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what spring has seven coils?


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In preparation to swap my Bilstein Sports for a set of HDs, I have the front and rear suspension out of the not-quite-a-rat-rod-'73 2002. I thought that this was a perfect time to lower the car slightly (there's too big of a gap above the 195/60 14 tires). I read all the posts about cutting springs and decided to try it, but with the band saw in the machine shop at work, it took me an hour to cut one coil on one spring. I reconsidered.

I remembered reading posts describing how the '73 and later US springs are higher for federal headlight height requirements. Then I thought... 25 years ago I parted out a 1971 2002ti, and some of the parts are still under the porch at my mom's house (bless her). I went over there and found several sets of springs (I'd also parted out a few 3.0CSs and a 2800CS), but two sets looked like '02 springs. One set clearly was, in fact, slightly shorter '02ti front springs (the number of coils and the diameter were the same, with the spring perch section of the top and bottom on opposite sides), and one set I assumed was rear '02ti springs, slightly fatter than the front ones, with the upper and spring perches on the same side like the stock rear springs.

Then I noticed... the number of coils isn't the same. The '02 spring is the rusty one on the right with six coils; the other spring is the black one on the left with seven coils. And it's slightly taller, not shorter, than the 2002 spring (which of course I confirmed AFTER I had put it in and the back of the car was comically high).

springs_resized.jpg

Anyone know what these are from?

--Rob

The new book The Best Of The Hack Mechanic available at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0998950742, inscribed copies of all books available at www.robsiegel.com

1972 tii (Louie), 1973 2002 (Hampton), 1975 ti tribute (Bertha), 1972 Bavaria, 1973 3.0CSi, 1979 Euro 635CSi, 1988 FrankenThirty 325is, 1999 M Coupe, 1999 Z3, 2003 530i sport, 1974 Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special (I know, I know...)

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Rob--I just checked the specs for the difference between green/white/red springs but found a common relaxed length of 13.17 inches (for the rear). I do remember (over 20 years ago) that the installation of the stiffer green springs did raise the suspension a little (without changing the spring damper pads).

In earler times, spring rates and ride height were adjusted by switching to different color-coded springs or aftermarket springs, but NEVER by cutting the springs (which seems common advice these days). The compression rating is changed enough to create a suspension imbalance with the shocks. From what you relate, I would wager that the seven coil spring is at least not OEM 2002. Good luck--Jim

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