Things don't seem to be going back together to well

[trout]

Stripped the entire front suspension off and I've been putting it all back together with new components.

Everything was going great until it came time to put in the new spring. It seems that it's too tall. I ordered it from Espo, stock height for the I6 w/ A/C. Compared to the old it seems they have an extra 1/2 coil but overall height of the springs is only about 1/4"-1/2" more so I didn't think anything of it especially when I considered I was comparing them to a set that was 29 years old.

However now that they're installed, it seems they're so long that I can't leave my strut rod connected. From the bottom of the spring cup to the spring perch measures 11", compared to my parts car it was 9".

Is this normal? Will this settle? Right now I'm hoping that once I put it back down on the ground that it will settle but I tried putting some pressure on the LCA w/ a jack and there was no change. Just hoping for some advice before I continue.  TIA.

Here are some pics in case they help.

[AMC of Houston]

IMHO, you really can't tell until you get the whole car's weight back down on them.   But they "look" normal installed to me.   

Btw, you may have your MOOG strut rod bushings on backwards.   One will be stamped on the washer "this side to front" (meaning facing the front of the car) or similar verbiage.

[captspillane]

Looks perfect. The springs are considerably longer without any weight on them. They will also settle considerably in the first year and then steadily from there.

[jim]

Others of us had the same experience with those ESPO springs.  They raised my 88 a couple of inchs (estimated) and after a few years and several thousand miles they haven't settled.  They also haven't caused any problems that I'm aware of.  The lift they provide is apparently within the limits the half shaft can tolerate, at least on my wagon.

[eaglefreek]

Others of us had the same experience with those ESPO springs.  They raised my 88 a couple of inchs (estimated) and after a few years and several thousand miles they haven't settled.  They also haven't caused any problems that I'm aware of.  The lift they provide is apparently within the limits the half shaft can tolerate, at least on my wagon.

Ditto. The springs ESPO sells aren't true replacements for Eagles, they are actually for earlier AMC's like the Javelin. I'm not aware of anyone that makes an actual replacement spring for the Eagle.

[SpreadEagle]

Others of us had the same experience with those ESPO springs.  They raised my 88 a couple of inchs (estimated) and after a few years and several thousand miles they haven't settled.  They also haven't caused any problems that I'm aware of.  The lift they provide is apparently within the limits the half shaft can tolerate, at least on my wagon.

Ditto. The springs ESPO sells aren't true replacements for Eagles, they are actually for earlier AMC's like the Javelin. I'm not aware of anyone that makes an actual replacement spring for the Eagle.

Specialty Spring here in Kansas can make them for a fair price.

[trout]

Thanks for the replies.

AMC of Houston, you were correct about the bushings, I had just google searched pictures and apparently picked a bad one, they are switched around now.


however I can't seem to get them lined up in the bracket to tighten them down now.

will it be okay to set the vehicle down on the ground w/o the strut rods attached?

[eaglebeek]

Rather than put the weight of the car on the suspension without the strut rods I suggest the following:

1. Use the spring compressor to compress the springs.
2. Then put a block between the upper A-arm and the frame. You can cut a 2x4 to fit in there, but use a hardwood block as the suspension will splinter a pine or spruce board like it isn't there.
3. Now release the spring compressor and you should be able to safely assemble the rest of the suspension.

I'm concerned about putting the weight of the car on the suspension without the strut rods. There's nothing other than the single bushing at the inside pivot holding the lower arm. If you have no other way you must block the wheels to keep the lower arm from kicking out.

[trout]

thanks I'll give it a try that way first.



So I've been doing my own research, just gonna put my rambling thoughts out there.

It seems the Espo springs are or were just Moog springs at one point?
The Espo part #s listed in the eaglepedia and over on the amc forum are Moog part #s:
http://www.fme-cat.com/PartDetailWindow.aspx?brand=MC&pt=Coil%20Spring%20Set&PartNumber=3156#.UTrECXG7Ics
And # 3156 is for the Concord Wagon w/ 4.2L and A/C.
I don't think Moog would list a part with a vehicle just because it's close enough, but I also notice they don't cross list it with the Eagle. Not sure what to think there. Tomorrow when I get a chance I'll measure the uninstalled spring to see if it matches the dimensions listed.

However I see now they are indeed 2" too big as the unladen install height should be 9.5" (I measured again properly and my parts car matched) compared to the 11.5" with the Espo springs.


I'd really like to have a new set of springs to go with my new everything else so I'll keep them for now.
Looking forward if I experience the same height issues and it's more than I like, it seems I'm at least lucky it's a straight rate spring with a tangential end. So it can be cut safely if done properly. Anyone ever try this? It'll probably be my likely path unless the spring rate is too much.

[SpreadEagle]

Been meaning to post this incase anyone needed springs coilsprings.com location shops around here recommend. They are here in Kansas and the more information you have easier they can make springs. They do all sorts. They even was going to do my Kammy. But I ran into the rust.

[BenM]

I went through the Moog catalog for the Pacer front springs. I had to poke around a bit to find it, but they have a listing of rate, length, etc. on their website. If you go through the list you can see what the numbers mean and pick a different spring if you want.

You can also cut one coil off. It lowers the height and stiffens the coil just a bit. (Think of it as a big lever wrapped around itself. The shorter the lever the less deflection possible.)

[EAGLER]

front shocks are missing they also keep the spring compressed up so you can have clearance enough to install the strut rod.

[trout]

I'm afraid the spring might pull the shock apart. Plus I wouldn't have been able to get those in either, the suspension had dropped so far that top of the shock wouldn't clear the top of spring let alone the upper shock mount.

I compressed the spring again just to get the strut rod in with the bushings oriented the right way and left a block of wood under the upper control arm so it wouldn't drop so far that I couldn't attach the shock and got that in. Thing is now the block of wood is stuck in there.

I measured the springs side by side. Over all diameter was the same, and while the overall length was the same the new ones have exactly 1/2 a coil more.  The stock used to make the new springs is also thicker by about .02". And it also feels heavier so it might also be a stronger metal. When pressing down on them the original springs are much softer. Unfortunately I do not have a scale I can (ab)use to check out just how much they are off and I have no way of knowing if that's just from the age.

Just going by the measurements my stock springs more closely matched part # 3140, the recommend springs for a 4-cyl w/o a/c. I'll wait till the drive train is installed and it's back down on the ground before getting some to try out.

[eaglefreek]

I've got the springs you installed on mine and even have a spacer to get a little more lift and didn't have much trouble getting the shock installed. I think you are on the right track with needing the weight of the drive train in there. But if you don't want any extra lift, this might be the best time to go with different springs.

[trout]

yup, while working on it tonight I decided to just pull the one new spring I did install out and put the originals back in for now. I'm gonna call Espo up tomorrow and see if I can exchange them for the softer ones.  don't want to add any height and I definitely don't want a stiffer than stock ride.