REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

q0192837465 · 08-12-2011, 12:27 AM

Sorry for my ignorance but I can't seem to google the answer. I recently bought a car that the previous owner lowered with H&R sport. It feels too low (bottoming out on speed bumps) and the ride is too rough. Someone told me to get some spring spacers and that should make the ride better. Can someone let me know if that's the case?

Btw, the previous owner didnt give me the stock suspensions so that's out of the question.

JordanLee · 08-12-2011, 12:35 AM

Perhaps they mean get proper bump stops or install helper springs? Other than that I mean bump stops only help when you physically bottom out the shock. It wont change handling characteristics. Other than that I mean the only way youre going to change the ride is either buying softer springs or adjusting the rebound and stiffness (if theyre adjustable)

Bump stops:

Helper springs:

q0192837465 · 08-12-2011, 12:43 AM

Thanks, I'm pretty sure that the shocks r not bottoming out. Maybe helper spring is what I'm looking for. I suppose spring spacer sort of does what helper springs do and that is to slightly increase ride height. Am I correct?

Jgresch · 08-12-2011, 12:49 AM

what abotu extended top hats? or you're on stock struts?

q0192837465 · 08-12-2011, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgresch

what abotu extended top hats? or you're on stock struts?

I believe that shocks are stock, just the springs got changed.

Bonka · 08-12-2011, 01:16 AM

Regular lowering springs are usually progressive rate, meaning that they are more rigid the more they are compressed and are forgiving at absorbing smaller bumps. Helper springs do this for coilovers for a more compliant ride so helper springs will not help you.

I don't know if they even make helper springs for regular diameter springs, but they don't increase the ride height. It may even make the springs more susceptible to coil bind.

Unless the dampers have failed, it sounds like you do not have enough shock travel either due to the amount of drop and/or the bumpstop hasn't been trimmed.

What kind of car is this?

TOPEC · 08-12-2011, 01:16 AM

i believe what ur looking for are TENDER springs, NOT HELPER SPRINGS as helper springs r just there to take up the slack of a short main spring at full shock extension

op ur best route is to get some oem springs either used or junkyard as depending on ur suspension setup, it can be quite a challenge to add helper/tender springs and not cost effective

ilvtofu · 08-12-2011, 08:12 AM

The H&R sport on stock shocks aren't always a good idea, in fact they blew the shocks on my mom's C class many years ago within a week. The sports with Koni Yellows were amazing though as far as ride/damping and also reliability, however the car still scraped over speed bumps. IIRC on the GTI forums, they say the H&R's take off half your shock life.

Perhaps get new stiffer shocks? won't help you on ride height but will feel more in control

Try giving previous owner a call, some people don't throw away their stock springs (ie. me..) but if they had them at a junkyard/ebay used they shouldn't be expensive either.

q0192837465 · 08-12-2011, 09:38 AM

What about spring spacer? I did some more googling and it seems that they do slightly add back some ride height. I suppose the ride quality is bearable but ride height is what gets me (ie. I can't go to 2nd floor in Parker Place). Also, can spacers increase shock travel by increasing ride height and in turn help the longevity of the shocks a bit?

I don't want to spend too much money right now. If I were to order some after market shocks I might as well let my current one dies before doing so.

ilvtofu · 08-12-2011, 09:41 AM

My guess is these spacers are custom fit so if you could find them they could work. But you're going to have to take apart the strut assembly anyways and get an alignment after so might as well find stock springs which will be more reliable?
unless you like it low, perhaps go for an eibach spring which will be a more mild drop than the H&R usually

stewie · 08-12-2011, 09:47 AM

ive seen them on some trucks before, i remember asking about them years ago. was an old mans truck and he told me that you take the pressure off the spring, and stick a little wedge type thing in between the coil and it stays there pretty damn good cause its formed to fit specifically. then when you lower the car, the spring can no longer compress all the way adding back maybe an inch or so.

--edit--

here you go, spring spacers go half way down the page, you'll see what im talking about...it looks like a little ms paint drawn picture...but you get the idea from it

q0192837465 · 08-12-2011, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilvtofu

My guess is these spacers are custom fit so if you could find them they could work. But you're going to have to take apart the strut assembly anyways and get an alignment after so might as well find stock springs which will be more reliable?
unless you like it low, perhaps go for an eibach spring which will be a more mild drop than the H&R usually

I like it low, but just not THAT low.

The car is a SLK55 btw. I had been trying to find Eibachs but they dun make them anymore

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewie

ive seen them on some trucks before, i remember asking about them years ago. was an old mans truck and he told me that you take the pressure off the spring, and stick a little wedge type thing in between the coil and it stays there pretty damn good cause its formed to fit specifically. then when you lower the car, the spring can no longer compress all the way adding back maybe an inch or so.

--edit--

here you go, spring spacers go half way down the page, you'll see what im talking about...it looks like a little ms paint drawn picture...but you get the idea from it

That looks interest. Have to see if they make them for my car.

SumAznGuy · 08-12-2011, 10:34 AM

Spring spacers are gay and the poor man's way of raising the car back up if you lowered it. Sorta like cutting your stock springs to get the car lowered.

Just go online and see if you can find some stock springs. That will be your best bet.
Or spend the money on proper performance shocks/coilovers if you want the car lowered.

Phil@rise · 08-12-2011, 11:37 AM

You still havent mentioned what type of car you're talking about. Spring spacers typically are made of dense rubber and mount on either end of the spring depending on application. They will not benefit your ride quality but will raise your car. Most likely you will have a hard time finding them being they are generally made for off road applications as leveling or cheap lifts for trucks.
If you do find them they most likely will cost more then a new/used set of springs and are just as much work to install as new springs.

SumAznGuy · 08-12-2011, 12:03 PM

He has a SLK55. It's in his most recent post.