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Assembling suspension - spring "loose" in the shocks

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Old 06-26-2013, 12:16 PM
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Assembling suspension - spring "loose" in the shocks

I got used Progress springs and brand new KYB GR2.

I assembled one of the fronts and the spring is literally wobbly between the base of the shock and the top hat strut mount, as if it was too short? At the base of the strut the spring only has tension at the very end point of the spring, not uniform like 3/4 of the bottom coil of the spring like it should be touching the base.

Is this normal?

I mean once the weight of the car pushes it down, it may appear normal, but Im just a bit uneasy about it slipping out going over bumps

Also, could anyone explain which way is the top and bottom orientation (both front and rear) for the Progress springs?

Does anyone have pictures of Progress Springs?

Video of the assembly

Last edited by maximatogo; 07-03-2013 at 09:38 AM.
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Old 06-26-2013, 12:20 PM
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Drop spings on stock height struts? If so, they will blow out.
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Old 06-26-2013, 12:28 PM
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When I put my progress springs on, I also had very little tension. I was able to install the springs and top cap by hand too. So yes, I'm sure its normal. Progress springs are one of the ones with the most drop. And by the way, I don't know what you had before, but compared to H&R's, progress springs feel really soft.
I wouldn't worry about the looseness of the spring, once you put the weight of the car on it, it'll be fine. Just make sure the spring is sitting correctly in the base and the top cap as you lower the car.
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Old 06-26-2013, 12:54 PM
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Are you sure the springs weren't cut shorter by the previous owner? What do the ends look like, bare metal would indicate they've been cut. I've never seen any sport spring that lose unless it was cut.
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Old 06-26-2013, 12:56 PM
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My Tokico springs that came with the Illuminas were also shorter than stock, by quite a bit. I could basically torque that middle strut nut without issue by hand.

50ft/LBS btw on that middle nut

As said before, make sure the spring is seated properly to the top and bottom of the strut.
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Old 06-26-2013, 02:37 PM
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Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
Are you sure the springs weren't cut shorter by the previous owner? What do the ends look like, bare metal would indicate they've been cut. I've never seen any sport spring that lose unless it was cut.
I thought about this too. There is bare metal on all spring ends except one(but its just about to flake off anyway)

I just dont understand why someone would bother buying lowering springs only to cut them some more when they could have done the same using the stock springs!
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Old 06-26-2013, 02:38 PM
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Could anyone explain which way is the top and bottom orientation (both front and rear) for the Progress springs?
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Old 06-26-2013, 03:18 PM
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iirc the side with the more tightly wound coils on it is the top.

My Illuminas:
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Old 06-27-2013, 11:35 AM
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top
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Old 06-28-2013, 04:01 PM
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Does anyone have pictures of Progress Springs?
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Old 06-28-2013, 04:26 PM
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Google search, i'm sure you'll find some
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Old 07-03-2013, 09:39 AM
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Video of the wobblyness
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Old 07-03-2013, 09:50 AM
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dude, your spring is unloaded right now...of course it's gonna be looser than a two dollar hooker on double stamp tuesday.

Is your middle strut nut torqued down properly?
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Old 07-05-2013, 03:03 PM
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I know its unloaded but if u seen the video the spring doesnt even sit right around the base of the shock
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Old 07-05-2013, 07:25 PM
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That spring looks like its been cut.
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Old 07-07-2013, 07:51 AM
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Originally Posted by asand1
That spring looks like its been cut.
Spring definitely doesn't it like that. It was cut.
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Old 07-07-2013, 10:31 AM
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Yea, that spring def looks cut. But there is still some tension on the spring, you will be fine. Got my max with cut springs and they just flop around when the car is up in the air. Came off the shock one time and one time only. After that, i had the lower part of the spring welded in place. Havn't had a problem since.
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