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Do I need new springs?

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Old 03-15-2012 | 11:12 PM
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Question Do I need new springs?

2000 SS with 100,000 miles. All original and stock. I noticed it didn't look level from behind so I measured all 4 corners. They were all 4 different.

LF 27 1/2
RF 27 1/8
LR 27 3/4
RR 28 1/8

How do I correct ride height? New springs or something else?
Old 03-15-2012 | 11:14 PM
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That or new shocks. Springs do sag over time. But so do shocks.
Old 03-15-2012 | 11:57 PM
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Shocks should not affect ride height. The only time they might is if they are seized up.
Old 03-16-2012 | 01:29 AM
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you must have real good eyes to notice 1/4" difference from standing back.
Old 03-16-2012 | 04:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Q3131A
2000 SS with 100,000 miles. All original and stock. I noticed it didn't look level from behind so I measured all 4 corners. They were all 4 different.

LF 27 1/2
RF 27 1/8
LR 27 3/4
RR 28 1/8

How do I correct ride height? New springs or something else?
You probably just need to re-index the rear springs, the front should be good once you get in the car. The front could also be off from the caster and camber being different from side-to-side, but 3/8" variation is about normal.
Old 03-16-2012 | 08:25 AM
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Wow! At least I know how much drop my Sportlines gave, I am 25.5 up front, 26 in the back. Can't wait to get my new BMR springs in this weekend!

Jon
Old 03-16-2012 | 10:11 AM
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The original factory springs will sag over time, yes. We offer a lifetime warranty against sag on our lowering springs and can do so because of the high-quality materials and manufacturing process. Each spring is compressed flat twice before being sold and tested for consistency which is with 2%! This step in manufacturing allows them to retain the same height for as long as you own your car.

Our springs will bring your ride height to around 26-inches up front and about 26 3/4 for the rear. With the hose mod, the ride height is about dead even.

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Old 03-16-2012 | 01:33 PM
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Originally Posted by BMR Tech2
The original factory springs will sag over time, yes. We offer a lifetime warranty against sag on our lowering springs and can do so because of the high-quality materials and manufacturing process. Each spring is compressed flat twice before being sold and tested for consistency which is with 2%! This step in manufacturing allows them to retain the same height for as long as you own your car.

Our springs will bring your ride height to around 26-inches up front and about 26 3/4 for the rear. With the hose mod, the ride height is about dead even.

- Kevin
Thanks for the info. The only problem is I don't want to lower my car. Do you sell stock height springs of the same amazing quality?
Old 03-16-2012 | 02:04 PM
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I think you fine, your ride height seems to still be a good.
If anything you probably should check the condition of the rear upper spring isolators, and the upper mounts up front. Those could need replacing after 100k.
Old 03-17-2012 | 02:30 PM
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If you're measuring your "ride height" at the apex of the fender openings, which it appears you are, that isn't always the most accurate place to be measuring. The factory specifies the measurement to be made at the rocker panels, about 4" behind the front wheels, and 4" ahead of the rear wheels.
Old 03-17-2012 | 03:03 PM
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Originally Posted by leadfoot4
If you're measuring your "ride height" at the apex of the fender openings, which it appears you are, that isn't always the most accurate place to be measuring. The factory specifies the measurement to be made at the rocker panels, about 4" behind the front wheels, and 4" ahead of the rear wheels.
That may be but were ever I measure from my car isn't level. It's driving me nuts now that I've noticed it.
Old 03-17-2012 | 04:01 PM
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actually they are made at the lower control arms.
Old 03-18-2012 | 08:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Q3131A
That may be but were ever I measure from my car isn't level. It's driving me nuts now that I've noticed it.
Right, but my point is, especially in the front of the car, you're assuming the fenders are screwed to the car in the exact same position, side to side. In many cases, they are not.


Originally Posted by LS1121
actually they are made at the lower control arms.
You are 100% correct, but it's a PITA to get under there and get an accurate measurement, so most people won't go through the effort. That's why I mentioned the rocker panel measurement, as it's probably the best compromise between the a-arm point, and the "top of the fender opening" method....
Old 03-18-2012 | 01:50 PM
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I 'd also check the condition of the sway-bar endlinks, make sure none are loose, bent, or broken.
Old 03-19-2012 | 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Q3131A
Thanks for the info. The only problem is I don't want to lower my car. Do you sell stock height springs of the same amazing quality?
Unfortunately, we do not sell a spring that doesn't lower the car. It's common for the factory springs to sag after a certain amount of time and miles, so that's probably what's happening with your car right now. I would look into finding a factory replacement from a company like Moog where the quality control may have been a little higher on the spring materials. This will even the ride out.
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Old 03-29-2012 | 11:00 PM
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Originally Posted by 99Bluz28
You probably just need to re-index the rear springs...
How do you do that?
Old 03-30-2012 | 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Q3131A
How do you do that?
Make sure the end of the pigtail on both springs is pointing forward(front of car).
Old 03-30-2012 | 02:10 PM
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First, you must realize that the car does not weigh the exact same amount at each corner, not even the two rear corners. This alone means the car will never sit exactly the same height even at the two rear corners. If you have a stock 115 pound/inch spring and one corner is 800 pounds and the other is 755, the heavier one will sit lower. Also it's pretty normal that the left side sits a touch higher than the right side on these cars.

If you want to get the heights EXACT you need ride height adjustment.

Now, do you need to change springs? Nope, given those heights they are clearly not yielded and sagging. If you want to stay stock height, keep the springs and improve the handling with shocks and swaybars, and that sort of stuff.
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Old 03-30-2012 | 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Sam Strano
Also it's pretty normal that the left side sits a touch higher than the right side on these cars.
What Sam said. Do a search and I'm sure you'll find pages of threads talking about the right side setting lower. I had 3 sets of springs on my SS over the years, and it always set lower on the right.
Old 03-30-2012 | 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Sam Strano
If you want to get the heights EXACT you need ride height adjustment.
How do I do this?

I put the car on ramps in garage yesterday. I even measured ramps to be sure they all set level. I did measurements from under car and got the same differences as measuring wheel wells. I also checked everything I could. Everything tight and nothing broke.

Anyway, here's the deal. I bought this car brand new off the truck December of 1999. I've been looking at it from every angle for over 12 years. In the garage, in the driveway, across parking lots, etc. It didn't set like this most of it's life. From behind it looks like I have a flat tire.


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