front springs

mike66 · Post by **mike66** » Sat Jul 05, 2003 4:25 pm

I hope this message can be of help for you (not to make the same mistake) and for me (maybe someone can help?). It all started yesterday night after I lowered my car from its jack-stands after 7 months of work on the ignition, suspension etc. I had a "specialist" made new front springs because the old ones were weak and bent. The new ones were supposed to be made to the specs (same length etc.) in the manual. They looked good and after many hours they were in the car. So far so good. Now that the car is back on earth again, the front just sagged and the new springs fully compressed.... Great! The 330 GT now looks like a wedge/dragster :-(. These springs are obviously way too weak to carry the weight. Now I have 2 problems: a) where can I get correct ones (any tips/ideas? and b) lots of work dissasembling the suspension etc. If you ever did that job, you know that this work is less desirable to do. So I will probably give the car to one of the local Ferrari specialist and have the job done. I'm sure they will be happy to charge me an essential amount for this work.
Anyway, does anybody have an idea who could supply a pair of springs in the USA or in Europe? Thanks for your replies.
Mike

fest · Post by **fest** » Sat Jul 05, 2003 10:06 pm

see previous thread 'Parts'
I would check w/ Ferrari UK (FUK) first

Michael Bayer · Post by **Michael Bayer** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 11:58 am

Caution that the cars seem to be tail high even with the proper springs, mine and Ned Lawler's are 14.5" from the center of the hubs to the top of the front wheel cut out and 16.5" on the rear and Ned's has brand new factory spec springs. Perhaps this was to accomodatethe weight of 4 pasta enriched bodies?

mike66 · Post by **mike66** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 1:55 pm

Thanks fest and Michael

I've checked with MC UK today, they probably get a few pairs in the next few weeks (in case anybody needs a pair too) and I've just checked the height that Michael supplied: the one in the front is less than 34cm on my car or about 13.4", so evem lower. Maybe I should convert my 330 to a low-rider and add some golden wire wheels? :-) I'll keep you informed about the progress (don't worry, with original stuff).

Thanks for your help again, Mike

Michael Bayer · Post by **Michael Bayer** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 7:38 am

I am going to try a 3/4" spacer under the spring base to see if that will stand my car a bit more level and not bottom it out, again caution that with factory spec front springs it may still be nose low, if you want it level you may need more

mike66 · Post by **mike66** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 7:58 am

Hi Michael

Did you see that there is a second groove in the spring base so you can chose the height? On my car (as probably with the most ones), the plate was/is at the lower groove. If you go for the upper groove, you get some more height.

Regards, Mike

Michael Bayer · Post by **Michael Bayer** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 9:33 am

Miike: I did not know there were two groves! Assembled, what I see under mine is what I have always assumed is the turned in lip of the spring case at he very bottom, then about 1/2" above that is where the retainer clip is set. Is that very bottom roll in the case the lowest setting? How far up from the botom are each of the spaces for the clip? Sorry to be so dense! Michael

mike66 · Post by **mike66** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 9:54 am

Hi Michael

I've had mine sand-blasted and that's why I got a good look at them when they were clean. There are definitely two grooves that one can use (my Ferrari mechanic mentioned that possibility too) but unfortunately I can't exactly remember how far apart they are. Could be that you only gain a quarter to half an inch if you use the upper one. But please check it, it's certainly worth a try.

C u, Mike

mike66 · Post by **mike66** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 7:48 am

Just got my car back from the Ferrari mechanic. He used my old coil springs, but "refreshed" them first: they use a wedge to lengthen the coils and the funny thing (which I didn't know) is that the spring gets harder during this process. He assured me that they do not collaps for 20 years now... I hope it's true :-) Anyway, the car looks great (perfect height) and rides very well. It's simple and efficient and quite simple to do.

Michael Bayer · Post by **Michael Bayer** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 8:49 am

Mike: I thought I had someone to stretch my springs but that fell through, who did the work for you? I wonder if I could ship mine to him and have them done? Key would be if he remembered what the end point was, how tall they were when he reinstalled them. Any further details would be most welcome, I am trying to avoid the repeat of your misfortune of having new ones made that won't work, Michael Bayer

mike66 · Post by **mike66** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 10:38 am

Hi Michael

Sorry for the late reply but I've been travelling for a few days (yes, in my 330 GT :D ).

I'm sorry but the Ferrari mechanic didn't want to tell me who exactly did the job. My guess is that he gave it to a shop that produces new springs. I called one possible shop and they told me that it's a standard procedure and can be easily done, so you should be able to find one in your area. (shipping two springs over her eto Switzerland would be very expensive). The springs are quite stiff now, but that's okay and the car looks good now.

Regards, Mike

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front springs

front springs

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