Okay well I found out today that the rear spring rate is 250lbers. I guess that is nothing that should be that hard or anything. And Nashco felt my car at the 20th and said it felt rock hard, not any movement in the suspension at all. Now with this being said, he thinks something is seriously wrong with my suspension being that hard with 250lb springs. I dont think there is anything wrong at all. I think I may have some really stiff struts or something. I mean I have poly all around and so forth, but I mean how would I know or tell if I am hitting the bump stops? I just want to figure this out, as I dont think anything is wrong at all with my suspension on the rear or anywhere else. I might, I really might have different spring rates than I think, but the chrome ring around my Held blue springs says 250 on it, which does indeed mean the spring rates right? Let me know guys.

-Amir

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Maroon 1987 GT 5 spd: 2.8L
Ferrari Red 1988 Formula 5 spd: 3.4L

My Website: http://www.members.cox.net/rare88/

What kinda struts are these?

Poly bushings really do stiffen up the suspension, which is why most people install them. Although I've never rode in your car, I've seen you driving it several times and I don't recall noticing anything wrong with it. I spent a lot of work and cash getting my Fiero's suspension firmed up. A sports car is supposed to have a stiff suspension. It's unlikely it's hitting the bump stops if you are nice and tight like you described, but check the rubber on the bump stops to see if it's all scuff up.

Like Amir said, I tried to jounce his suspension at the 20th, and it was absolutely solid. My car has 325# springs and all poly, and when I bounce on it I get a little less than an inch of travel (going by memory). His car didn't seem to move even a quarter of an inch, and without looking at the springs I told him it must have 500+ pound springs.

Looking at the pictures in the Amir's build, I can see the springs are comparable to mine with slightly wire size, which would make sense if they're labeled 250. So, that makes me think perhaps he's resting on the stops.

I'd have to check out my suspension to see how far I am from the stops, but I know you were about an inch lower than me and I'm about 1.5-2" lower than stock. These are just ballpark numbers, of course.

I'm really busy, but when I get a chance I'll take a look.

Bryce
88 GT

quote Originally posted by Nashco: Like Amir said, I tried to jounce his suspension at the 20th, and it was absolutely solid. My car has 325# springs and all poly, and when I bounce on it I get a little less than an inch of travel (going by memory). His car didn't seem to move even a quarter of an inch, and without looking at the springs I told him it must have 500+ pound springs. Looking at the pictures in the Amir's build, I can see the springs are comparable to mine with slightly wire size, which would make sense if they're labeled 250. So, that makes me think perhaps he's resting on the stops. I'd have to check out my suspension to see how far I am from the stops, but I know you were about an inch lower than me and I'm about 1.5-2" lower than stock. These are just ballpark numbers, of course. I'm really busy, but when I get a chance I'll take a look. Bryce 88 GT

Is it bad to be resting on the bump stops? I dont see how it is. Let me know....

If the car is resting on the bump stops when it's parked... then that's bad. Guess you'll have to turn the steering wheel all the way to one side and stick your head under the car to visually check.

Alternately, jack it up and look at the bump stops... it should be obvious if it's been banging. I would think just driving the car would tell you if you were hitting the bump stops all the time.

My Fiero is rock solid too. Push down on it and it'll barely move. I have poly bushings all around with ST sport lowering springs in front and 350# coil-over springs in the rear.

quote Originally posted by Rare87GT: Is it bad to be resting on the bump stops? I dont see how it is. Let me know....

Yes, resting on the bump stops is not good for the car. The bump stops are the last bit of dampening available before you get a "solid" suspension. The bump stops are just a piece of rubber/poly, after you squish them the frame and suspension parts are taking all of the load from bumps. Imagine how long your frame and control arms would last if you welded it all solidly together! Of course, it's also a lot harder on things like ball joints.

I'll be able to take a look in the next couple of days, I'm curious myself where the rear bump stops come into play. Your front is all custom, so I don't know what they do for bumpstops there.

Bryce
88 GT

With 250lb springs and the suspension is in a bind I would say that either the car is resting on the bumpstops or the struts and shocks are over adjusted ( Say, a set of Koni's set to 10 )

I dont know what to say really, I dont see anything out of whack on my rear end or anything inside the fender wells. I have everything out of the car right now. I have rear struts that are White? Are those Gabriels? I was going to say how are they so stiff then. I just dont think its resting on the stops. If you guys can tell me, I can take a picture of it while my suspension and everything is out of the rear. Something on the shocks are set to stiff on the rear, but I dont think I can adjust them is the problem. I have 3 settings on my front Carrera shocks. Let me know guys as I just wanted to figure this out before it all goes back together with the engine.

-Amir

You keep saying you don't think it's resting on the stops...have you taken a look at the stops? Why do you think you're not on the stops?

Have you tried finding any label or stamping on the strut to see what kind of strut it is? FYI, I believe the koni adjustable struts have an allen head adjustment screw in the top of the strut (where the end of the attachment thread is), something worth checking. Konis are usually red/orange, but it's possible yours were painted, or a different model than I'm used to seeing. I believe Gabriels are usually white.

Bryce
88 GT

KYB's are also white - but still we're just speculating here, your gonna have to get the wheels off and check it all out.

Someone complained in another thread a while back that Held had supplied a strut in locked position and installed it that way....

Something worth looking at?

The KYB's in the Finale are silver on the back struts, white shocks on the front.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by West Coast Fiero: KYB's are also white - but still we're just speculating here, your gonna have to get the wheels off and check it all out.

quote Originally posted by fierogt88: Someone complained in another thread a while back that Held had supplied a strut in locked position and installed it that way.... Something worth looking at?

That would suck!