Front Suspension

[Bob Hess]

SPF 2729
H&R Z/A Springs

I have been checking stuff out on my car and found that the front springs were loose on the shocks and had about 3/4 inch free travel when the car is up on jack stands and the suspension is fully extended. The adjustment nuts had not come loose. The ride height was acceptable according to the SCOF tech. letter on their website. There is also some info on this site which says that my car should have 375# springs approx. 10" long. My springs have a freestanding length of 7-1/8". Do I have the wrong springs? Anyone else had this problem?

[Mark IV]

The shocks and springs have changed several times over the production life. You appear to have the correct springs for that era of car and yes, when up on a lift they will "hang free"

[WardL]

I bought my Cobra used in Florida after driving it around for a couple of days. The ride was set low per the seller's preference. After shipping it home and checking it out, I found the same thing as you did, the front coil spring lower locking thingys were off the threads and sitting at bottom of shocks. Just shows we need to check things over every once in awhile.

[vatdevil]

That is normal for these cars.

[Blas]

You can add a set of helper springs if you like. They are an additional set of short lightly spring springs whos function is only to keep the main springs anchored in their pearch's. I believe the coupes have them as standard equipment. Your condition is not unusual and poses no real problem as the springs will be seated with weight on the suspension. I don't thing there is any adjustment you can make to eliminate this if your ride height is set properly. As mentioned, many different springs were used or switched out by users. If I have any standing spring length information I'll edit this post later today with the additional information.

[Bob Hess]

Thanks for the info. I went to a cruise-in Sunday morning in Atlanta and found another replica and tried to compare his car to mine even though it was a different manufacturer(ERA). Since his car was sitting on the ground (DUH!!!) the springs were compressed but I did notice he had a couple of Ty-Wraps attaching his springs to the top of the shock assembly. I'd say they were there for holding the springs in place if the suspension was allowed to go full travel. I guess that's one way to solve this issue or maybe helper springs. I'm not fond of the idea that the springs could become loose when the suspension is fully extended and then come crashing back together when the car compresses the front end. I noticed that none of the spring perches are tapered to help the springs find their way home, but instead they are square corners and the springs could get lodged on top of these surfaces and cause the car to ride 'Crooked' until the spring dropped off the flat and onto the proper location. When that happens it makes a loud bang (I know from experience) and you imagine a drive-by shooting or something broke.

[Voyager]

Mine does the same thing. Have not experienced any issues with the spring hanging up on the collar. Even lowering it off the jack, the springs find the proper location. Not sure where you are in the acceptable ride height window, but you can raise your ride height up if you so desire.

[ACademic]

Originally Posted by Bob Hess

I'm not fond of the idea that the springs could become loose when the suspension is fully extended and then come crashing back together when the car compresses the front end.

If the car is up on jack stands and this happens, no big deal. Just grab the quick jacks and give the car a nice tug up and down and that should seat them. But if you are driving and this happens, well then you have a whole lot more to be worried about with respect to how you got the suspension so unsprung (and the car airborne) to begin with.

[john chesnut]

I would change springs to longer ones. Short springs often suffer from coil bind. If the suspension is engineered properly, and the correct parts are used, the spring should be under compression (albeit slightly), even at full droop.

I would also check that the shock is the correct length. At ride height there should be 60% of the shock travel available for compression. Just my 2cents.

[Bob Hess]

I just talked to a guy at Bilstein East. He has experience with loose springs and says while it is not an every day ocurrance it is not anything to worry about. He said when you let the car down off the jack after extending the shocks full travel, just be sure the shock is seated on the perches. He also said "Don't drive like an idiot!!".

[jhv48]

Originally Posted by john chesnut

I would change springs to longer ones. Short springs often suffer from coil bind. If the suspension is engineered properly, and the correct parts are used, the spring should be under compression (albeit slightly), even at full droop.

I would also check that the shock is the correct length. At ride height there should be 60% of the shock travel available for compression. Just my 2cents.

If you do this, your car will look like a 60's drag racer. Your nose will be pointing up into the air.

As others have said, this is a normal situation. When lifted, the springs will flop around on their seats and drop from their hats. The trick is to be sure they are fully seated on the seat and hat when the car is lowered. Otherwise, you WILL hear a loud clank when you drive over a bump and one of the front springs reseats itself in the hat. Disconcerting, at best.

[Morris]

Try this...

Race Car Coilover Spring Spacers and Guides

Morris

Ps. you can also drill 3 holes in the top spring perch and use Safety wire to hold the spring in the top hat.....

[emberglo66]

Slow down over the RR tracks

[PANAVIA]

I find if i dont JUMP the car chasing a orange Dodge Charger, this is a non issue on a street car - but i can see the concern, - the helper springs might be a good thing, otherwise PENSKE!!!