Re: [DML] springs and shocks

["Qume Fox" <qumefox@xxxxxxxxx>]

--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "spaceace3113" <spaceace3113@...> wrote:
>
> what you should know is that the springs will in time settle abit to
> the desired/ engineered height

I'm getting kind of tired of seeing this. Springs don't 'settle', at
least not quickly. They might over decades though. What's really
happening is that people are forgetting to loosen and BREAK LOOSE the
upper and lower control arm bolts going through the frame when they
change springs. When you forget this little step, the bushings are
still torqued down at the old spring height. These bushings are quite
strong when intact. They effect spring rate more than you think, and
cars with new bushings will be stiffer with the exact same springs. So
the 'settling' that people talking about happens as the bushings
slowly twist.. and sometimes tear, until they reach equalibrium with
the new springs. 

If you want to have the intended ride height right off the bat when
you install new springs, just remember to add these steps in the process.

1) loosen and break loose both the upper and lower control arm frame
bolts before you remove the old spring. You don't take them out, just
make sure they can spin.

2) swap springs.

3) put the car back together completely with the control arm frame
bolts still loose. Wheels and all. 

4) and this is the most important part. Put ramps under all four
wheels, so the car is level, and at ride height, only up off the
ground where you can get under it. ONLY THEN do you torque down the
control arm bolts to specs.

This isn't delorean specific. It applies to any vehicle.  Failure to
do this can drasticly reduce the life of the bushings by keeping them
in a constant bind. Tightening them with the suspension hanging loose
is even more of a nono. As this would put the maximum stress on them
and you'd be gaurenteed to tear them as soon as you put the full
weight of the car on the wheels. 

Chris
VIN #3209



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