Spring pads - positive/negatives?

[Bimmerfanatik]

When I replace my springs and shocks, I really don't want to put old 286K mile spring pads back in, but I also don't want to a)spend money on new ones, or b)get the new ones and have added height because they aren't worn out.

Is it that bad to run without them? Any extra NVH? Will it shorten the life of your springs?

[BahnE30]

the springs will squeek a little where it's metal to metal but it'll be fine.

[Mystikal]

Read Charlie's second quote in your sig. They're like $10 MAX.

3mm also isn't going to make any sort of noticeable difference, it's all in people's heads.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Read Charlie's second quote in your sig. They're like $10 MAX.

3mm also isn't going to make any sort of noticeable difference, it's all in people's heads.

Haha, looks like that quote backfired on me ;) I didn't realize spring pads were that cheap. Is that all around?

If they really don't make a difference either way, why do people bother taking them out? Is it really just psychological? Because if it is, I'd rather run them - BMW put them there for a reason. Besides, metal to metal is never a good thing in suspensions...

[ultima]

Yeah I just ordered all new suspenson wear parts at the dealer yesterday. Just spring pads, nuts and bolts, caps, all the itty bitty things.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Yeah I just ordered all new suspenson wear parts at the dealer yesterday. Just spring pads, nuts and bolts, caps, all the itty bitty things.

How bout some prices captain? :)

[Digitalwave]

I paid like $24 for 4 spring pads. They aren't cheap, but they aren't expensive. That was from the dealer.

I run without them, its a little more noisy but I did it for the extra few mm of drop.

[nando]

I didn't think spring pads wore out.. in any case, running without them isn't going to hurt anything either. removing the front ones made about 1/4" difference in front and around 3/8" in the rear on my ix. a small difference, but I wouldn't want my car to sit any higher.

[Bimmerfanatik]

I didn't think spring pads wore out.. in any case, running without them isn't going to hurt anything either. removing the front ones made about 1/4" difference in front and around 3/8" in the rear on my ix. a small difference, but I wouldn't want my car to sit any higher.

it's rubber...they gotta wear/break down somewhat, right?

Seems like there's no reason really to ride them, though the gain in lower height seems negligible. Hm.

[enercity]

so it won't wear anything out at all or hurt anything to run without them? if that's the case, I don't think I'll mind the extra noise for the extra drop, unless the squeaking is unbearable.

[Digitalwave]

I didn't think spring pads wore out.. in any case, running without them isn't going to hurt anything either. removing the front ones made about 1/4" difference in front and around 3/8" in the rear on my ix. a small difference, but I wouldn't want my car to sit any higher.

it's rubber...they gotta wear/break down somewhat, right?

Seems like there's no reason really to ride them, though the gain in lower height seems negligible. Hm.

It depends on the car. I got about 1/4 off the front and like 1/2" of height off the rear with removing mine.

There are no squeeks from my springs. Depending on your area, you might get rust on the springs and spring perches from the metal on metal contact. It's not an issue in Florida though.

[nando]

I didn't think spring pads wore out.. in any case, running without them isn't going to hurt anything either. removing the front ones made about 1/4" difference in front and around 3/8" in the rear on my ix. a small difference, but I wouldn't want my car to sit any higher.

it's rubber...they gotta wear/break down somewhat, right?

Seems like there's no reason really to ride them, though the gain in lower height seems negligible. Hm.

sure, but they don't do a whole lot. there was nothing wrong with mine after 125k.

and my springs don't squeak either. I do have a clicking noise in the back, but I'm starting to think it's my TA bushings. I only removed the top pads in the rear, FYI.

[Bimmerfanatik]

I didn't think spring pads wore out.. in any case, running without them isn't going to hurt anything either. removing the front ones made about 1/4" difference in front and around 3/8" in the rear on my ix. a small difference, but I wouldn't want my car to sit any higher.

it's rubber...they gotta wear/break down somewhat, right?

Seems like there's no reason really to ride them, though the gain in lower height seems negligible. Hm.

It depends on the car. I got about 1/4 off the front and like 1/2" of height off the rear with removing mine.

There are no squeeks from my springs. Depending on your area, you might get rust on the springs and spring perches from the metal on metal contact. It's not an issue in Florida though.

Yeah....being in the rust belt means metal to metal not such a good idea. I'm gonna put them in and go 4x4 rallying in my e30 :)

SUPAWORLDRALLY OMFG!!!!!!

[Digitalwave]