i have UMI a-arms and I am trying to install my front springs with the weight jacks, but I can't keep the spring indexed properly because it turns/slides in the spring pocket when I adjust the weight jacks. If I am able to get the ride height equal on both sides, but the springs are in different positions, should that be ok? Is the only reason to index your springs to achieve an equal ride height?

 

are you adjusting the jacks wit the car sitting on its wheels, or with the suspension hanging? should be on its wheels.

I had no problems with the springs turning, and i was able to keep the spring indexed.

I dont know enough about the springs to say if there would be a difference if they were installed differently or not, maybe somebody else will chime in.

 

what kind of weight jacks do you have? If the springs are not indexed properly, they might move then your ride heights will be off again.

 

They are Ground Control's weight jacks. I did not have the car sitting on the wheels, I guess I will try that and hopefully the spring stays in position.

Thanks guys.

 

not trying to be smart or rude but, how/why are you trying to set ride height with the car not sitting with the suspension loaded?

 

I was acutally going to get the adusters set to equal lengths on both sides, lower it to the ground, and see what height the car was at. If it wasn't where I wanted it, I was going to raise it up and make adustments until I reached a height I was satisfied with. I didn't know if adjusting the jacks while the wheels were on the ground would damage the threads, or if I would be able to even turn the adjuster with all of the weight on the wheels.

 

no damage, and it will turn fine. the jacks are greasable, if you dont have a grease gun, take the bolt out, grease it up and thread it back together.

 

If the jack bolts are steel and fine thread then I would say its ok to adjust with the weight of the car on them. It you are adjusting aluminum threads then no. With anything, pressure over time will reduce/sharper or possibly gull the threads. I always think its best if you have time to jack the car up and relieve pressure off the threads to make adjustments- then you will need to roll the car back 10-15ft and then forward again with the driver in cockpit to resettle the chassis. If car is running order? take it around the block and recheck rideheights in the same marked flat location.

As for indexing springs? Depends if you have srpings that require indexing on one or both ends. Some springs have flat ends at both ends and do not need indexing. The weight jack should be against a non-indexable spring end unless for some reason the weight jack has a spring index provision like the factory a-arm does. Do NOT use an index spring on a non-index flat mount- the ride height will vary if one side is at 0* and the other side is at 180* of a 360* total. Why? through articulation the index spring end will not sit flat on the weightjack. If the index part is out towards the wheel assembly the car will sit lower than if the index is inward towards the chassis pivot if an index spring is mounted on a non-index surface on a positive articulation. A negative articulation (above yerticle start point in articulation) will yeild opposite results.