Rear coilovers

[Jim Downard]

Don,
About two years ago I purchased the upgraded front control arms and four corner coilovers from you for my Cobra. When I installed the rear shocks, the rear of the car was supported by the frame, so the shocks themselves was holding the rear axle. I turned the shock spring adjuster upward (tighter) until the looseness was gone. After lowering the car to the ground, I noticed the car had a rear high attitude. I left it this way, as I don't want there to be any looseness associated with the rear springs when going over hills, bumps, zero g conditions. Just last night I went ahead and pulled some of the adjustment out of the springs to get the ride height leveled out again. Do you have anything, or any suggestions of what I can use to prevent the shocks from extending too far and allowing the springs to get cocked on the shaft, or is this never going to be a problem. It seems that if the shock travel was about two inches shorter, it would be about perfect.

Jim Downard

[scottj]

Jim,

Afco Racing sells a product called a "take-up spring" for that purpose. The Eibach Spring catalog has the same thing but they call it a "helper spring"

Scott

[Jim Downard]

It would seem that I would need a longer spring with a lesser spring rate so that the ride height would remain where it needs to be. The actual problem is that the length of the shock when extended is longer than the spring when the preload is set for proper ride height. If I fill in the void with additional springing, then the ride height will increase again, which is what I'm trying to avoid. I could always add 200-300lbs of ballast to the rear to hold it down in it's proper position. (just kidding)
Jim

[scottj]

Jim,
Effect on rate is negligible with a take up spring, rate is less than 5#/in. Take up springs add 3/4" when compressed, the amount by which you back off the adjuster to maintain ride height. They will "take-up" about a 3" gap if needed. Yours is exactly the situation for which they are designed.
Scott

[dscott]

Jim, I haven't heard from anyone that this has been a problem. You could move the upper mounting point down and this will shorten the length. You would just need to drill a new hole lower on the upper mount. Otherwise the take up spring would work.
Don