rear suspension

[ThunderBat]

my Lummie seems to be suffering from a case of the saggy butt...I just got off the phone with a local spring shop here in Richmond and they want like $675 to replace the rear monospring or about$200 for a helper spring kit...he also said no one makes lowering springs for the front of my car. Now based on some of the things I've already read on this site I'd have to say thats hogwash. I know we've probably covered a lot of this ground before but just for info sake I'd like your feedback for options here. I know the FFP rear coil-overs are one option but I'd like to find a cheaper route right now...it seems to me that lowering the front to achieve a level ride height should be an option...has anyone here done the same thing?...or does the rear suspension need attention for just carrying luggage and people in the back? We had a decent load of luggage and my step-daughter in the back on our recent jaunt to PA and back and there didnt seem to be any bumper dragging going on...does this weak rear spring affect rear wheel alignment...like throwing off the camber and eating up the inside of the rear tires?

Theres gotta be a better fix for less than $700 bucks!

[Redfox340]

...he also said no one makes lowering springs for the front of my car.

 

You haven't look into JC Whitney and find lowering springs for the 1995 - 1999 MC's have you?

Those will fit; someone spot check me on that... right GnatGoSplat?

 

I know the FFP rear coil-overs are one option but I'd like to find a cheaper route right now...

 

You *could* just find a used one in a local yard and install yourself.

The servive manual says you'll need a special tool, but you can around that.

 

Theres gotta be a better fix for less than $700 bucks!

 

Yes, there is and the coil-overs will work for you.

FFP's test cars have had significant rear loads and nothing has broke on them.

Ask local owners of them too; I've never seen a bad post about them.

 

Personally, if you're ever wanting to upgrade, now's the time to do so.

Don't take an intermediate step and waste extra cash that can be applied to what you want.

Do you what you want and run with it!

 

- Erik

[phantomFE3]

...he also said no one makes lowering springs for the front of my car.

 

You haven't look into JC Whitney and find lowering springs for the 1995 - 1999 MC's have you?

Those will fit; someone spot check me on that... right GnatGoSplat?

 

I know the FFP rear coil-overs are one option but I'd like to find a cheaper route right now...

 

You *could* just find a used one in a local yard and install yourself.

The servive manual says you'll need a special tool, but you can around that.

 

Theres gotta be a better fix for less than $700 bucks!

 

Yes, there is and the coil-overs will work for you.

FFP's test cars have had significant rear loads and nothing has broke on them.

Ask local owners of them too; I've never seen a bad post about them.

 

Personally, if you're ever wanting to upgrade, now's the time to do so.

Don't take an intermediate step and waste extra cash that can be applied to what you want.

Do you what you want and run with it!

 

- Erik

 

lets say i wanted to put the stock springs from the MC in the front of my car, would it lower it all? or would i have to get the aftermarket lowering ones to notice a difference in the ride height

[Black90Euro]

my Lummie seems to be suffering from a case of the saggy butt...I just got off the phone with a local spring shop here in Richmond and they want like $675 to replace the rear monospring or about$200 for a helper spring kit...he also said no one makes lowering springs for the front of my car. Now based on some of the things I've already read on this site I'd have to say thats hogwash. I know we've probably covered a lot of this ground before but just for info sake I'd like your feedback for options here. I know the FFP rear coil-overs are one option but I'd like to find a cheaper route right now...it seems to me that lowering the front to achieve a level ride height should be an option...has anyone here done the same thing?...or does the rear suspension need attention for just carrying luggage and people in the back? We had a decent load of luggage and my step-daughter in the back on our recent jaunt to PA and back and there didnt seem to be any bumper dragging going on...does this weak rear spring affect rear wheel alignment...like throwing off the camber and eating up the inside of the rear tires?

 

 

Theres gotta be a better fix for less than $700 bucks!

 

Well I bought some MOOG K-6000 spring helpers for about $65 bucks and it fixed my saggy butt/tire rub. I had to trim them off about 1/4 to 1/2 inch to lower the rear. but they worked. I was looking to at the FFP parts and my in time get them but for the money and ease of install you can't beat them ... as for the lowering of the front I haven't looked but they're are some lowering springs , but I can't remember where I saw/read about them ...

Peace Mark

 

link to the MOOG site -- http://www.federal-mogul.com/cda/content/front/0,2194,2442_13853_15963,00.html PDF file shows how they work

[supreme_style21]

Yeah I'd use those Moog parts. I've used 'em before and it worked miracles.

[RedZMonte]

suspension techiniques front lowering springs from JCWhitney for the 1995-99 fit our car. i think i payed $88 for mine. (1.5" drop in the front) the rear sits about 1.3" from sagging. it looks very good. a tiny bit of a rake but i like it. but for the most part it sits very close to level.

 

 

 

remember to get an alignment after you lower the front or you will wear the tires out prematurely.

 

 

Shane

[J]

if i wanted to do like a 2-2.5 inch drop in the front how much do i have to cut off? Thanks Jay

[Guest TurboSedan]

i'm cutting 1/4 coil off of the bottom of each front spring for starters.

joshua

[J]

let me know how that turns out. thanks Jay

[joey b]

cutting springs! you fuckin ricers. You take the spring out. Jay, you live in D-town. You take it to a place that makes springs, I know there is one there. You say, "I need this resistance but 2.5 inches shorter" They charge you too much money and give you one.

[Guest TurboSedan]

what's ricer about it? it doesn't hurt the spring. it's not like taking a torch to it. other people here have done it, including BowtieKid i think, who owns FFP.

joshua

[slick]

As long as you don't take a torch to it, you should be fine. But, when you cut the springs, you need to make sure that there all equal length.

[godofthunder]

Richmond sucks when it comes to fixing cars less you knowsomeone!

 

Ill ask my dad tongiht what a job like thats worth at his shop. Hes on broad street Close to Willow Lawn

 

Jon

[GnatGoSplat]

what's ricer about it? it doesn't hurt the spring. it's not like taking a torch to it. other people here have done it, including BowtieKid i think, who owns FFP.

joshua

 

My Suspension Tech springs don't look like they could be easily cut without altering the diameter of the bottom-most coil.

Am I wrong? Who has tried cutting the ST springs, and is it better to cut out of the top or bottom?

I'd like to get my car lower than the usual 1" that 3.1 owners see (3.4 owners get more drop because their engine weighs a ton more).

[cutsup1996]

xtremelumina92, we don't say soda. we say pop you yankee. :flip: (says with a jovial tone)

[Guest TurboSedan]

I'd like to get my car lower than the usual 1" that 3.1 owners see (3.4 owners get more drop because their engine weighs a ton more).

 

that is exactly the problem i think. the front springs are from TDC.com, and were designed to lower a DOHC car. i have a much lighter 3.1, and a Getrag 282 that is ALOT lighter than the automatic. i seem to remember BowtieKid (i'm pretty sure it was him) say that he had ST springs and cut from the bottom. wish he would post....

joshua

[joey b]

ok, so lets say that roughly 1000lbs sits as a load on your front spring. And let's also say that you have 4 coils. Each wrap of the coil cushions 250 lbs. If you remove a coil you are only cushioning for 750 total pounds. This will make for a softer ride. HOWEVER, you are riding at a lower level and when it cushions down it won't have as much room to travel. With me? Don't do it. BTW Jay, after dropping 5 G's into your car, I'd be pretty pissed if I hit a bump and my car dropped farther than it should and completely fucked up my front end.

[GnatGoSplat]

joey, you've got it backwards. If you chop a coil, the spring gets STIFFER.

[Guest TurboSedan]

but my car MUST sit lower i'm not going to slam it, i just want (need) it to sit another 1" lower. if you look at my sig pic i think i can easily go down another 1" and use 225/55's instead of 225/60s like i have now. i probably wouldn't cut more that 1/2 coil off each spring. if it turns out bad (ride quality or otherwise) i guess i'll be throwing $80 on some new ST front springs.

 

joshua

[J]

xtremelumina92, we don't say soda. we say pop you yankee. :flip: (says with a jovial tone)

lol

[godofthunder]

ok...call me stupid..

 

i talked to my dad about the rear spring today. He said there usualy is no reason to replace it unless it is damaged...its usualally the Struts that are bad.

 

I dont really know what all this means though. He said he hasnt done one since he worked for Chevy (early 90s)

 

jon

[getragz34]

The only problem cutting the springs on a car that has a tappered spring is when you put a load on it they don't sit straight anymore. So there will be an alignment issue. THe Lumina Z34 does not really have an alignment adjustment, you can make it adjustable but requires some time and knowledge.

I wanted to cut mine as well but it was not recommended, so i will replace them with proper spring.

The fact about cutting springs is that it does become stiffer, but you compromise unsprung weight. This means your car will sit lower and give you the impression of a harder and siffer ride. In reality the spring pressure gets distorted and has to accomidate for one less spring.

The spring load and all characteristics of the spring change. The corner loads and front breaking dive will be compromised.

If you have been in a car that has cut springs, first thing you will notice is that it bounces like your on a pogo stick.. Short and fast.

This is because the spring load has change to a different hight and now the spring rate has to be taken up with a lesser coil.

 

Not saying not to cut the srping, but alot of things will change in ride that you might not like. After a time the springs will give out and the ride will become very crappy.

Its a cheap and nasty way to go, but good looks will be a result.

If you don't care to much about the ride and are after looks then go for it. I would recomend to buy newer springs and cut them.

 

Ciao

[Guest TurboSedan]

The only problem cutting the springs on a car that has a tappered spring is when you put a load on it they don't sit straight anymore.

 

i have noticed that it looks like i could cut 1 full coil off the bottom of the spring before the spring got any narrower (due to the taper). i only want to cut 1/2 coil off the end of the spring - the spring end would sit in a different place of couse, but couldn't i just turn the bottom spring mount to match it? i only plan on 1/2 coil at most, would even 1/2 coil really mess things up? trying to lower a W-body sucks ass!

joshua

[joey b]

You take the spring out. Jay, you live in D-town. You take it to a place that makes springs, I know there is one there. You say, "I need this resistance but 2.5 inches shorter" They charge you too much money and give you one.

[Guest TurboSedan]

You take the spring out. Jay, you live in D-town. You take it to a place that makes springs, I know there is one there. You say, "I need this resistance but 2.5 inches shorter" They charge you too much money and give you one.

 

:?: