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Last Question of the Day, Suspension Spring Length

Guest Anonymous

By Guest Anonymous,
in BMW 2002 and other '02

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winstontj Grand Master

winstontj

Posted
Posted
What are the length of OEM springs for a late model 2002?

Can you use the aluminum spacer from the front strut in the back?

Thanks!

J.E.

Why? You normally see guys just take out the front spacer as it only raises up the car similar, well exactly like a body spacer in a 4x4. There are three different pads for the rear. Take a look at realoem.com. Go to archive and select the 2002. Poke around there for a while and find your part nubmers, locations, etc. Depending on where you are located perhaps going to a show or local club meet would be a good opportunity for you to learn many of the basics about these cars.

'79 & '80 Vespas, R75/6 + R90/6 (and a Triumph), '76 IH Scout II

E36 

'71 VIN: 2574356 - Nevada, Sunroof, RUST and a really nice '76

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winstontj Grand Master

winstontj

Posted
Posted
anyone ever run no spring pads in these cars???

i dont run any at all in my e30 and its fine. its slammed on the ground.

i was considering trying it in the 02.

There is a big diameter difference between the front and rear correct? I'd think that possibly running a spring seat like the one in the stock front strut would be better than metal on metal no? now to find a car that has the same diameter springs.....

'79 & '80 Vespas, R75/6 + R90/6 (and a Triumph), '76 IH Scout II

E36 

'71 VIN: 2574356 - Nevada, Sunroof, RUST and a really nice '76

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winstontj Grand Master

winstontj

Posted
Posted
anyone ever run no spring pads in these cars???

i dont run any at all in my e30 and its fine. its slammed on the ground.

i was considering trying it in the 02.

There is a big diameter difference between the front and rear correct? I'd think that possibly running a spring seat like the one in the stock front strut would be better than metal on metal no? now to find a car that has the same diameter springs.....

'79 & '80 Vespas, R75/6 + R90/6 (and a Triumph), '76 IH Scout II

E36 

'71 VIN: 2574356 - Nevada, Sunroof, RUST and a really nice '76

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winstontj Grand Master

winstontj

Posted
Posted
anyone ever run no spring pads in these cars???

i dont run any at all in my e30 and its fine. its slammed on the ground.

i was considering trying it in the 02.

There is a big diameter difference between the front and rear correct? I'd think that possibly running a spring seat like the one in the stock front strut would be better than metal on metal no? now to find a car that has the same diameter springs.....

'79 & '80 Vespas, R75/6 + R90/6 (and a Triumph), '76 IH Scout II

E36 

'71 VIN: 2574356 - Nevada, Sunroof, RUST and a really nice '76

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winstontj Grand Master

winstontj

Posted
Posted

There is a big diameter difference between the front and rear correct? I'd think that possibly running a spring seat like the one in the stock front strut would be better than metal on metal no? now to find a car that has the same diameter springs.....

'79 & '80 Vespas, R75/6 + R90/6 (and a Triumph), '76 IH Scout II

E36 

'71 VIN: 2574356 - Nevada, Sunroof, RUST and a really nice '76

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winstontj Grand Master

winstontj

Posted
Posted

There is a big diameter difference between the front and rear correct? I'd think that possibly running a spring seat like the one in the stock front strut would be better than metal on metal no? now to find a car that has the same diameter springs.....

'79 & '80 Vespas, R75/6 + R90/6 (and a Triumph), '76 IH Scout II

E36 

'71 VIN: 2574356 - Nevada, Sunroof, RUST and a really nice '76

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Mike87 Mentor

Mike87

Posted
Posted

When I was racing, we ran those aluminum rings in the rear for Sears Point (when it was bumpy) and removed them for Laguna and THill. There was no rubber in the suspension on that car, just like Steve said. It will work fine, just be a bit noisy for a daily driver.

As far as stock spring lengths go, check the workshop manual, they have all the diameters and lengths listed. BTW, there is a wire diameter difference between the front and rear, but the spring diameter is the same.

Good Luck,

Mike (#87)

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c.d.iesel Grand Master

c.d.iesel

Posted
Posted

10 1/4 " = Front

12 " = Rear

these are my 'old' Suspension Technique 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. So difficult to say with out knowing any part numbers or spring mfg. which of you springs belongs where. How about buying a new set of H&R 's which are clearly marked and you'll have a'fresh' set on the car. Throw some new BILSTEINS on while your at it.

.....AND NO - do not install the original aluminun front spacer in the rear.

Use the correct rear rubber rings. If all you have is a thin rubber at the top in the rear - and you need to raise the rear up - than you can use the aluminun ABOVE the thin top rubber. The bottom rear rubber is very thin for all cars - just an insulator. The 3 different thickness 'adjusting ' rubbers go to the top of the rear spring.

any spring could have been cut by anyone during your cars history.

no telling. Even 'performance' after market springs can be cut by previous owner to adjust ride height . Original springs that are not

'cut' may give many different 'free length' measurements depending on their 30+ year history.

'86 R65 650cc #6128390 22,000m
'64 R27 250cc #383851 18,000m
'11 FORD Transit #T058971 28,000m "Truckette"
'13 500 ABARTH #DT600282 6,666m "TAZIO"

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Mike Self Grand Master

Mike Self

Posted
Posted

taller than the 68-72 USA springs--this to raise the bumper due to NTSHA bumper height/crash resistance requirements that went into effect in 1973.

Easy way to lower a later car is to fit stock springs from an earlier one and of course remove the front spacer and use a thinner rear mount.

mike

'69 Nevada sunroof-Wolfgang-bought new
'73 Sahara sunroof-Ludwig-since '78
'91 Brillantrot 318is sunroof-Georg Friederich 
Fiat Topolini (Benito & Luigi), Renault 4CVs (Anatole, Lucky Pierre, Brigette) & Kermit, the Bugeye Sprite

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