Stock Coil Springs - Need Confirmation & Advise for replacements

I am looking to replace my sagging coil springs on the rear of the bird. I went to my Ford Dealer & they are not available anymore. I went on the web to find if anyone had a set & came up empty. The Part # is E7SZ-5310-K.

So I go to NAPA and another local parts store and they both can get coil springs for me -the NAPA Brand or TRW. Each one has a progressive rate or constant rate spring. Which one should I get? They said that the spring is the same for an 85 thru 88 Turbocoupe and the V6. Could that be true with the electronic suspension? I got a price from Coilsprings.com for $118.00 per pair + $32 shipping. The TRW ones are $55.00 a pair & the NAPA ones are $49.00 each or pair (not sure on last one). I looked at my cars certification label on the door jamb for the springs and they showed TTKK - TT for the front & KK for the rear. My parts book does not list springs by year or motor, just by the code on the door jamb. Can anyone check their cars to see if you have the same codes.

Finally, I also saw in some posts that one side is usually lower than the other (A common FOX platform problem) and I want to make sure that this does not occur with the new springs. Anthing special needed to prevent this from happening or will the new springs correct that problem.

As always...looking for word of wisdom from the knowledgable.

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Tony Sceia
Red 88 TC loaded with every option, Walbro 255, 3" SS Downpipe with Magnaflow SS 2.5 Cat Back Mustang Dual system Installed by BJL, 3-core Radiator, Star Stage 2 Clutch, Rebuilt T-5 Tranny, 140 MPH Speedo

Now I need to finish converting to Raven/Gray Leather interior & just do some Body work & she'll be like new.

They said that the spring is the same for an 85 thru 88 Turbocoupe and the V6.

i can tell you for a fact that the TC springs and V6 springs are NOT the same, if i remember correction, the rear springs are the same between the sport coupe and TC

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www.foxthunderbirds.fast-go.com

www.dodge600se.fast-go.com

aka Tbird232ci

Originally posted by V6TBird87:

i can tell you for a fact that the TC springs and V6 springs are NOT the same, if i remember correction, the rear springs are the same between the sport coupe and TC

I looked on the Advanced Auto site for rear coil springs & they are the same part # for all 88 Thunderbirds - Turbo, LX w/V6, and Sport w/V8. Can you check in your door jamb & report the spring codes. Thanks.


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Tony Sceia
Red 88 TC loaded with every option, Walbro 255, 3" SS Downpipe with Magnaflow SS 2.5 Cat Back Mustang Dual system Installed by BJL, 3-core Radiator, Star Stage 2 Clutch, Rebuilt T-5 Tranny, 140 MPH Speedo

Now I need to finish converting to Raven/Gray Leather interior & just do some Body work & she'll be like new.

One 88 TC has SSKK, the other 88 TC has TTKK. The 87 TC auto has UUJJ

well...the V8/V6 springs are the same, but the TC and Sport springs are different

i wouldnt trust Advance auto...or any auto part store for info like that, not too long ago, we went and got rear drums for my dads 89 Thunderbird, which is an MN12, they gave us 4-lug, 9" drums....for a fox body, then tried to tell us his car has 4 lugs and doesnt have IRS because its what the computer said...then they told us he must have a supercoupe....

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www.foxthunderbirds.fast-go.com

www.dodge600se.fast-go.com

aka Tbird232ci

Thanks Pete for getting the codes. The KK is then for the rear.

And thank you V6TBird87 for the info on V6 vs TC. I know the TRW part numbers are the same caused I looked inthe book myself - no computer, just the old fashioned way. I did not check the V8, & I will do this today.

Now for the all important question - Constant rate or progressive rate. I looked in the 88 sales brochure & they say the springs are variable rate springs on all 4 models - BASE, SPORT, LX & TC. so are these considered "PROGRESSIVE"?

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Tony Sceia
Red 88 TC loaded with every option, Walbro 255, 3" SS Downpipe with Magnaflow SS 2.5 Cat Back Mustang Dual system Installed by BJL, 3-core Radiator, Star Stage 2 Clutch, Rebuilt T-5 Tranny, 140 MPH Speedo

Now I need to finish converting to Raven/Gray Leather interior & just do some Body work & she'll be like new.

Progressive rate and variable rate mean the same thing.

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Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 20 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 02 Taurus Vulcan(wifes car)

The rear springs on the Tbirds are progressive (variable) rate.

While we know the rear springs between the TCs and the other TBirds are different, the aftermarket guys could care less really. To them a few pounds of spring rate aren't worth them making 2 part #'s. The springs they have are probably a heavier rate anyway, so i really wouldn't fret it for daily-driver use. If you were tuning the car for road racing and needed something specific, then yeah..worry about it...but for your purpose I think you'd be fine with whatever you went with.

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Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental..
83 TC Clone, 87 Ranger (soon to be 2.3T), 84 XR7, 80 XR7, 86 XR4 and 62 Mercury Monterey
NATO Member

The springs in the T/C are T/C specific,they don't share with any of the other T-Birds......I have been doen this road SOOO many times.Although I should state that is has been only with 87-88's.

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"Finch....get the f*ck away from that fikas......that is a jizz-free fikas!"