Clevis Woodruff 2 September 25, 2018 In the process of refurbishing the front suspension on our ‘75, It appears that a previous owner cut the front springs. Both ends of the wire have bright tool marks contrasting from the black paint. The uncompressed height is 10 1/2 inches. In fact, with the assembled strut out of the car, the springs aren’t really compressed at all and I was able to remove and replace the upper bearing without a spring compressor. I don’t especially want a lowered car, so I’m looking for a pair of stock springs. Is my best bet searching wrecking yards? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iinca 272 September 25, 2018 NO Your best best is here on the 'FAQ. Place an ad in the WTB. It won't take long for a set of springs. NOTE: I never mix and match stock spring sets. I've seen way too much variation between sets. You might consider a set of early pre-73 springs that all match and fit perfect Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clevis Woodruff 2 September 25, 2018 By mix and match, do you mean both front and rear springs should be a matching set? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
'76mintgrün'02 1,953 September 25, 2018 I'll just leave this here c.d.iesel Solex 112 12,172 posts Posted September 14, 2012 · Report post what I contributed many moons a go : stock / oem 02 suspension coil spring colour codes and free length (not mounted length); REAR SUSP SPRINGS Green 776-803 lbs White 750-776 lbs Red 725-750 lbs wire thickness 12.3mm (.049")free length unmounted 334.6 (13.17") Heavy duty conversion ( for trailer towing ) grey/green 769-789 lbs grey/white 730-769 lbs grey/red 710-730 lbs wire thickness 13.2mm (.052") free length of unmounted 324.2mm (12.76") FOR touring - USE ONLY RED (in emergency WHITE is permissable always use "1 Dot " rubber top cushion FRONT SUSP SPRINGS green/blue 635-656 lbs white/blue 614-636 lbs red/blue 595-614 lbs wire thickness 11.8mm (0.465") free length unmounted 337.2mm (13.28") Heavy duty conversion (only if rear is also converted) green/grey/green 606/626 lbs white/grey/white 584-606 lbs red/grey/red 564-584 lbs wire thickness 12mm (0.47") free length unmounted 345mm (13.58") ..........SO, AS YOU CAN SEE , WHEN INSPECTING UNKNOWN SPRINGS, THE FREE LENGTH CAN BE CLOSE, BUT IT'S THE WIRE THICKNESS THAT YOU NEED TO MEASURE CAREFULLY THIS REF. FROM BMW REPAIR MANUAL (PRINTED) VOL.2 and. . . .. rear coil spring upper rubber 'damper ring' comes in 3 heights: 28 mm height = 1 dot and green color code 33 mm height = 2 dot and white color code 37 mm height = 3 dot and red color code Note: always fit top spring damper with 1 dot for Touring models (of course for orig springs) check availability with dealer, one was NLA reciently. the bottom rear coil spring rubber damper ring comes only in one thickness = 24mm ref. 33-0/8 specifations BMW Repair Manual Vol. 2 AND........ SPRING TIME TECHNICAL DATA: Message Title: Re: front or back? 10 1/4 " = Front 12 " = Rear these are my 'old' Suspension Technique (dark GOLD painted) springs measured "free" un-mounted length and from factory manual: 13.28" = Front std 13.58" = Front Heavy Duty 13.17" Rear std. 14.25" Rear for Baur Convertible ...so according to this info, you could have shorter or longer springs in the rear than front ! What matters is wire diameter and lb. rating / spring load rating. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clevis Woodruff 2 September 25, 2018 Ah, thanks for all that! I also forgot to mention that there are (now) 6 coils top to bottom and the wire diameter is 12mm. Blue and white stripes, for what that matters, knowing the springs were cut. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Einspritz 253 September 25, 2018 Decide what you want, then pm me. I have several sets and can look. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iinca 272 September 25, 2018 when I say matching I mean to take sets off one car Einspritz has what you want> pre 73 before the higher bumper law came into effect..and will give you a normal ride height Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Einspritz 253 September 25, 2018 I think I have a set of Dinan springs which i can measure and calculate the rate, but again, I have to look. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clevis Woodruff 2 September 26, 2018 I discovered something else that's odd: the rear springs are the 0.530" diameter wire. So the front springs have blue+white stripes and had a coil removed so the uncompressed height is about 3" lower, and the rear has heavy duty springs. I'm eager to see how it will drive and handle after it has new rubber and correctly balanced springs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iinca 272 September 26, 2018 rears are going to be stiffer than the front springs because of their geometry (angle).. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites