Rear passenger spring getting hung up
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: North Florida
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 86 Berlinetta
Transmission: 700r4
Rear passenger spring getting hung up
Hi All,
I recently replaced the original springs on my car and the ride is much better, but the back passenger side spring is getting hung up on a lip above where the panhard bar bolts on.
In fact, the spring seems to be making contact at all times in this area. I tried to pay attention to the "clocking" of the bushing when I removed them. Is there something I could have overlooked during installation?
I'll try to snag a picture later this evening.
I recently replaced the original springs on my car and the ride is much better, but the back passenger side spring is getting hung up on a lip above where the panhard bar bolts on.
In fact, the spring seems to be making contact at all times in this area. I tried to pay attention to the "clocking" of the bushing when I removed them. Is there something I could have overlooked during installation?
I'll try to snag a picture later this evening.
#2
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 26,080
Received 1,678 Likes
on
1,274 Posts
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Rear passenger spring getting hung up
Photos definitely would help. Also the spring part #s and specs you're using.
#3
COTM Editor
iTrader: (22)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,910
Likes: 0
Received 1,857 Likes
on
1,272 Posts
Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
Re: Rear passenger spring getting hung up
I had 5 inch diameter springs with weight jacks. The springs were too short and flopped around when the axle drooped. A coil often got caught on the backside when dropping the car down from the air. I always had to put the car on jack stands and lift the axle up while guiding the spring by hand. The coil will clear once the spring is compressed enough and straightens out.
The problem went away when I installed longer springs that don't fall out of the pocket. I had to custom order those springs to my measurements.
The problem went away when I installed longer springs that don't fall out of the pocket. I had to custom order those springs to my measurements.
Last edited by QwkTrip; 10-15-2019 at 07:42 AM.
#4
Supreme Member
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 12,651
Likes: 0
Received 45 Likes
on
43 Posts
Car: 86 Trans Am, 92 Firebird
Engine: 408 sbc, 3.1L of raw power
Transmission: TKO600, T5
Axle/Gears: Moser 9", 3:70 trutac, 3:23 torsion
Re: Rear passenger spring getting hung up
Sounds like the top of the spring isnt seated in the pocket correctly.
#5
Re: Rear passenger spring getting hung up
Are you using the UMI weight Jack's?
Because I have the same issue on the passenger rear. (200lbs rear, 10.5in tall 5in spring)
It slightly falls out of the pocket and clunks back in when I'm going hard at the autocross.
That same side also doesn't seem to lower the car as much as the driver rear.
I can't go lower than 26in ground to fender, and a longer spring would keep my ride height too high.
Because I have the same issue on the passenger rear. (200lbs rear, 10.5in tall 5in spring)
It slightly falls out of the pocket and clunks back in when I'm going hard at the autocross.
That same side also doesn't seem to lower the car as much as the driver rear.
I can't go lower than 26in ground to fender, and a longer spring would keep my ride height too high.
#6
Member
Re: Rear passenger spring getting hung up
I have this same issue on my car, my spring rubs in the same spot. When you lower the car, the rear axle moves farther back due to the arc it follows. This is why the spring touches the panhard bar mount. The suspension was never designed to run low like this.
I have tubular lower control arms with rod-ends on them and I was able to screw the rod-ends farther in to shorten the control arms and bring the axle more forward. But when I did this, the sway bar end links got pushed to a really bad angle and messed up how how the sway works, so i had to move it back. I like the idea of moving the rear axle to where its supposed to be as it keeps the springs and shocks perpendicular with the axle, but its going to take relocating the chassis swaybar link pickups to get it done.
The font swaybar link pickups dont do well either when the car is lowered...
I have tubular lower control arms with rod-ends on them and I was able to screw the rod-ends farther in to shorten the control arms and bring the axle more forward. But when I did this, the sway bar end links got pushed to a really bad angle and messed up how how the sway works, so i had to move it back. I like the idea of moving the rear axle to where its supposed to be as it keeps the springs and shocks perpendicular with the axle, but its going to take relocating the chassis swaybar link pickups to get it done.
The font swaybar link pickups dont do well either when the car is lowered...
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: North Florida
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 86 Berlinetta
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Rear passenger spring getting hung up
Hi All,
Sorry for the late reply. Busy couple of weeks at work.
I solved the issue. I used variable rate springs when I replaced the originals thinking it would not make a difference in fitment...
Last night I installed the "regular" style springs and it no longer makes the annoying scrubbing/banging when I hit a bump. The variable springs coils were closer towards the top and were getting caught on the panhard mount.
Thanks,
Sorry for the late reply. Busy couple of weeks at work.
I solved the issue. I used variable rate springs when I replaced the originals thinking it would not make a difference in fitment...
Last night I installed the "regular" style springs and it no longer makes the annoying scrubbing/banging when I hit a bump. The variable springs coils were closer towards the top and were getting caught on the panhard mount.
Thanks,
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ThirdGenZ28 92
Suspension and Chassis
6
10-24-2002 08:10 AM