Shade tree mechanic suspension disaster

[Couger85]

Hey everyone,

I have a question for all the suspension gurus. I recently put my car on a lift to unload my suspension and check my brakes. What I found was terrifying!!! The coils were loose, and not just wiggly loose. I'm talking pick the coils up and down an inch loose. These things (front and rear coils) are just sitting in there.

I know the coils aren't cut, but it looks like the stock strut is too long for them at full extension. I am wondering if the shade tree mechanic that owned this car before me just forgot to put something back in.

My question:

What is the fix. New coils or new struts? Am I missing bump stops?

Someone please shed some light on my poor talon!!!

thanks,
Brandon

 

[g4ebguy90]

o check the mounts under the hood man. See if the nuts are tight, or have u done this

 

[housegsx]

Sounds normal depending on ride height and your application. But that's what helper springs are for.

 

[Couger85]

Nuts are tight. Imagine You are holding the assembled coil over in your hand. Everything should be tight, yet I am able to extend the assembled coilover to the point where the spring just falls out of place. Literally just sitting in there, not compressed.

So it is normal for the coils to be loose inside the coilover assembly? The car is definetly lowered. I am just used to seeing these components compressed together.

Brandon-

 

[Gstclipse69]

What kind of springs are on the car? I have ground control springs and when the car is up on stands the springs are loose like you say. On a stock setup the coils will be tight but not on certain aftermarket ones.

 

[Ryan4dc]

Most coil over setups have short springs and a long adjustment shaft. If the ride hight was adjusted lower, that would shorten the overall height of the spring and shaft, making it loose. You got a picture of your setup or do you know the brand of aftermarket springs used?

 

[3kgt2nv]

The megans on my friends car are loose and sloppy like a used whore like yours but they work fine.

 

[knochgoon24]

They make these things called helper springs. They keep the spring from getting sloppy on coilovers.

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It's the short thin spring just about the lower perch on this set.
Without that spring, these coilovers would also have a loose spring when the suspension was completely unloaded.

 

[Couger85]

Thanks for all the reply's everyone.

Glad to hear this is somewhat normal, I will try and get some pics of the car tomorrow.

I am not used to coils that come loose when unloaded.

Thanks again everyone, I just might sleep a little easier tonight.

Best regards,

Brandon