Lowered Spring Chat***Split from LCA Mod thread***

[Matthew]

Originally Posted by cliffschmucker

A bit off-track from this thread, but an example of this is the "myth" that lowering springs have to "settle in" after installation - the reason that some cars seem to be "high" for a while after installing lowering springs is that the suspension was tightened down while fully extended (this means that the car is actually being supported by the bushings until they yield a few weeks later) - it is a bit of a pain, but it is better to tighten/torque the suspension with the car resting on the wheels. (Patrick has some photos of this.)

Cliff,

I would love to hear your thoughts on why my car was sitting so high after installing Rob Grady's front lowering springs (stock rear springs). Take a look at this video and skip to 2:24. Note that in this video, none of the suspension bolts have been tightened or even threaded more than 2 or 3 threads - not even finger tight. There are polyurethane bushings all around, and the gas tank is near empty.

If the springs don't need to settle, I don't know what else it could be. 6 months later, without tightening any bolts, and without moving the car, it sits noticeably lower. I will post pictures when I can. This video is from July 25, 2009.

[cliffschmucker]

Originally Posted by Matthew

Cliff,

If the springs don't need to settle, I don't know what else it could be. 6 months later, without tightening any bolts, and without moving the car, it sits noticeably lower. I will post pictures when I can. This video is from July 25, 2009.

Matt, hmmm, interesting! Whose shocks are you using? I suspect that there is something else involved here. How does the current height compare to that with the original stock springs? During the six month period have you added any additional weight to the car (like interior, seats, inspection panels, etc)?

My experience with various Deloreans, various spring kits (including Grady's), & various bushings is no "settling" after installation.

Properly designed springs for a given application should not "settle". If they do, they have been stressed beyond their design load yield point into the plastic (non-linear) region where deformation occurs (will not return to the original dimension).

I need to finish up my Delorean spring testing project and article - Ken Koncelik has been bugging me to have it ready for the next (last?) issue of DCS Magazine. Lots of interesting observations.....

Cliff

[DMCEU Ed]

I can putt some extra info to this, if you remove the foam bumper on the front.
You will see a orange sticker with a number, this is a indication on the body mould that was used. The difference was real big, so they did mark the body’s.
If you use one size of springs you will see there is more thane 2 inch difference in height.
The factory did use 2 type off springs one set has yellow and the other has red paint.
This was to compensate the difference, so with lower springs you will see still difference between the cars. A normal spring will stay on it height, if it lowers you have a bad spring.
Retune it to the supplier, A spring that lower it self well not stop lowering.
We did see lot off uk springs go bad and even brake. (I not speak a bout Martin his springs).
With this I have no experience.

Regards Ed Uding
www.delorean.eu

[DCUK Martin]

Originally Posted by DMCEU Ed

We did see lot off uk springs go bad and even brake. (I not speak a bout Martin his springs).

Thanks Ed

I had mine made simply because I too kept seeing springs that had sagged or broken.

However, springs -do- settle a little over time. Mine carry instructions to torque with weight on the car, and to loosen and re-torque after a certain period - this is to release any pre-load in the bushes as the springs settle.

[vwdmc16]

Originally Posted by DMCEU Ed

I can putt some extra info to this, if you remove the foam bumper on the front.
You will see a orange sticker with a number, this is a indication on the body mould that was used. The difference was real big, so they did mark the body’s.
If you use one size of springs you will see there is more thane 2 inch difference in height.
The factory did use 2 type off springs one set has yellow and the other has red paint.
This was to compensate the difference, so with lower springs you will see still difference between the cars. A normal spring will stay on it height, if it lowers you have a bad spring.
Retune it to the supplier, A spring that lower it self well not stop lowering.
We did see lot off uk springs go bad and even brake. (I not speak a bout Martin his springs).
With this I have no experience.

Regards Ed Uding
www.delorean.eu

i dont quite understand thiss, when i took my front end apart i found no stickers, also my front endi is about 1" high than most stock cars

[Patrick C]

Originally Posted by vwdmc16

i dont quite understand thiss, when i took my front end apart i found no stickers, also my front endi is about 1" high than most stock cars

It *should* be behind the foam bumper behind the front fascia. Did you remove that portion too?

[Matthew]

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...o/eae84f2c.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...o/31cea750.jpg

This is my car after sitting 7 months. Sorry i couldnt format properly. Im on my iphone.

[vwdmc16]

Originally Posted by Patrick C

It *should* be behind the foam bumper behind the front fascia. Did you remove that portion too?

this is the best picture i have

[cliffschmucker]

Originally Posted by DMCEU Ed

I can putt some extra info to this, if you remove the foam bumper on the front.
You will see a orange sticker with a number, this is a indication on the body mould that was used. The difference was real big, so they did mark the body’s.
If you use one size of springs you will see there is more thane 2 inch difference in height.
The factory did use 2 type off springs one set has yellow and the other has red paint.
This was to compensate the difference, so with lower springs you will see still difference between the cars. A normal spring will stay on it height, if it lowers you have a bad spring.

Based on this great piece of info from Ed, I took a look at the factory front springs I have tested that are still here, and they all have red paint. If anyone has a set of factory front springs with the yellow paint mark that they could loan me, it would help me complete my "front spring measurement study".

tnx, Cliff