Rear Springs and Shocks . Update.

[ZTec]

Hi all,
Got down to start changing the rear springs and shocks tonight, all came off easy enough, but once I put the old spring next to the new one as you can see the old ones taper down thinner for the last few twists top and bottom compared to the new ones and new ones are shorter by 15mm. Question one, can I still fit them. Question two, will it alter my setup by much such as change camber. They were meant to be OEM as original ones fitted to the car.

 

[t-tony]

As long as you're fitting a pair it's not really a worry. It won't change the camber as such as it is not adjustable on. the rear of a Z3. It's likely they were original OEM springs as they are usually made with tapering "pigtails" whereas after market ones are not, ie the same cross section right to the end. Simpler for manufacture.

Tony.

 

[ZTec]

As long as you're fitting a pair it's not really a worry. It won't change the camber as such as it is not adjustable on. the rear of a Z3. It's likely they were original OEM springs as they are usually made with tapering "pigtails" whereas after market ones are not, ie the same cross section right to the end. Simpler for manufacture.

Tony.

What about the overall Spring height unfitted. Old Spring 230mm, new Spring 215mm?

 

[t-tony]

You would probably find little or no difference in ride height if you fitted one of each. The difference in height would be negated by the "softer" pigtails on the original springs . The new pair will give a very slightly stiffer ride but hardly noticeable.

Tony.

 

[ZTec]

You would probably find little or no difference in ride height if you fitted one of each. The difference in height would be negated by the "softer" pigtails on the original springs . The new pair will give a very slightly stiffer ride but hardly noticeable.

Tony.

Well Tony, you once again have come to the rescue and set my mind at rest. I'll carry on with the job tomorrow with peace of mind. Thanks very much mate.

 

[t-tony]

Well Tony, you once again have come to the rescue and set my mind at rest. I'll carry on with the job tomorrow with peace of mind. Thanks very much mate.

You're very welcome, hope it goes well tomorrow.

Tony.

 

[ZTec]

You're very welcome, hope it goes well tomorrow.

Tony.

I'm sure it will Tony, hardest bit so far was taking off the four plastic clips that hold the carpet over the shock mounts.

 

[t-tony]

They can be buggers, them little plastic clips!

Tony.

 

[Low Rider]

I visited the ZEDshed last night to have my new 30mm lowering springs fitted.
@Lee then took me out for a driving in my car I never thought my Z3 could ever be driven like that it was on rails

 

[windym]

I visited the ZEDshed last night to have my new 30mm lowering springs fitted.
@Lee then took me out for a driving in my car I never thought my Z3 could ever be driven like that it was on rails

Amen to that brother, been there, wearing the @Lee tore my Z,d a new one tee-shirt

Andy

 

[Dino D]

If it does sit lower than what it was (which will increase the amount of camber) you can just add thicker or multipke rubber spring pads to get the height you want it back up too.

The new spring may be shorter but if it's a stiffer spring it may not compress as much as old ones and you may not notice any difference in ride height.

Quite possibly it is the 'sport' model spring which I believe made the car 15mm lower. Not a bad thing at all in my book, just get the fronts to match when you do those.

 

[windym]

Hi no it is a standard height spring that came off my Z before it was lowered

Andy

 

[ZTec]

Hi no it is a standard height spring that came off my Z before it was lowered

View attachment 37743


Andy

I'll just have to make sure I get the front ones to match.

 

[ZTec]

Well, back again. Yesterday I cleaned up the trailing arms and gave them two coats of Hammerite. Built up the new shocks ready for fit. Cleaned Spring pads, came up like new. Today put it all back together, bit of a bugger to get the springs on as I didn't have compressors. Finally dropped it off axle stands only to find it sits quite high, higher than the originals even though the new springs were 15mm shorter. Please let me know what you think.
I've also measured the distance from the top of the tyre to the bottom of the wheel arch and found a difference, drivers side rear 67 passenger side 76mm.

Last photo is with old springs and shocks fitted.

 

[Dino D]

Have you moved the yet car in those pics in the driveway? They always sit very high after being jacked up.

 

[ZTec]

Have you moved the yet car in those pics in the driveway? They always sit very high after being jacked up.

Hi mate, yes I did have a short drive to settle things down, only a few hundred yards, maybe not enough to settle things down. Would have gone for a blast but it's p*****g down here.

 

[ZTec]

By the way, the old shocks when pushed all the way in took two hours to extend fully, safely say they were shot.

 

[ZTec]

If it does sit lower than what it was (which will increase the amount of camber) you can just add thicker or multipke rubber spring pads to get the height you want it back up too.

The new spring may be shorter but if it's a stiffer spring it may not compress as much as old ones and you may not notice any difference in ride height.

Quite possibly it is the 'sport' model spring which I believe made the car 15mm lower. Not a bad thing at all in my book, just get the fronts to match when you do those.

Hi, the car is higher now, odd thing is the drivers side rear is 67mm from top of tyre to bottom of wheel arch and 76mm on the passenger side??????????

 

[Antm72]

Hi, the car is higher now, odd thing is the drivers side rear is 67mm from top of tyre to bottom of wheel arch and 76mm on the passenger side??????????

What is it to the floor? and are the fronts the same to the floor?
I was talking today about this on my zed i have worked it out with spring pads but can only surmise that the issue is the sub frame bushes as i have swapped the springs side to side and its still different.
I think its the fact the car has been driven mainly by single occupant and the drivers rear bush is giving more than the passenger.
The reson i ask on the fronts is if they are different it could be pushing down the opposite corner....

 

[ZTec]

What is it to the floor? and are the fronts the same to the floor?
I was talking today about this on my zed i have worked it out with spring pads but can only surmise that the issue is the sub frame bushes as i have swapped the springs side to side and its still different.
I think its the fact the car has been driven mainly by single occupant and the drivers rear bush is giving more than the passenger.
The reson i ask on the fronts is if they are different it could be pushing down the opposite corner....

I think you may have hit the nail on the head there, drivers side is 20mm lower than passenger side. Guess I'll have to live with it.