H&R Race spring install - did I do something wrong?

[bykerboy]

I installed H&R race springs on my '89 325is today. The rears went fine, the front springs are not under compression when I have the car up in the air and the strut mounted. They just spin freely around the spring perchs.

Is this normal or have I missed something on my install.

Thanks in advance!

[kenika65]

did you put the correct struts in also?

[bykerboy]

Yes, definitely got the correct struts in the rear and front.

The front struts have a retainer that screws into the lower strut housing.

[NOMAD]

race springs are significantly shorter than stock. Do you have the spring pads in?
Drop it down to the ground and look at it.

[bykerboy]

race springs are significantly shorter than stock. Do you have the spring pads in?
Drop it down to the ground and look at it.

Yes, the spring pads are in. I haven't dropped it to the ground yet but will tomorrow.

I was just curious if anyone had done the install and had this same issue.

[atomic]

You are fine, mine does the same thing. Just make sure when dropping it down that you reach in and make sure the springs seat properly in the perches...


:up: :up:

[bykerboy]

Very cool, glad to hear it and thanks!

[JGood]

Yep, it's normal. Mine move up and down freely a good inch or so (I have no spring pads).

[E30_fiend]

I have Turner JStock suspension and my front springs fall to the side when i jack the car up. lots of movement due to a shorter spring. the upper spring perch and strut bearing only tighten down so much and they are set at a height to accomadate a stock spring.

so I will 3rd the "youre fine" comment. its just a drastically shorter spring than stock.







Taylor

[bykerboy]

Thanks for all the feedback. It is greatly appreciated and I am glad things are as they are supposed to be.

[FreedS4]

Just installed my fronts today and it did the same thing. Glad to hear that it's supposed to be like that. I've only driven it a few miles but I'm already a big fan of this set-up.

[ruppcam]

has anyone had any funny noises from their front end, cause I installed shorter springs as well and they have room to move when the car is jacked up. Im getting a knock when turning the wheel and its coming from the springs.

Also, what happens when you corner really hard or go over a bump and the spring has a chance to full decompress. Wouldnt the spring then move out of place. It just seems like a shitty way to have your suspension set up. Are there any other struts out there that are made to accomodate a shorter spring??

[JGood]

has anyone had any funny noises from their front end, cause I installed shorter springs as well and they have room to move when the car is jacked up. Im getting a knock when turning the wheel and its coming from the springs.

Also, what happens when you corner really hard or go over a bump and the spring has a chance to full decompress. Wouldnt the spring then move out of place. It just seems like a shitty way to have your suspension set up. Are there any other struts out there that are made to accomodate a shorter spring??

It's normal to have the spring loose when the car is jacked up. It's not going anywhere when there is weight on the car.

As far as the noise, that's not normal and isn't caused by the length of the spring. Do you have camber plates? Is the spring seated properly?

What strut inserts are you using? You don't need anything shorter then Bilstein Sport or Koni's.

[Unearth078]

i had that knocking noise before i switched to h and r race an bilstein sports... all gone, original setup was bilsteing hd's and i think stock springs so something in your end must be incorrect.

[87e30]

The noise could be from your springs spinning, you might be missing a washer or two when you reinstalled everything. It's hard to know exactly what you're talking about.

Look here for reference: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...cking+steering