While rebuilding the front end I cut a single coil off the bottom of each front coil spring. I left the UCA and LCA bushing bolts loose until after loading them and I still have a 4x4. I made sure the ends of the coils fit in the groove of the LCA. Can not figure it out.
Ideas?
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01:29 PM
PFF
System Bot
fierobrian Member
Posts: 2976 From: aurora il 60505 Registered: Sep 2003
The 88s are notorious for riding high in the front. Four fingers is about normal for stock height. One coil cut is giving you it looks like 3 fingers. It might settle a little bit more, but if you go any lower on cut springs you run the risk of rubbing on big bumps.
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04:39 PM
Raydar Member
Posts: 40730 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
I heeded your previous warning and made sure the tops and bottoms of the springs were properly seated. Looking at your pics, raydar, I think mine looks like yours did right after cutting. It just looks a bit worse as my color is brighter and it highlights the dark area between the tire and the yellow fender. Hopefully it will settle out like yours did.
[This message has been edited by sjmaye (edited 09-22-2007).]
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07:06 PM
SLOWnSTEADY Member
Posts: 1706 From: Hiawatha, IA Registered: Jul 2005
225/45/17 with i full coil of the back and two full coils off the front (one of top and one off bottom) i didnt cut anything else or do anythign else at all, just hacked off the coils... I wanted a little rake (the rear is about 1.5"-2" higher then the front) to mine so i didnt drop the rear too much. I was also trying to keep the front a little up their because i want to get a "closed mouth" chin spoiler from fierowarehouse.com someday...
YEAH, the inner wheel wells are out as i was planning to paint the car. Plus i decided to redo them flat black, i think they look pretty good on the car. Also i do need to do something about the rotors, i think i will get some of those dealios that go on behind the rims to hide it all... the 11.25" brakes looked good when new but of course they get rusty quick...
[This message has been edited by SLOWnSTEADY (edited 09-22-2007).]
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08:05 PM
Sep 23rd, 2007
sjmaye Member
Posts: 2468 From: Hendersonville, TN USA Registered: Jun 2003
I have an old 1986 Plain Jane notchback 2.5 stick shift. If I take one coil off of each spring how much lower will it ride?
Thanks Joe Crawford Texas
Joe. With the full weight of the car on the wheels, look at the distance between one coil and the next. That's approximately how much it will drop. Actually, I believe it won't be quite that much, as the spring rate will increase a bit due to the reduced number of coils. The remaining coils will tend to sit just a little further apart, for the same load. If I'm wrong, I'm sure that somebody will speak up. They have never been shy, in the past.
If your end coil runs back into the next coil (spring is flat on the end) then cutting that coil off will have less of an effect.
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 09-24-2007).]
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10:23 PM
josef644 Member
Posts: 6939 From: Dickinson, Texas USA Registered: Nov 2006
Ok you cut one layer off of it, so that the new "end" is about the same spot that it was before the cut? Anything else I need to know before I ruin 4 good springs?
Thanks for the info guys
Joe Crawford Texas
[This message has been edited by josef644 (edited 09-24-2007).]
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11:11 PM
Sep 25th, 2007
Raydar Member
Posts: 40730 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
Ok you cut one layer off of it, so that the new "end" is about the same spot that it was before the cut? Anything else I need to know before I ruin 4 good springs?
Thanks for the info guys
Joe Crawford Texas
Don't use a torch. Or anyting else that will transfer a lot of heat into the wire. It will take the temper out of the spring. I used a cutoff wheel to cut mine.
I may be wrong but doesnt cutting the coils mess up your suspension??
I have a couple buddies who did that to their cars and now the front wheels sit like this ---> // \\
It sucks for them cuz the tires dont sit on the ground properly and they just wear out the inside treads. Not to mention that it must cause other componets to wear quicker.
Im talking about a civic and an integra....do Fiero's have a stronger suspension design?
Obviously ppl have done this. Has it caused any problems?
I may be wrong but doesnt cutting the coils mess up your suspension??
I have a couple buddies who did that to their cars and now the front wheels sit like this ---> // \\
It sucks for them cuz the tires dont sit on the ground properly and they just wear out the inside treads. Not to mention that it must cause other componets to wear quicker.
Im talking about a civic and an integra....do Fiero's have a stronger suspension design?
Obviously ppl have done this. Has it caused any problems?
I can't understand how cutting the springs on a Fiero could do this, mechanically. The orientation of the wheel is dictated by the upper & lower control arms and spindle.
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05:17 AM
InaneCathode Member
Posts: 176 From: Golden CO, USA Registered: Jul 2007
Because they are unequal length swing arms is why they sit all cocked up after you're done 'lowering' it. I seriously doubt if someone doesn't have the time or energy to get a lowering kit they could possibly be bothered with getting the car properly aligned with an alignment kit.
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07:39 AM
fierosound Member
Posts: 15147 From: Calgary, Canada Registered: Nov 1999
I may be wrong but doesnt cutting the coils mess up your suspension?? I have a couple buddies who did that to their cars and now the front wheels sit like this ---> // \\
Just need a 4-wheel alignment afterwards to get everything adjusted back to spec. You'll likely need the MOOG "problem solver" upper ball joints for the front with the slotted mounting holes for greater adjustment range.
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3.4L S/C 87 GT www.fierosound.com 2002/2003/2004 World of Wheels Winner & Multiple IASCA Stereo Award Winner
[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 09-26-2007).]