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Rear Springs In My Teins

sedanlover
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sedanlover Contributor

sedanlover

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ok so i purchased a set of second hand tein HR's for my R33 sedan...only to find out that the collars were ceased on the threads, and (get this) the previous owner had fitted lovell springs too the rear (for a softer ride), but really didn't change any characteristics of the comfort level.

so after buying some brand new tein springs from my local fulcrum stockist, i got a mate to fit the new springs in. (this is after i had a red hot go at f**king them). i thought it'd be easy as to do, with the right tools, but it turned out that the previous owner had not only put very wrong springs in, he had also used standard top shock mounts to hold the spring in (which was far from sitting right).

so custom top mounts were made up (for a small fee) and we ditched some of the top rubbers in order for a more responsive ride. once all was done i was very happy with the end result.

so i borrowed some "c spanners" from a mate and went about lowering my car. i started at the rear...and spent all this time/effort winding the collars the worng way. to in-effect i had unknowingly raised my car. :(

i consulted a friend...and he pointed me in the right direction. i then went about "LOWERING" my car, starting with the rears. all good! when it came to the fronts, i realised, after much persperation, that the collars were ceased on the threads...AGAIN! :P

so off i go back to my friend with the tools/know-how. he rectified the problem well and good and gave me some sound advice.

so i have recently lowered my car since that time and played around until i had the right/practical height.

now the problem i have encounter is the rear springs (new tein product) are too long, thus meaning at the lowest setting on the thread, the car is still way high. :D fronts are fine.

has anyone encounter the same/similar problem (spring wise)???

i was thinking about getting the spring compressed. like heating it in a vice and shortening it. professionally done of course. :)

any comments

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sedanlover Contributor

sedanlover

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Posted (edited)

here's a pic. :P

the gap between the top of the tyre and the guard is too much.

i want it level, front and rear.

i know its more body styling, but you can see that the front is way lower than the rear. sitting like a 1tonner

IMGP1043.jpg

Edited by sedanlover
Sydneykid Grand Master

Sydneykid

Posted
Posted (edited)

Shoot man, just take the springs out, they aren't doing anything at that height that's for sure. Probably isn't the springs holding it up anyway, it's on the bump stops. Better take them out too.

In fact, hang the expense, take the shocks out all together and stick some blocks of wood in there, probably ride better anyway. Certainly wouldn't handle any worse.

At that height it's probably loosing around 15 rwkw from excessive drive shaft angles. The tyres will last a few weeks at best, chassis cracks are just around the corner (nice pun hey?). The bump steer must be astronomical, not to mention the lack of traction for acceleration and braking.

Hope you don't want to drive it very fast.

:D cheers :)

PS; Low is slow

Edited by Sydneykid
r33_racer Grand Master

r33_racer

Posted
Posted

LOL @ SK

goddamn thats golden.

Personally i think the car is too low mate. Maybe you should jack it up and take a chance on looking uncool and put up with better handling, suspension and tyre wear, as opposed to the opposite. Also i would give it about a month before your running on steel belts on the i/s rear tyres. Could be sooner depending on how many skids you rip for your mates/random specatators.

Not only does he know everything, hes also a comedian. These forums would be boring without SK.

sedanlover Contributor

sedanlover

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  • Author
Posted (edited)

its not that f**kin low...geez

1. i don't have those wheels on my car. (they were temporarily borrowed off a mate)

2. i'm running 300zx wheels with 50 profile tyres.

3. its not on bump stops.

4. the lowest part is the middle resonator on the exhaust =70mm off the deck. thats the only trouble i have. front bar is slowly wearing away...only if i drive hard on a mountain run or something.

honestly its not that low. I'M NOT A POSER! :laugh:

it rides good. nice firm and responsive. i guess i can live with what i've got until i wanna get serious.

Edited by sedanlover
Sydneykid Grand Master

Sydneykid

Posted
Posted (edited)
the lowest part is the middle resonator on the exhaust =70mm off the deck.

That's 30 mm illegal.

What are the centre of wheel to guard heights on all 4 corners. That's the way you tell if it's too low. Anything less than 350 mm front and 340 mm rear is too low for good handling, traction and ride.

>_< cheers :(

Edited by Sydneykid
Chris Wilson Proficient

Chris Wilson

Posted
Posted

Oh how I love people on track days saying I should "buy some coilovers, that cars way too high" then make them eat my dust... The suspension kinematics (the way the arm angles work in conjunction with C of G height, roll centre heights and lateral movement, camber change, et cetera) all go to pot if the car is lowered too much. As SK says, it's way too low for effective work, it's just a show car like that! No offence.

mitchy_ Grand Master

mitchy_

Posted
Posted
That's 30 mm illegal.

What are the centre of wheel to guard heights on all 4 corners. That's the way you tell if it's too low. Anything less than 350 mm front and 340 mm rear is too low for good handling, traction and ride.

:) cheers :D

i just went and measured my centre of wheel to guard heights..

front is dead on 350, rear is 330.

the car sits at about ~110mm at the front bar, and part of the exhaust at the rear diff. (lowest points on the car)

will raising the rear to ~340+mm make a noticable difference?

the car already has the "lower front end" slope, im thinking the front might need to go up ~5mm too if i raise the rear.

and on topic - how do you mean your 4 door sits too high? high in reference to the centre of wheel to guard heights on a mini minor?

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