The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Hi Guys,
Just fitted some 640LBS front springs to my car and the issue I have now is the springs fit loose on the shock absorber at full extension. Now, I have adjustable Koni's but if I raise them enough to take up the slack in the spring the car looks like it has had an lift Kit fitted! Does anyone know of any methods of overcoming the lose spring at full shocky extension? I know the springs cant actually fall out but is the fact they are lose on full extension cause for concern. Car is daily driver with occaisional track day.
Cheers
Baz

Good job the roads in WA are smooth as a daily driver with 640lb springs could get very uncomfortable!

Springs that are loose on the shocks are illegal in NZ and I suspect in WA too. I would take professional advice on what is best solution but I have had shocks shortened in the past - simply cutting and rethreading so that you can tighten down until the spring is held in place on full extension. It does limit travel, but then with those springs there won't be much travel.

Remember not to lower the suspension by more that 25-30mm without changing the rear suspension mounting or you will raise the roll centre and make the back more likely to break loose.

Geoff

Hi Baz,

Add some helper springs and adaptors (between the helper and main spring). Speak to your local motorsport supplier, for example :

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Motorspor ... /1738/6351

Cheers,
Ben

Hi Baz,

Sorry I haven't replied to your email yet, but read the above post from Ben, and that is what I was going to say. Thanks Ben.

Mark

I have some of those had em for years cos I bought them in error they are as new, pity you are so far away!

gmsclassics wrote:Remember not to lower the suspension by more that 25-30mm without changing the rear suspension mounting or you will raise the roll centre and make the back more likely to break loose.

Geoff

gmsclassics wrote:Good job the roads in WA are smooth as a daily driver with 640lb springs could get very uncomfortable!

Am I correct in thinking that is sarcasm...? Roads here are pretty ordinary. I thought NZ roads were good? (wife is a Kiwi) But springs do not seem too stiff.


Changing the rear suspension mounting, could you explain this a bit more please Geoff?
The height is pretty similiar to previous springs but those were pretty low.
Thanks for all the replies. Will check out the helper springs!
Trackerjack , i assume the helper springs you have are heavy making postage $$$$$$
Helper springs do not raise the car at all???

Helper springs do not raise the car at all???

Correct - they are used to keep the spring in contact with it's mounts and allow full droop without lifting a wheel (4 wheels in contact with the road is better than 3).
In this instance they will be used to keep the springs correctly seated. Get the car sitting level and measure how much adjustment you have below the bottom of the spring and speak to your supplier about what helpers you need. You may need to change your main springs if you don't have room for the helpers, but speak to your local guys first before jumping to any conclusions.

baz wrote:

gmsclassics wrote:Remember not to lower the suspension by more that 25-30mm without changing the rear suspension mounting or you will raise the roll centre and make the back more likely to break loose.

Geoff

gmsclassics wrote:Good job the roads in WA are smooth as a daily driver with 640lb springs could get very uncomfortable!

Am I correct in thinking that is sarcasm...? Roads here are pretty ordinary. I thought NZ roads were good? (wife is a Kiwi) But springs do not seem too stiff.


Changing the rear suspension mounting, could you explain this a bit more please Geoff?
The height is pretty similiar to previous springs but those were pretty low.
Thanks for all the replies. Will check out the helper springs!
Trackerjack , i assume the helper springs you have are heavy making postage $$$$$$
Helper springs do not raise the car at all???

Hi Baz no they are not heavy and most likely only weigh .25 K I paid £15 for them and they are as new would you like a picture? and correct weight?

Baz

I'm not an expert on the engineering aspects of the impact on lowering the car on th roll centre, but this has been discussed previously on the board under "questions for teckkys".

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17987&start=0&st=0& ... oll+centre

Geoff

Baz

I'm not an expert on the engineering aspects of the impact on lowering the car on th roll centre, but this has been discussed previously on the board under "questions for teckkys".

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17987&start=0&st=0& ... oll+centre

Geoff

trackerjack wrote:

baz wrote:

gmsclassics wrote:Remember not to lower the suspension by more that 25-30mm without changing the rear suspension mounting or you will raise the roll centre and make the back more likely to break loose.

Geoff

gmsclassics wrote:Good job the roads in WA are smooth as a daily driver with 640lb springs could get very uncomfortable!

Am I correct in thinking that is sarcasm...? Roads here are pretty ordinary. I thought NZ roads were good? (wife is a Kiwi) But springs do not seem too stiff.


Changing the rear suspension mounting, could you explain this a bit more please Geoff?
The height is pretty similiar to previous springs but those were pretty low.
Thanks for all the replies. Will check out the helper springs!
Trackerjack , i assume the helper springs you have are heavy making postage $$$$$$
Helper springs do not raise the car at all???

Hi Baz no they are not heavy and most likely only weigh .25 K I paid £15 for them and they are as new would you like a picture? and correct weight?

Yeah that would be great Trackerjack, any idea how much to post to Aus? Perth 6064? They are for the "normal" spring ID of
3 1/4 inch?
Checked out that site thanks Geoff, not sure if it helped as I'm more confused now than before Looks pretty complicated!


Mind you with the bigger rims(16inch) on my white car it does not really appear any lower than the standard height Green one. Normally the only time the rear steps out is when I "step on it!"
Thanks