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Healey 100 Front Springs

Editor_Reid

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I'm frustrated. When my blue 100 (shown in the small photo below my signature) got re-restored, we/they installed a pair of used front coil springs to replace the ones that were on the car. The ones that were on the car were probably the originals, but one had a couple of odd metal spacers/blocks inserted between two of the coils -- as if to prevent them from compressing -- and so it was diagnosed as bad. So we cleaned up a used pair, got them power-coated all real nice, and installed them.

Anyway, the front of the car was sitting very high with those used originals installed. And I don't mean just a little high; I mean high like there was no engine installed. Very strange. Stranger yet, when we pulled them off, they were probably over an inch taller than a bunch of other originals that the restorer has -- same "wire diameter" and same number of coils, just elongated. Anyway, we thought, "Great, that's the problem -- easy fix."

So, I bought a new pair, of whatever they are selling nowadays, from a well-known parts supplier. Unfortunately they have a greater wire diameter AND they also have about 1 1/2 more coils, all within the same height as originals (of the correct height). Obviously this will make them much stronger than originals. But, we thought that maybe since they were at least the correct height, it would lower the front end to an acceptable height.

However, with these newly supplied, “reproduction” springs installed, the front end now sits exactly as high as it did on the old, elongated ones. So I'm wondering, has anyone out there in BCF-land changed their BN2 front springs to new ones that gave the correct-appearing front-end height? If so, where'd you get 'em? Thanks.
 
HI Reid, those new springs you have are significantly stronger than the smaller diameter originals. I think based on my experience with other type cars with coilsprings problems, you may have to take the car after driving around for about six months to an ADCO spring facility or similar custom spring manufacturer and have them cut to establish the correct ride height.Alternatively,in the interim there are complimentary cludges that can be temporarily installed on the springs which will allow a controlled collapse of two adjacent spring coils.---Fwiw---Keoke
 
Hi Reid,
How much too high is the front. You can lower the front a bit by installing spacers between the spring pans & the A arms. About 1/2" of spacer will lower the car about 1". After the springs settle, you might be able to remove the spacers.
D
 
Here's a kit for lowering the front, by Denis Welch. It uses spacers for the spring pans and larger ones to raise the rubber buffer.

FYI...

loweringkitfrontfs.jpg
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'm frustrated. So I'm wondering, has anyone out there in BCF-land changed their BN2 front springs to new ones that gave the correct-appearing front-end height? If so, where'd you get 'em? Thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]
---- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif Reid;

----- NO!---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
----- NO!---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Keoke, we can always count on you... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
How we use to do it. Put a floor jack under the pan, have someone set on the fender till you get the height right, raise jack to hold the bottom. Apply tourch to the spring till the person can get off the fender without the car raising up.

How's that for a trick. I know, I know, sucks but it works. Heck we knew nothing about handleing.
 
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