go too low as you will affect the suspension geometry. The Wedge was designed to sit reasonably high, maybe too high for some people.

[JR]

SEvans said:

It's not true to say the springs will fit all Wedges. The 200 needs different springs due to the much lighter engine. Suspect the RV8 and Cologne engines are reasonably close in weight, so maybe it doesn't make too much difference.

Althought the V8 is lighter than the V6 the ancilliaries added in make the cars about the same weight.

SEvans said:

I wouldn't go too low as you will affect the suspension geometry. The Wedge was designed to sit reasonably high, maybe too high for some people.

That's generally the main problem.

[Jonny weggie]

SEvans said:

It's not true to say the springs will fit all Wedges. The 200 needs different springs due to the much lighter engine. Suspect the RV8 and Cologne engines are reasonably close in weight, so maybe it doesn't make too much difference.
I wouldn't go too low as you will affect the suspension geometry. The Wedge was designed to sit reasonably high, maybe too high for some people.

Most Wedges that i've looked at, between top of tyre and arch you can usually get two fingers in as for mine your talking three fingers on the front end and two fingers on the back, so i'm just trying to drop it slightly.

[JR]

Jonny weggie said:

SEvans said:

It's not true to say the springs will fit all Wedges. The 200 needs different springs due to the much lighter engine. Suspect the RV8 and Cologne engines are reasonably close in weight, so maybe it doesn't make too much difference.
I wouldn't go too low as you will affect the suspension geometry. The Wedge was designed to sit reasonably high, maybe too high for some people.

Most Wedges that i've looked at, between top of tyre and arch you can usually get two fingers in as for mine your talking three fingers on the front end and two fingers on the back, so i'm just trying to drop it slightly.

Original spec was thought to be two to five fingers, as much as anyone can tell.

[Jonny weggie]

JR said:

Jonny weggie said:

SEvans said:

It's not true to say the springs will fit all Wedges. The 200 needs different springs due to the much lighter engine. Suspect the RV8 and Cologne engines are reasonably close in weight, so maybe it doesn't make too much difference.
I wouldn't go too low as you will affect the suspension geometry. The Wedge was designed to sit reasonably high, maybe too high for some people.

Most Wedges that i've looked at, between top of tyre and arch you can usually get two fingers in as for mine your talking three fingers on the front end and two fingers on the back, so i'm just trying to drop it slightly.

Original spec was thought to be two to five fingers, as much as anyone can tell.

Thanks Jonathan, did'nt know that.

[Jonny weggie]

Suppliers got back to me [very understanding about situation] could'nt get hold of man dealing with the springs, but he's just had another set in and measured them and were 290mm so he's going to fit them next week onto a 350 wedge and has told me to hang off untill he see's what they look like and then Neil's going to send a picture of the car he's just done.
I'll keep you posted.
jonny.

[ROOODBOY]

Also bear in mind that new springs often take a bit of driving around to settle down properly, so don't be alarmed if it sits a little high at first, in case you didn't already know.

[CarbonWedge]

JR said:

Original spec was thought to be two to five fingers, as much as anyone can tell.

Be carful when measuring suspension against body work, we all have varing thicknesses of rubber on the body mounts, and at varying stages of decay, so bodies aren't necessarily square or level any more - if they ever were!

[combine]

Yep , new front springs do sit at least 3- 4 inches higher , had mine on at least a year now , wanted to get some platformed coilovers for front but ran into technical problems said to occur if going this way - anyone tried these ?

[wooly350i]

Hi,i wonder how much packing you've got between body and chassis at the front cos that will vary the gap in the wheel arches!
John

[grahamw48]

This was my 280 S1, just after having new springs and shocks all round from RT.

I thought it looked about right (previously sagging a bit).



390

Edited by grahamw48 on Friday 12th February 23:21

[Jonny weggie]

Looking good, thanks Graham.