[Shotimes] Re: OEM Springs

[George Fourchy]

On Thu, 11 Mar 2004 23:01:20 -0800 (PST), Johnsho92 wrote:

>what is a Sho owner to do if they want the normal smooth ride of the OEM springs?

Springs that aren't shortened, like Eibachs, or cut by you or me, won't usually
result in a harsher ride than original springs, new or old.  They will tend to sag
when they wear out, which is the problem we encounter, but they usually won't ride
rough.  That comes from whatever strut you install with them.

You can go to NAPA and get their version of Cargo Coil springs for the rear.  They
are not much rougher riding, if at all....they're designed to carry more load, yet
allow the car to ride at the same height when the trunk and back seat are empty. 
Moog Cargo Coils are available under that brand name as well, at most large auto
parts stores.  CC springs are available for the front as well.  I have a set, but
haven't needed to use them yet, and so don't know their ride charactoristics.  

For the fronts, you can check past threads on the various markings from the
factory...there are various weight capacities that are indicated by different paint
stripes on the springs.  What I'd do is go get a set out of a wagon at a yard. 
Theoretically, wagons should have higher capacity springs because they occasionally
carry more cargo than a sedan does, plus they often come with the rear facing rear
seat, which raises the pax capacity to 8.  That's a fair amount of weight that
sedans also do not see.  (I know the rear springs carry the majority of the load
when a car is loaded, but the fronts will be heavier duty, too.)

I got a set of plain front springs a while back from a GL sedan at my PnP.  They are
on the Lowrider now (early '90, with 263K miles...been sitting for a while due to
rear end damage, but about to hit the road again) ...have been for at least 3 years,
and they are holding it up just fine, on the highway and on the track.  They were 10
bucks each, I think.  Some folks here will say that yard springs are a questionable
choice, but they have worked for me for a long time...well before this car.  

George