Rear GC adjuster + 5'' spring + bilstein sport = loose spring?!?

[MatRacer]

I presently planning my suspension setup and got around a deal and bought it.

Basically, In the rear I would have 5'' long 2.25'' dia 500lbs/in springs with GC adjuster and bilstein shocks.

I test fitted it and when the car is off the ground the spring can literally be removed without unbolting the shock! Is this normal? Seams dangerous to me even if I don't intend to jump ;)...

I know that GC offers tall shock mounts, but at 150$, I could also do the camaro shock swap...But do I really need it?!?

Thanks for your advices!

[glnr13]

you can put spring tenders in there if it concerns you but most of the community are living on the edge whether lowering spring or coilovers. i haven't heard or seen of anyone's busting out of the nipples.

[Edirtyy808]

its not normal, but people do it anyways for the lows. but at 500lbs, is that stiff enough? well if youre not going super low, then i guess its okay.

[MatRacer]

In front, the spring cant go very far away, but can kind of jump out of its seat...

[MR 325]

its not normal, but people do it anyways for the lows. but at 500lbs, is that stiff enough? well if youre not going super low, then i guess its okay.

Actually it IS normal when running 5" rear springs for them to be loose when the car is not on the ground.

[MatRacer]

yeah, sure with the suspension geometry and shock length, it is ''normal''. However, Lets say I get a Ground Control complete coilover kit with koni shocks. Will the spring be loose when car raised or the koni shock is really shorter to prevent that?

[AndrewBird]

If you are really concerned about it, use some mechanics wire to wire them in place so they can't fall out. I did this on my Mk2 VW in the front so the spring wouldn't move out of place when the car was jacked up. There isn't any force pushing the spring sideways when it isn't compressed, so wire is more then enough to hold it in place.

[acolella76]

I used to do the same thing as what Andrew mentioned more or less. There was room to drill a small hole on the adjuster so I could ziptie the spring to the adjuster. Works great as long as you don't have coil bind!

[Cletonius]

yeah, sure with the suspension geometry and shock length, it is ''normal''. However, Lets say I get a Ground Control complete coilover kit with koni shocks. Will the spring be loose when car raised or the koni shock is really shorter to prevent that?

I have that kit, the rear spring is in there tight with the shock bolted up.