[DML] Re: Spring rate (bad shocks)

["David Teitelbaum" <jtrealty@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

There is really nothing inherently wrong with cutting springs. There are two caveats:
1) It must be done correctly, the end has to be ground so the spring can sit flat, not on the cut edge and you don't cut it with a burning torch or you will lose the temper and NEVER cut a spring when it is under a load!
2) You will affect the spring rate
Spring shops cut springs all the time. It is just a matter of knowing how to do it properly.
On a Delorean the owner MUST be aware that lowering the ride height will change the alignment so he has to have the car aligned afterwards and because of the lowered height the car now has reduced it's available suspension travel (it can bottom out easier) and can hit things in the road that you may have missed if the car would ride higher (like raised manhole covers, dipping driveway entrances, automotive lifts and such). I remember at one Tech session we had 1 car with front and side ground effects and we almost tore them off getting the car on and off the lift for inspection! Lowering the car is at the owner's risk. If you do hit something at speed it most likely will get caught on the sway bar, bending it and bending the frame in the crumple zone.
David Teitelbaum
vin 10757



--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Dave Swingle" <swingle_dmc@...> wrote:
>
> I believe that there were a bad batch of the springs that were part of that package for a short while. I've seen a couple of cars where after some time and miles the front springs just sagged. I have one of them in my shop right now. If the car sits too low at rest, i.e. not driving/bottoming out, but sitting still, the springs are the problem. 
> 
> Shock absorbers have nothing to do with ride height. If you don't believe this, take the shocks out of the car and see if it makes any difference. It won't. (You can only try this on the fronts.)
> 
> If you put stock springs back in, the car will sit nose high like original. Stock springs are pretty easy to come by since so many people take them out. If you want the hight back that you started with when you first installed that set, you need to go with the Eibachs. Or take some stock springs (I can't believe I'm saying this, it's really not a particularly good idea!) and cut them. 
> 
> Dave S
> 
> --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "cruznmd" <racuti1@> wrote:
> >
> > The shocks aren't leaking. They're bone dry and the car doesn't bounce. Since everyone I've talked to has ruled out worn springs, I can only conclude that they are simply a softer ride than I'd like.
> > 
> > There's nothing "wrong" with them per se, I just want a stiffer ride type.
> > 
> > --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "d_rex_2002" <rich@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Rich,
> > >
>




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