Rear Springs (again)

[737Mech]

235

 

[737Mech]

Okay, found some more info. I dug up the paperwork that came with the car and the springs currently installed are Hotchkis 1901-R, which came from summit. They were/are advertised as an A/G 1” lowering spring. So, I could just buy the 19114 kit which is a 2” lowering spring. But, I don’t like the fact that the spring rates and installed heights are not published. Plus they are 2.5x the cost of Moog (if I can find an appropriate Moog spring).

 

[carnutjw]

Haven't got around to putting my 5401's in yet. Distracted by pizza and beer outing with Wifey Saturday. Caught a deal on a Harbor freight 4x8 trailer today on Marketplace. Spent the afternoon assembling it. Maybe Monday evening?

 

[carnutjw]

Springs are installed , but haven't driven yet. My car doesn't sit level in the garage due to the center drain and slope, so it follows the front (stiffer) springs and my initial rear measurements are a left/right average. I will drive it in the next couple of days and get more solid measurements. With my previous cut F-body springs (97 Firebird -1-1/4 coils, 13-3/4" free height), rear fender well height was 26-1/4". right now is about 26-7/16". Installed height initially on the 5401's is about 9-1/2".

 

[737Mech]

Ooh. Thanks for details. Maybe they will settle. Tell me what you think of the ride quality if you get a chance.

 

[carnutjw]

Drove car to work today with 5401's, about 60 miles round trip. Remeasured in the driveway(more level) and came up with 26" fender well height. Rechecked and averaged in garage= 26" I hope they settle a little more, but I don't know if they will. Ride is maybe a little firmer than F-body springs, but that could all be in my head.

 

[carnutjw]

Confession time. In case you ever see a post from me and think" that guy's pretty sharp", consider this: Measured new spring heights, drove to work, had about 1/2 tank of gas. Stopped on the way home and filled up. Remeasured and rear is about 7/16" lower. Realized this morning it might have something to do with the extra 50-75 lbs. of gas on the back end. More results to come later.

 

[737Mech]

Thanks! If I could get to 26 inches at the top of the fender well that would be awesome. Sitting at 30 inches now.

 

[Turbo Zach]

You can cut some of the top side of the spring. Put a piece of heater hose on the end and it will work just fine, or you can keep buying springs.🤐

 

[carnutjw]

Thanks! If I could get to 26 inches at the top of the fender well that would be awesome. Sitting at 30 inches now.

Keep in mind my tires are spec'd at 26.1" tall, which should be close to yours if it's a 235/60-15, but my car has a steel bumper, full interior, and full size spare in the trunk. Oh, and a full tank of gas.