Spring cans

[Scuderia cavallino]

Could anyone advise me on how to get the springs out and check how stiff they are please? I have no idea what spring rates I've got.  I have removed from car, but cant see where to go from there? thanks

[Paul Robertson]

Cut the end off,see how much they compress for a set weight.

[Scuderia cavallino]

Duly cut one open. Going to send off to get tested. Whats interesting, well to me, is that they are different sized springs front and rear. Not seen that anywhere else.

The rears are 1.7 dia.
15.5 cm long
10 cm dia
6.6 int diameter
whilst fronts are
1.9 cm dia
15.1 long
10.3 ext
6.5 int.

Presume if these are not upgraded springs I need to replace with same lengths at the uprated strength?

[Derek Coghill]

The spring length affects how much of the thread on the tie rod may be screwed into the removable rod end.

Front and rear rods are different lengths too, so don't mix them up....

[Scuderia cavallino]

Many thanks Derek, just the kind of thing I so easily do. But on this occasion have managed to keep separate!

[Ken Hanna]

You could always run those details through one of the many free spring rate calculators which are available on the internet.    ;)

Some examples here...
http://www.reliablespring.co.uk/calculator.htm
http://www.pontiacracing.net/js_coil_spring_rate.htm

Btw, the original spring rates were different, with 'around' 800 lbs/in at the front and closer to 900 lbs/in for the rear.
Some details here, for comparison with your modified springs;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30132857@N06/4259290322/in/photostream

Ken  

Duly cut one open. Going to send off to get tested. Whats interesting, well to me, is that they are different sized springs front and rear. Not seen that anywhere else.

The rears are 1.7 dia.
15.5 cm long
10 cm dia
6.6 int diameter
whilst fronts are
1.9 cm dia
15.1 long
10.3 ext
6.5 int.

Presume if these are not upgraded springs I need to replace with same lengths at the uprated strength?

[Scuderia cavallino]

Thanks for help. Took springs to friends garage with the proper gear to measure. They came out as "The lightweight spring was measured at 2050 lb and the heavy gauge one was 2800 lb."

So sounds like I got race ready springs then!

[Paul Robertson]

It would appear so,that's £200 you won't need to spend now.