Hainsworth Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 Hi. I wonder if anyone can help. I purchased a GT6 Mk2 last year and I noticed when I jack the front end up my front springs are loose. When my front end is off the floor my springs measure ~8.1/2" whereas the extended length of the Gaz shock absorber is ~10". The ride height seems to be OK when the car is on the ground, but looking at some data I believe my springs should be more like 13" when fully extended, or maybe I have the wrong shock absorbers on it ?. Can anyone advise so I can correct this as it's a little tricky lowering the car back down holding springs in place so they mount correctly. It is also likely that the suspension is not performing as it should either Kind Regards Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glang Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 Sounds like you have shorter up rated springs. The dampers would probably work fine with standard springs as these are compressed a lot when fitting (so are never loose). Standard springs being softer would then compress down to give roughly the same ride height you have now. I don't like the idea of having loose springs as they could move under certain driving conditions so usually packers are used but of course this will affect ride height..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gt6s Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 All depends how loose they are If still in contact with both upper and lower platforms you are okay. Std lowered 330lb springs. If spring drops away from the top seat completely then they are illegal. Laurence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteStupps Posted May 9, 2019 Share Posted May 9, 2019 There have been other threads on this - I think the popular solution is to cable-tie the springs into the seat, to keep them located. I'm still using standard springs but have shorter ones on order. Came across people talking about the issue when researching spring & damper options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 1.5" difference is way too much - not a cable tie situation. Your springs were intended for use with dampers with adjustable spring seats or spacers. How low is the car? As Laurence says the "usual" up-rated springs are 330lb and about 10.5" free length. Factory springs are 220lb and considerably longer. Your (legal) choices are to get longer springs or dampers with adjustable spring seats. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hainsworth Posted May 17, 2019 Author Share Posted May 17, 2019 Thank you all for the replies. The car is not sitting any different than I would expect, but for sure it is very hard suspension, however I do not have a comparison !. Net conclusion is that my springs are too short, and nothing cable ties will resolve. I will therefore replace with standard ones, which I believe will put the ride as it should be. Thanks again Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 17, 2019 Share Posted May 17, 2019 The standard 220lb springs are a bit soft IMO. Springs around the 330/350lb and free length of 10 - 10.5" are a pretty good compromise and definitely not too hard. I've got 350/10.5" springs from Faulkners on my Vitesse with fixed-spring-seat Koni dampers, which give a nice ride. They can also just be fitted without needing spring compressors - unlike the std ones! Also worth noting that if you have Spax dampers they tend to have a very abrupt ride almost regardless of spring rating. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gt6s Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 As usual, in full agreement with Nick. You need the 330 lb 10.5 in length. MAKE CERTIAN THEY ARE 10.5. Some sellers will try to palm you off shorter ones. DO NOT BUY SHORTER. Laurence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hainsworth Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 Thanks Nick & Laurence. Good advise on the 330lb / 10.5" free length springs. I am on Gaz ride adjustable shocks, which seem to be set at mid point on the +/-, but once I am up running with new springs I can adjust that as needed to stiffen or soften things up a bit. I would rather not go too soft as regards springs and end up bouncing around. Regards Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobPearce Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 You're more likely to bounce on hard springs. Soft tends to wallow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glang Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 on bikes you work out the correct spring using 'sag' so that the the damper ends up sitting in the correct part of its movement range. If the spring is too hard for the weight of the bike and rider the damper will be extended too much so that it will top out when rebounding after absorbing a bump impact. Isnt this used or important on cars too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 The 330lb springs will be softer than the short ones you currently have, possibly quite alot softer. You'll probably want to turn the dampers down a bit to match, but as the Gaz ones can be adjusted on the car, experimentation is easy...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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