Why is there space between my front spring and the strut mount/spring seat?

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  • ScHpAnKy
    E30 Mastermind
    • May 2009
    • 1573

    #1

    Why is there space between my front spring and the strut mount/spring seat?

    Got new strut assemblies because the collar nuts were frozen onto my other 4 ones, got KYB GR-2 cartridges and put some SPAX springs in the front of my euro build, however - when I put the strut mounts back on there, there's still a good 4-5in of distance between the top of the SPAX springs and the spring seat, even with compression I'd need some sort of spacer to crank it down so that the spring isn't rattling around on the cartridge... what the hell gives? I haven't done this drastic of a drop (3") on an e30 before, but I can't imagine that this is the first time somebody's come across this?

    When it's mounted on the car, it'll likely compress and seat, but I'm worried that the spring will unseat in adverse suspension conditions... I

    I even went so far as picking up two regular m12x1.25 nuts and tried to thread them on... what's odd is that it threads about 2.5" down the shock cartridge and then completely binds up and won't travel further - this is so frustrating.

    91 318i | 87 535iS
  • nando
    Moderator
    • Nov 2003
    • 34827

    #2
    put it on the car, there's space because the spring is much shorter. it's not going to rattle around, it's going to sit on the spring.
    Build thread

    Bimmerlabs

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    • ScHpAnKy
      E30 Mastermind
      • May 2009
      • 1573

      #3
      Originally posted by nando
      put it on the car, there's space because the spring is much shorter. it's not going to rattle around, it's going to sit on the spring.
      so you're positive that even though the spring rattles around on the assembly because it doesn't mate to the spring seats, when the car is dropped on the springs it'll sit on the spring seats and never come undone? It's a little worrying that the springs have so much play when they're free-standing.

      91 318i | 87 535iS

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      • nando
        Moderator
        • Nov 2003
        • 34827

        #4
        yes. this is common with drop in springs, especially ones that are meant to dump the car.
        Build thread

        Bimmerlabs

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        • ScHpAnKy
          E30 Mastermind
          • May 2009
          • 1573

          #5
          good to know, I feel a lot more confident about my front setup now, thanks!

          91 318i | 87 535iS

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          • ak-
            R3V OG
            • May 2009
            • 12422

            #6
            Hello,
            I am also here to build your confidence in saying that this is normal for shorter springs like yours among others.
            It ain't going anywhere.

            1991 325iS turbo

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            • MR 325
              Moderator
              • Oct 2003
              • 37825

              #7
              If you were to jump your car at high speed, say 6 feet off the ground, the spring may move around though.

              Keep that in mind.
              BimmerHeads
              Classic BMW Specialists
              Santa Clarita, CA

              www.BimmerHeads.com

              Comment

              • CabbE30
                R3VLimited
                • Aug 2009
                • 2358

                #8
                Originally posted by MR 325
                If you were to jump your car at high speed, say 6 feet off the ground, the spring may move around though.

                Keep that in mind.


                Some people do it..

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