How should I seat the rear spring after cutting it?

[Textra]

I have a 1989 240 wagon. Coilovers up front and I'm cutting the springs in the rear. My question is, once I cut the coils off, should I mount them just the way they came out? I read somewhere that you should switch it up so the big seat which is normally at the top is on the bottom? Any truth? And whats a decent amount of coils for being decently low? my sus[pension has basically no sag, so would 2.5 inches be okay? Thanks!

 

[Redwood Chair]

Q#1 = no

Q#2 = no

Q#3 = no

Cut 1.5 turns, and your bumpstops.


NB:
The tip of the pigtail points the opposite direction on a cut spring.

 

[slowboost744]

Good reference:
http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=263996

 

[towerymt]

If pigtail springs, cut the opposite end from the pigtail and reinstall with the pigtail on the bottom, as is the stock configuration.

You would only use another upper seat bolted to the trailing arm if you were using standard type springs (not pigtail). Looks like this (seatbelt added to restrict droop travel to keep the spring between the seats):

http://www.pbase.com/towerymt/image/114616581

 

[Textra]

And my last question! Is there anything keeping the spring from falling out of the top seat after I cut it? I know I should have the correct size strut but for the time being is there a temporary solution that will keep it on the seat if I have to jack the car up being that the dead coil was cut off?

 

[Redwood Chair]

And my last question! Is there anything keeping the spring from falling out of the top seat after I cut it?

NO.

I know I should have the correct size strut but for the time being is there a temporary solution that will keep it on the seat if I have to jack the car up being that the dead coil was cut off?

If pigtail springs, cut the opposite end from the pigtail and reinstall with the pigtail on the bottom, as is the stock configuration.

You would only use another upper seat bolted to the trailing arm if you were using standard type springs (not pigtail). Looks like this (seatbelt added to restrict droop travel to keep the spring between the seats):

http://www.pbase.com/towerymt/image/114616581

 

[doucheNozzle]

NO.

We need one size bigger for some people.

 

[fortbrick]

NO.

How's this?

 

[Mueller]

Why spend the money on coilovers up front and do a half-ass job by using cut rear springs that you are just guessing the spring rate?

 

[Redwood Chair]

NO.

How's this?

http://www.pbase.com/towerymt/image/114616581

<leik-dat-dere

 

[Redwood Chair]

Why spend the money on coilovers up front and do a half-ass job by using cut rear springs that you are just guessing the spring rate?

Since when do spring rates make a difference to the crippled suspension crowd?

But since you asked how..

http://www.pontiacracing.net/js_coil_spring_rate.htm

 

[Mueller]

Since when do spring rates make a difference to the crippled suspension crowd?

But since you asked how..

http://www.pontiacracing.net/js_coil_spring_rate.htm

And whats a decent amount of coils for being decently low?

He doesn't care

 

[Redwood Chair]

He doesn't care

Define decently low...

 

[Mueller]

Define decently low...

Enough to impress the unemployed tattooed youth and irk the old guys like us

 

[Redwood Chair]

Do The Limbo

Enough to impress the unemployed tattooed youth and irk the old guys like us

It doesn't bother me at all.

Actually I find it kind of amusing to watch them flail about trying to be just as cool as the next kid doing the same thing.

 

[centason]

It doesn't bother me at all.

Actually I find it kind of amusing to watch them flail about trying to be just as cool as the next kid doing the same thing.

Flail like Ace Ventura flail?

 

[badvlvo]

Why spend the money on coilovers up front and do a half-ass job by using cut rear springs that you are just guessing the spring rate?

Works pretty good for me.
400lb coil overs up front, cut IPD in the rear. Kept going lower on the front and trimming the rear to match until the balance was just right, and the car does quite well autocrossing.

 

[classicswede]

And my last question! Is there anything keeping the spring from falling out of the top seat after I cut it? QUOTE]

Install a correct length damper to retain the spring.

 

[volvoboy90]

I did 2 coils cut off of my rear springs, and the shocks keep the axle from traveling to the point where the springs unseat. I can have the axle in full droop and all is well.