Boing

amcdonald

Active Member
Hello

On the front passenger side of my 3500S nada, on which I replaced the ball joints and springs, I notice a noise when the wheel gets deflected up (such as when driving up a ramp fast ish) that is boingy in nature. Just a little boing when the wheel goes up or down too in the reverse of this maneuver. It's not horrendous, but I don't thing they should be boinging. What could I have messed up?

I have never had a 3500 before but it is a bit sloppy up front.

Thanks
 
Hi Adrian,

Best if you post a range of photos, makes identification of a potential problem much easier in this instance.

Are the springs sitting straight or do they curve in one direction or another? If they conform to the latter, then there is a problem with them.

Ron.
 
OK. Here is a pic. Now it dawns on me that this might be the first time I have poked my head in and looked at the new springs when the front of the car is not jacked up as this does not look too fantastic!



I assume that these are twisted / bent excessively and what might be the cause / remedy? Doing the springs is such a lovely job, as I found out the one time I did it. I suspect that I shall be practicing some more before long after seeing this..............
 

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OK, so it's obvious now. Looks like what I installed is not correct, or at least needs major surgery. If it's not flat on the end then it's not going to be straight is it? I was sure I got these from a "proper" supplier but I don't really recall that well. nearly got on the road there for a minute. Any ideas as to what I have?
 

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I looked at some new ones on web sites and they looked the same as mine. Basically I expect that when you place the spring upright on a flat horizontal surface and they look like the leaning tower of Pisa then this is always going to happen as more force is being exerted through the last couple of inches of the spring. They "just" need to be ground down until they stand up straight like the post office tower to continue the architectural comparisons?

If I am correct, seems like this should come up more often. I am still a bit non plussed about this. I guess I could leave them but I don't like the boings!!!
 
If what you surmise is correct Adrian, then in my mind they are not fit for purpose. If you have a look at this thread that I wrote...viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18094 the springs both stand perpendicular on the ground and lay in a straight line once installed, exactly as they should.

It would seem appropriate for the company responsible for the manufacture of your springs to review their QA procedures, and take steps as deemed necessary to correct the fault.

Ron.
 
Yep. I think they were falsely advertised as 3500 springs and in hindsight it is obvious that this is an issue especially with such a huge amount of force involved. In fact now I recall at the time noticing this difference and thinking "hmmm". Just another not quite fitting part. Like the new wooden p6 gear knob that was just the wrong size and the rubber seals that did not quite work properly. The first set I came across from a parts supplier when I googled a couple of days ago looked exactly the same. Maybe it says "please grind flat" in the small print. I really don't want to replace them again but better now than later I suppose.
 
I may have dreamed this, I do that sometimes, but shouldn't the painted lines be at the top?

I am sure that when me and Adam fitted Sparky's front suspension, that we took great care in ensuring the springs were up the right way. I don't think we would have done this so meticulously if it had not been important.

Check where the ends of the springs are, both ends, and mark them on the front end. They should be at the bottom each side of the bottom of the spring.



Richard
 

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Maybe the lines should be, and I read that elsewhere too upon poking around a bit, but with the very large offset/step between the end of the spring and the next part of the coil now I find it hard to see how they could ever really be straight in position irrespective of orientation if they do not stand up remotely straight on their own. The bendyness would just move around a bit?

My 2000TC springs are "flat" and the ones I took out of the 3500 were too. I am resigned to it........the buggers are coming out I suppose.
 
Looks like those would exhibit a lot lower "Pisa Factor" than mine! Part of the end is shaped to prevent that so it appears.
 
I have done springs several times over the years for various reasons. Unfortunately yours would not be the first set of non factory springs not to fit the car theya re sold for. When I was actually working as a mechanic aout one five fice sets we received had something not right with them. I always bought the factory items unless the customer wanted something else and then when they did I refused wto warranty them for just that reason. First however, Check the end plates are properly seated into the spring (so they are parrallel to each other and the spring is not bent sitting on the ground) and check that the rubber on the end of the arm is still ok and that the wheel end cone has not split. I've got spares if you can't get a replacement in US. Also check the shock mounts PARTICULARLY the BACk ones behind the rear seats. Test them by twisting the unit at bottom and top as well as up and down and sideways. Sometimes they turn slightly causing a noise. Read the manual very carefully as it is quite detailed and there are a few variations to take into account. PS Does anyone actually own a set of the proper spring rods for this job? I'd love some measurements so I can make a set up!
 
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