Choosing the correct front coil spring

[JPSmit]

Hey John - Peter Smit, That picture of that car above got my attention. About a month ago when we had a break in the weather I was walking in my neighborhood and saw a car exactly like the one in the picture except it was blue and seemed jacked up a bit higher with bigger wheels. I remember it cause the first thing that came to my mind was getting a picture to show all of you in the forum. Did you sell this or is it someone you know?

Neither - just pulled it off the net - just went back to the website and it doesn't say where it is from, so, there is every chance the one you saw is it - please Lord, let there not be 2!

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Wait until you encounter the first speed bump or need to negotiate a driveway. There are limits of how low can you go. Exhaust pipe will be the first thing that hits.

 

[jvandyke]

I could re-do it to 1" spacers now, or do the other side to 2" and test. At least it's not hard to do. I took out 2, put a floor jack under the spring plate to take the pressure, took off the other two, let the jack down enough to get spacers in, slipped the bolts through, started jacking up and tightening nuts. I'm going to try and measure the free length when I do it again, wondering VB sent the CB 9.4" or (more likely?) the RB length ones. I should hunt down decent used set of the proper length though, if indeed today's replacements are junky.
I'm wondering too how far the spacer thing throws off the alignment.

 

[jvandyke]

Tried both sides with 2 inch spacers, looked like a low rider. Re-did with 1 inch spacers (and 2" bolts). Looks much better, rides good. Keeping it this way for a while.

 

[scoutll]

Tried both sides with 2 inch spacers, looked like a low rider. Re-did with 1 inch spacers (and 2" bolts). Looks much better, rides good. Keeping it this way for a while.

Before and after pictures???

 

[jvandyke]

Before and after pictures???

Having internet issues this weekend, lost my DSL at home and the connection at church is pretty terrible too, so this may or may not work.

 

[scoutll]

Yes, It looks pretty normal now. Good job.. Do you notice a big difference in driving it?

Looks about the same as mine now.

 

[jvandyke]

Yes, It looks pretty normal now. Good job.. Do you notice a big difference in driving it?

Looks about the same as mine now.

I've only driven it about 1/2 mile (no hood, no insurance) it felt fine, couldn't tell a difference in that short scoot, sure looks better though. Was an easy enough "fix". I'm glad the 1" was enough, 2" spacers and all that hanging below the A-arm as unnerving.

 

[bgbassplyr]

"and all that hanging below the A-arm as unnerving. "

Not if don't look.

 

[jvandyke]

"and all that hanging below the A-arm as unnerving. "

Not if don't look.

I just envisioned it scooping up all kinds of nasty stuff, road kill catcher....

 

[Pythias]

Someone asked about steering geometry. Having the car at the correct ride height helps keep all that in the "correct" relationship. .. NICE JOB..

 

[jvandyke]

Someone asked about steering geometry. Having the car at the correct ride height helps keep all that in the "correct" relationship. .. NICE JOB..

I'm wondering if the geometry were set up for the springs as they were. So I need to reset things again? Anyway, it sure looks a lot better. I'm getting near the end of my long winter to-do list and then the driving season starts.

Oh, when I had the spring "hanging loose" I tried to measure the free length, it seemed pretty close to 10".

 

[jvandyke]

Got a bit longer test ride in tonight. Definitely feels better on handling and no hitting bump stops or anything yet. Looks a TON better too. That wasn't too bad a "fix".

 

[lbc_newbie]

1" and 2" spacers sounds incredible... I only put 1/2" spacers in and it dropped it about an inch.... must be a difference between the earlier and later Midgets...Great looking stance. I'd like to see the "before" pics..

 

[jvandyke]

Yep, you seem to get about twice the drop as the size spacers you put in. The 1" are actually a bit too much. I probably should go back and do it again with 1/2".