Coil Spring Installation Question

[gedmeyer]

Is there a specific end that has to go on the top for the coil springs? On my springs, it looks like one end has slightly more space between the coils then the other end. So which end should go in the top?

thanks,
tim

 

[Johan]

"Space" downwards, and the "closer" coils upwards.

 

[gedmeyer]

what would be the problem if they were installed upside down? I might have done so. Everything seemed to fit OK.

 

[Johan]

Dunno. The spring force is the same both ways ofcourse.
One thing though, the end of the spring is supposed to be at a certain position (angle), because the "tip" of the coil fits in a "pocket". Dont know if this is at both top and bottom (upper mounting and lower a-arm), but if so, then it might not be correct if you turn it upside down, depending on how the "tips" are positioned wrt each other on the coil (cant remember this either).

 

[gedmeyer]

I looked in the assembly manual and service manual and neither mentioned anything about an orientation WRT top or bottom. All that was shown in both was that the endof the spring has to be 0.38" from the stop. From the diagram, it would take it that it was measured at the stop in the top (there was a stop in the bottom too, but there was not mention of this in the manuals). So I'm not sure. I probably should have investigated tihs a little further before taking a leap of faith and installing them.

I'm not sure if it matters, but there wasn't a tremendous difference between the two ends of the spring, but there was some.

Anyone been in the same boat as me?

 

[Robin7TFour]

HELLO, by putting the closer windings towards the bottom you have effectively made the initial spring action slightly harder. the tighter the wind the more pressure it takes to compress. thus. a stiffer(slightly) ride.
the proper orientation helps keep the vehicle from bottoming-out on the rubber snubber. properly situated the spring compresses to its normal rate as the vehicle gets closer to bottoming out, the tighter coils help stiifen the ratio to avoid the big boom!

hope this helps

robin

 

[gedmeyer]

Do you really think there is going to be a big difference if I left them in as is? Like I said, it didn't appear that there was a large difference between the two ends.

 

[MaineShark]

For what it's worth...

When I took my springs out, I wasn't sure if orientation mattered, so I checked for an orientation mark. The bottom coil had a small notch ground into it, maybe an inch or so from the end. I put it back in the same way.

Joe

 

[Robin7TFour]

G , there won't be a big difference . you may get a slightly stiifer ride.but shouldn't be real noticeable.

robin

 

[Johan]

robin,
The orientation cannot possibly affect the stiffness, can it? As long as the spring is attached at its top and bottom, and nowhere else, there force will be the same however you turn it. Consider if you would mount the spring in a big vise. The force needed to compress it would be exactly the same if you would shift the orientation, right?

 

[RLE80L48]

The spring rate is the same. I just fixed mine. YEAH BABY Vette brakes mono spring set up. Can't wait to drive the bad girl. Anyone need a set of coils?

 

[gedmeyer]

That's what I tend to think. If the springs had a specific orientation, I don't udnerstand why the service manual wouldn't have said something (unless they are aftermarket, which i didn't think they were.)

 

[GTR1999]

What about the aftermarket springs,they don't have any difference between the coil ends?

 

[gedmeyer]

If they were aftermarket, I wouldn't know what was on there. I just got the car last May. I'm just trying to figure out if it would be worth the effort to turn em around.

 

[Robin7TFour]

JOHAN, in a vice the spring will appear to compress the same. however, the wider windings will move first,sometimes hardly preceptable but it does move first.
the idea of correct orientation is to allow a smooth transgression on intial bump. then tighten up and stiffen as the control arm reaches the tighter windings.
so as your driving a small pot-hole or bump doesn't effect the car as much. a larger on will be more noticable (and jarring) because the arm reaches the tighter coils preventing bottoming out


02

robin

 

[Robin7TFour]

also the question on aftermarket coils. if they are a straight rate spring there will be no difference in the windings. a progressive rate coil will be tighter at one end.


robin

 

[Johan]

robin,
yes, it is correct that the wider coils will be compressed first, but this will happen regardless of wich end is up or down. When the spring is compressed (when you hit a bump), you will apply exactly the same force to both ends, so it cannot possibly affect the stiffness.

 

[brusso]

I think that reason for the "need" for the wider spaced coils down is because the bottom of the spring rests on the constantly moving lower A arm and the top supports the fixed spring mount welded to the frame.

 

[gedmeyer]

as long as it's a "need" vs. a need. haha. There didn't appear to be a difference in the diameter of the spring between the ends, just in a slight progressive spacing difference. I have a picture that i'll try to post later.

 

[cwerve74]

Do not know the logic of why the wider spaced coils are down but my GM assembly manul has this as a specific check on the spring installed at the factory. My book is for a 1974. So it might have changed over the years to 1981. I am getting ready to start that project and I will be checking my springs prior to assembly. 2 questions . When you put the car down was the ride height correct? What springs did you install. (spring rate and vendor)?