Stock front coil springs

[Clevis Woodruff]

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?

[iinca]

 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

 

 

[Clevis Woodruff]

By mix and match, do you mean both front and rear springs should be a matching set?

['76mintgrün'02]

I'll just leave this here

 

c.d.iesel

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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. 

[Clevis Woodruff]

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. 

[Einspritz]

Decide what you want, then pm me. I have several sets and can look.

[iinca]

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

[Einspritz]

I think I  have a set of Dinan springs which i can measure and calculate the rate, but again, I have to look.

[Clevis Woodruff]

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.

[iinca]

rears are going to be stiffer than the front springs because of their geometry (angle)..