St Springs Uneven Height

[steve-o]

So I put my springs and struts on a few weeks ago and noticed that the front was a little higher then the rear, so I thought I would give it some time to settle. So it’s been 3 weeks now and still uneven ride. My only thought was because I got a 4cyl 5spd, and not a heavy 6cyl auto. So now I need some ideas on how I’m gonna fix this problem. I was thinking about making new holes in the strut to bring it down more, but then the spring seat will be pretty close to the tire, now I’m thinking about cutting a coil off the springs. Any ideas??

[2fst4u]

don't touch them is my best advice. it's not that big of a deal. and if you really don't like it, get coilovers.

[derek_ski99]

leave it for some more time. if it still doesnt settle then i'd cut a coil off.

[FormulaNERD]

yea, wait longer for it to settle, and if you have to you can remove a dead coil no prob.

[SweetNLow]

if its WAY higher than the rear u might have been sent the wrong front springs.

the fact that u only have the 4cyl does play a part in the height. do u have a system/subs or anything rather heavy in the trunk? when i had my subs in my trunk with my intrax it would lower my rear about an extra inch than without them in the trunk. when i would take them out the car looked more even.

DO NOT CUT A COIL OFF.......... derek doesnt know what hes talkin about. unless u plan on then heating the spring to get the proper shape back in it..... it will not sit correctly on the perch and most likely will fall off the perch in a matter of time.

if u had a pic it would be easier to tell if its normal or whatnot

[sound_xtreme]

Originally posted by SweetNLow@May 13 2006, 12:35 PM
unless u plan on then heating the spring to get the proper shape back in it.....
Quoted post


and that is definetly not recommended, as it'll take the temper out. suspension could mean your life.

[derek_ski99]

no brent, i know that cutting your springs isnt a good idea. but he's not cutting his stock springs. lowering springs have higher compression rates correct? tighter coils. at least thats what chip foose did on a couple of the cars he modified. werent sitting quite low enough so he cut a half coil off the springs in need. (one time it was the front, one time the rear etc...)

but you are right, if they are way off in the front, you could have been shipped the wrong front springs. and cutting springs is not a very good idea

[2fst4u]

wait, so you're saying, cut the springs because it's a good idea. but, don't cut the springs because it's a bad idea.
i think i got that straight. good job derek

[sound_xtreme]

all cars are different, the car Foose cut coils on was probably very different. Trust Brent, and I, we HAVE cut coils on an Alero. It does NOT work. You have to heat them up so they sit right on the perch. Cutting alone is bad enough for a spring, heating them up just makes it all that more wose.

[steve-o]

yeah now that i think about it, the spring wouldnt sit right. but i'll post some pics tomorrow when i get time, i'm at work right now.

[derek_ski99]

Originally posted by 2fst4u@May 13 2006, 07:06 PM
wait, so you're saying, cut the springs because it's a good idea. but, don't cut the springs because it's a bad idea.
i think i got that straight. good job derek
Quoted post


cut the springs if you absolutely have no other option, but its not the best idea. makes sense to me..perhaps i should have just said that from the beginning.

so sorry to have confused you 2fst...i'll try not to in the future because you are just so perfect and amazing. seems to me you have posted your fair share of stupid things on these boards. i'd say at least one time per day actually.

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

cutting is a bad idea. and a lot of times, you want the front to sit a little higher than the rear because you have the fender lining to deal with (unless you ripped that out....) Don't need to rub that.

post a pic to show how much the difference is.

[sound_xtreme]

Originally posted by AlbinoMonkeyRat@May 13 2006, 02:30 PM
Don't need to rub that.
Quoted post


ya, i rubbed a couple holes in mine. size of a quarter maybe.

[steve-o]

here ya go
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/steveoz24/holow.jpg
doesnt look to bad there for some reason

[SweetNLow]

Originally posted by derek_ski99@May 13 2006, 02:56 PM
no brent, i know that cutting your springs isnt a good idea. but he's not cutting his stock springs. lowering springs have higher compression rates correct? tighter coils. at least thats what chip foose did on a couple of the cars he modified. werent sitting quite low enough so he cut a half coil off the springs in need. (one time it was the front, one time the rear etc...)

but you are right, if they are way off in the front, you could have been shipped the wrong front springs. and cutting springs is not a very good idea
Quoted post


lowering springs may have a higher compression but it doesnt matter in this case. foose was able to cut those springs and put then in without a problem because the suspension on whatever car it was wasnt an independent suspenion. difference being that our cars have independent suspensions..... so hte springs sit on the perch of the strut...... a non independent suspendion has like little pockets the springs sit in........ there is no where for the spring to go so u dont have to worry bout it falling off the perch like on our cars.


as for the picture steveo......... looks like the spring definately isnt seated right. ive seen the sprint/st springs in person and the front should definately be much lover than that. id take the spring out and reassemble it

[derek_ski99]

thanks brent, makes sense now

[Lovestheh20]

http://invision.aleromod.com/uploads/post-3287-1146338183.jpg

its not the same angle as yours, but here is mine on ST's... I can see the front definately didn't drop the same

[jturkey69]

ive had the same problem with mine as well....if you look at the rear springs..youll notice you have about 2 or 3 coils that are packed solid...im changing my rears to eibach's this week

[sofa]

thats not bad at all. mine looks much worse

[steve-o]

Originally posted by Lovestheh20@May 13 2006, 10:28 PM
http://invision.aleromod.com/uploads/post-3287-1146338183.jpg

its not the same angle as yours, but here is mine on ST's... I can see the front definately didn't drop the same
Quoted post


do u got the 6cyl or 4? and auto or standard?