North American Turbocoupe Organization

Full Version: interesting cut coil issue...
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So I took the front suspension apart to put new struts on the 88 and while in there, I found both of the front coil springs rotted and broken at about 3/4 coil up. No problem, I wanted to cut about 3/4 a coil off anyway to lower it a tad. Did the drivers side, looks great, went from 27" to 26", perfect. cut the same off of the pass side, put it all together and it went from 27 1/4" measured to 27". That's strange, only 1/4" drop. I put new isolators in both sides, so those are the same, I took the pass side back apart thinking the spring was maybe not seated in the lower perch, get it all together, same thing. I can push down on the front end and do not feel any binding at all, next step is to take both sides apart again, measure both front springs to see if maybe the drivers was cut before I had it for some reason. Not sure why there would be a 1" difference between both sides like that. Just thought I would throw this out there for any other ideas.
What your facing is spring fatigue. I would highly advise against cutting springs. I know this is the old school version of lowering a vehicle, however, cutting a spring inherently weakens the rest of the spring. You can get mustang springs that will fit just fine and lower it. I suspect your current springs are worn and lost some of their tenacity which is why one is taller than the other.
OK. Thanks for the idea Rocket, I went back out yesterday to try some more changes to the front springs. I took both sides apart, labeled the drivers side spring and new strut to make sure I knew which was which. Both the front springs measured the same height, so good there. If one of the springs was weaker than the other, the height drop should move to the new side. I swapped just the springs side to side to see if the height would change, back together, no change. Still have the pass side at around 27" and the drivers at 26". As the height stayed the same on the pass side even with a spring swap I decided to change the struts from side to side. Took the drivers marked new KYB and put it into the pass side. All back together and still no change! Pass at 27" and drivers at 26". This seems really strange to me, both spring perches and A arm seats look good, both sides only have one isolator on the top and one on the bottom. As I know the front has the same drop even after swapping parts around, I am going to put it all back together and work on the rears. Maybe a saggy spring in the back is making it sit crooked. Only thing I can think of on this, just passing along the update.
Rocket, just noticed your in Rochester, good to see another NY'er on here!
Very odd then. Typically springs are the only thing that dictate ride height on cars. You've inspected all the same areas that I would have inspected for wear that I would have. I had a weak spring in the rear of my old car, that did make it sit funny. In my experience the rear springs in our cars tend to wear out before the fronts, however, the cars now being over 30 years old, a lot of stuff is worn out. Let me know how the dealing with the rear springs goes and if that changes anything. I'll read through the chassis manual later and see if the specs are the same for left and right in the front, but I see no reason why there would be a 1 in difference. I'd measure mine but it's on jack stands until I finish all my pre Carlisle repairs.

There's actually a few Turbo Coupes in the Rochester area. I know the owners of 2 others in the area. And I've spotted at least 2 more. Unfortunately, it seems like most cars in NYS all rust to death (that's what got my last car).
Pretty cool that you're from NYS as well. Are you planning on going to Carlisle?