Date:         Wed, 16 Jun 1999 22:53:24 -0700
Reply-To:     "Steven X. Schwenk" <Steve@SCHWENK-LAW.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Steven X. Schwenk" <Steve@SCHWENK-LAW.COM>
Subject:      Re: More Spring Info Tutorial (cure for saggy springs?)
Comments: To: "James S. Cohen" <jscohen@SPRYNET.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

James, do they make them for the syncro?  Are the rear springs the same in shape as the stock spring (progressive wound...narrower at top and thinner wire at the ends)?  How much are they?  Any way of finding out the spring rate?  Do you live near a spring manufacturer...they can test them and tell you in a matter of minutes.  How quickly can you get them?
steve


"James S. Cohen" wrote:

> Dear All
>
> I thought this excerpt from a book on performance chassis and suspension tuning might help with the spring problems.
>
> First, a few definitions concerning the way springs are sprung.
>
> "Spring Load is the amount of weight it takes to compress the spring to a given height which is expressed in lbs."
>
> "Spring Rate is the amount of weight it takes to compress the spring one inch which is expressed in lbs-in."
>
> "Spring RATE does not change as the spring is compressed, but the spring LOAD does."
>
> "The spring load determines how much weight the spring can support at a given height."
>
> "The spring rate determines how much spring the will compress as the loading increases."
>
> "Although the spring rate will not change during the life of a spring, the spring load can change. This is commonly called spring sag. Loss of load, or spring sag, can be caused by a variety of reasons, including poor metallurgy, overloading, and even fatigue due to high milage.
>
> If a spring has lost load, this problem should not be corrected by changing the spring rate. If a spring has sagged, you can get the load back to normal using several methods. For coil springs, the usual procedure is to place a rubber shim on top of the spring to increase the load. (These spring shims are available through car dealership parts departments and from auto parts stores.)"
>
> --Chassis Engineering, Herb Adams, HP Books, 1993--
>
> Well NOT to reignite the "shim on top or bottom" controversey of a year ago, but I believe a shim on the bottom will do the same thing as on top, it depends on where it's easier to insert the thing!
>
> However, this seems to be a very credible reason to NOT BUY new springs (SA or otherwise) to JUST fix the saggy springs.
>
> Only change to stronger springs to improve the handling or if you (like me) have a heavy Westy, or carry a lot of crap around (like me), or both (er..like me).
>
> I hope this Helps everyone.
>
> James
>
> PS I've still got a few SA grilles left! ;)