Saggy springs!

XP29 · Post by **XP29** » Tue Feb 02, 16 4:50 pm

I've been having a bit of an experiment with heights. This is as it is now

Measuring at the bumper, this is 1 1\2" lift

And this is 2" lift

Considering I would like to raise the front up a little 2" would be great on the rear.

This is a better view of my springs. Should that top leaf be bending down slightly as it passes over the end of the 2nd leaf?

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Tue Feb 02, 16 7:40 pm

2" is too much IMO. Don't need a rake on that design. 1.5" for me.

XP29 · Post by **XP29** » Tue Feb 02, 16 8:53 pm

MilesnMiles wrote:2" is too much IMO. Don't need a rake on that design. 1.5" for me.

I do want to bring the front back up a bit as it's quite low at the moment. I dropped it down as I couldn't see the road/cars behind through the mirror due to the rear being low and the rear window although is huge it's at a very low angle.

Charger · Post by **Charger** » Tue Feb 02, 16 9:56 pm

XP29 wrote:Measuring at the bumper, this is 1 1\2" lift
And this is 2" lift

Measuring at the bumper you’re going to get a false reading

Maths and angles and stuff

2” at the bumper is probably only about 1.5” at the wheel arch

Measurement at the wheel arch, that’s what you would need to give to your springiest if you’re having them re-arched

I like what you’re doing btw

Personally I would go slightly up on what your ideal would be as you just know they’ll settle in time

latil · Post by **latil** » Tue Feb 02, 16 10:15 pm

Small jack between the axle & chassis rail and lift the body without taking weight off the tyres. Tyres will sit a good 1/2 to 3/4 inch higher if you jack just the body and take the weight off them.

XP29 · Post by **XP29** » Tue Feb 02, 16 10:22 pm

Cheers guys. Just looking at bits from Summit. I've decided to replace rear shackle, front bushing and get the add a leaf. I'm going to have a go at it myself, it's pleasing being a complete novice accomplishing stuff on the car. If this gives me what I want great, if not I'll go the re-spring route. Annoying thing is Summit have a 2 week wait till the bushing set come in.

cadboy · Post by **cadboy** » Wed Feb 03, 16 7:19 am

XP29 wrote:Cheers guys. Just looking at bits from Summit. I've decided to replace rear shackle, front bushing and get the add a leaf. I'm going to have a go at it myself, it's pleasing being a complete novice accomplishing stuff on the car. If this gives me what I want great, if not I'll go the re-spring route. Annoying thing is Summit have a 2 week wait till the bushing set come in.

looking at your spring I would say they need reshaping so while you are waiting it may be worth doing.
I am in the same position need to have mine done before season starts.

XP29 · Post by **XP29** » Wed Feb 03, 16 7:44 am

Yes tat top main leaf is a concern. What is the rough cost of having a pair redone at some where such as Brost?

latil · Post by **latil** » Wed Feb 03, 16 7:45 am

You'll also need a spring kit of new clips,sliders and interleaves.

http://www.manciniracing.com/lespreki.html is an example,shop around prices vary.

RobTwin · Post by **RobTwin** » Wed Feb 03, 16 8:07 am

MilesnMiles wrote:2" is too much IMO. Don't need a rake on that design. 1.5" for me.

I agree, especially with those ickle wheels'n'tyres. I presume there 14"ers? Any higher and they will look lost in that wheel arch....

Good project tho, something we've been thinking of doing for ages but never got around to

XP29 · Post by **XP29** » Wed Feb 03, 16 8:14 am

latil wrote:You'll also need a spring kit of new clips,sliders and interleaves.

http://www.manciniracing.com/lespreki.html is an example,shop around prices vary.

Ok thanks.

XP29 · Post by **XP29** » Wed Feb 03, 16 8:18 am

RobTwin wrote:
MilesnMiles wrote:2" is too much IMO. Don't need a rake on that design. 1.5" for me.
I agree, especially with those ickle wheels'n'tyres. I presume there 14"ers? Any higher and they will look lost in that wheel arch....

Good project tho, something we've been thinking of doing for ages but never got around to

They are standard 14" at the moment, but want to get 15" soon. Just want to get the springs sorted first.

I'm trying to weigh up cost of having mine redone compared to new springs. I think new XHD springs are about $130 each, so guess around £260 to get here. How much is re-doing springs roughly here?

ANTON · Post by **ANTON** » Wed Feb 03, 16 8:35 am

To re-arch and re-temper is around £200 and to add and extra leaf is about another £40.

RobTwin · Post by **RobTwin** » Wed Feb 03, 16 8:38 am

Cant help on the costs but I know quite a few people have bought new springs and found that they raise the car way too much, although, as has been said, they can tend to settle (sag) quite quickly after fitting.

Although your springs clearly need at least re-aching, don't forget 15" wheels might raise the rear anyway, dependant on what size tyres you go for.

eg - I just checked on this handy chart, 225/70-14 have the same overall diameter as 245/60-15. Which I found surprising

(scroll down a little way)

http://www.buicks.net/shop/reference/tires.html#chart

Dave999 · Post by **Dave999** » Wed Feb 03, 16 9:18 am

latil wrote:You'll also need a spring kit of new clips,sliders and interleaves.

http://www.manciniracing.com/lespreki.html is an example,shop around prices vary.

those interleaves are galvanised steel the originals were just solid zinc

with only a few microns of zinc they don't work very well

get some of this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Preweathered- ... uJVekqFWdw
cut to width of spring
drill hole in 1 end for the spring bolt
hole should be exactly the length of one of the plastic sliders in from the end, and in the middle of the strip

put between springs facing forward
trim to length necessary

job done

no need to lube springs zinc against steel is self lubricating

the plastics can be purchased as a separate part.

https://www.npdlink.com/store/catalog/L ... 031-1.html

Dave