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        General >> Problems >> Spring Compatability - another question
        
(Message started by: Mike_Floutier on Jan 26^th, 2007, 9:54am)

Title: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by Mike_Floutier on Jan 26^th, 2007, 9:54am

Hi,

I'm trying to get hold of new rear road springs for my Scorp, which is a saloon, but the only two suppliers who have them say that they only have "self leveling suspension" types listed.

My understanding was that only the estates had self-leveling although it could have been a special option on the saloons.

What I really need to know is whether there is any difference in the springs. If either one will FIT and it's just a matter of strength then I'd be happy with a stronger one as I often have 5 men in the car with loads of luggage.

Any thoughts welcomed!!

Thanks

Mike

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by Scorpius on Jan 27^th, 2007, 4:18pm

To the best off my knowledge, just look at your lights control knob. If it has a beam height adjuster knob next to it, them it doesn't have Self Levelling suspension.
If it doesn't have a beam height adjuster, then it does have self levelling suspension.

Maybe someone with more knowledge will conradict me, but i thought that this was the rule of thumb on this issue.

Ian

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by scorpio_man on Jan 27^th, 2007, 4:45pm

hi there

no, the light leveling switch is just an extra, so to speak. i've got one on my estate.

only the estates came with sls as standard, on the saloons it was an option. we've yet to find one with it.

i don't think there would be any difference of the rear springs as it's the shocker that raises the car.

hth

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by Scorpius on Jan 27^th, 2007, 4:59pm

I stand corrected.

Thanks

Ian

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by scorpio_man on Jan 27^th, 2007, 5:01pm

hi there

i'd quite like to find a saloon with the sls fitted. on the estate, the rear wishbone is different (or where the shocker goes is). wonder if the saloon (with sls) is the same?

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by Mike_Floutier on Jan 27^th, 2007, 6:17pm

Interesting, I got back to my supplier who was quoting £50+ for each sls rear road spring and told him that I DIDN'T have sls.

He's sending me non-sls springs for £41 each. I'm still none the wiser; maybe the sls springs are heavy duty or something.

Mike

Ps I'm just hoping they'll fit ok - lol

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by bertie on Jan 27^th, 2007, 6:43pm

try this site

http://www.modifydirect.co.uk/modifydirectloweringsprings.htm

for that lowered look

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by Mike_Floutier on Jan 28^th, 2007, 5:11pm

One last question about these springs (well at least until I start fitting them!):

Where abouts should I jack up the car. I usually put it under the arm or the cross-member but since I'm going to be lowering these I guess I need to put it somewhere else. Presumably it has to be somewhere on the body but I'm petrified of it just going through.

Guess I should use a wood block to spread the load BUT where abouts should it go?

Thanks

Mike

Ps Thanks for the link Bertie but I need to raise it not lower it - lol. If I lowered it any more the wheels would be in the boot!

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by Highlander on Jan 28^th, 2007, 5:59pm

I jack them up where the front of the subframe is bolted to the body, just in front of the rear wheel, there are two small bolts and one big one, i stick the trolley jack under the big bolt (bolt 16 bottom left of the diagram)

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/images/rearsuspension96on.gif

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by Mike_Floutier on Jan 28^th, 2007, 6:07pm

Thanks Highlander,

But that's one of the areas I can't touch because it's got to be unbolted and lowered to get the spring out.

Mike

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by Highlander on Jan 28^th, 2007, 6:23pm

You can unbolt the arms one at a time and get them out, are you dropping the whole subframe?

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by Mike_Floutier on Jan 28^th, 2007, 7:59pm

I'm just planning to do them one at a time.

The instructions call for unbolting and lowering one side of the cross-member by undoing the relevant guide plate (including bolt 16 amongst others).

So basically that's why I need to know how to support the back.

Mike

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by Scorpius on Jan 28^th, 2007, 8:26pm

I did this job on my old Granada, which was basically the same. Even after dropping the sub frame, you will still have fun getting the spring out and new one in. Hope you have a growbar or spring conpressors handy.

As far as jacking is concerned, just look at the area that the ford cack fits on. This area has to be strong enough to take a trolley jack with a wooden block to spread the weight. DONT FORGET to use axel stands too.

Ian

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by Mike_Floutier on Jan 28^th, 2007, 9:49pm

Hi Ian,

Thanks for the jacking advice, I guess I'll put an axle stand plus wood block under each sill near the car-jacking point and then my trolley jack under the diff. for extra protection.

Thanks also for mentioning the spring compressors. I must say that looking at the situation, I did wonder how easily they'd come out. I guess I'll need a fairly compact pair of compressors for the confined space.

Do you use spring compressors and if so what make?

Thanks again

Mike

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by Highlander on Jan 28^th, 2007, 10:07pm

Mike, the diff is bolted to the subframe so you'll be pushing it back up.

I've taken a lot of springs and shocks off of Scorpios, never had to use spring compressors.
If you disconnect the trailing arm bushes and the link rod on the anti roll bar they will come out no problem but watch for the brake pipes/hoses.

Or drop the whole subframe with the diff attached which is probably the easiest depending on the rusty bolts :)

three bolts either side (16 and 17x2) and the subframe to body bolt above the diff (23)

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by Mike_Floutier on Jan 29^th, 2007, 10:17am

Thanks Highlander,

There seem to be so many ways of doing it, a bit bewildering for an amateur like me.

The Ford manual on the site says that by undoing the cross-member guide plate and lower shock mounting you can get the spring out. However, as you intimate, that doesn't make sense due to the cross-member being fixed vertically by the diff. mounting bolt 23.

I've already ordered the spring compressors now so I think I'll experiment; starting with the easiest option.

Will let you know how I get on.

Thanks again

Mike

Ps How long is bolt 23. I'm just asking as I was thinking about the effect of loosening it without removing it entirely.

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by Highlander on Jan 29^th, 2007, 11:06am

its about 5" from memory, so you'll have a few inches to play with ;D

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by martin_rowe on Jan 29^th, 2007, 12:50pm

you wont get spring compressors in, you dont need them, jack up vehicle, place on axle stands under sills(use blocks of wood for protection, remove rear wheels, then using trolly jack under swing arm, take weight to allow shocker btm bolt to come out, release anti roll bar link, remove brake pipe from hose & hose from arm, undoo both support plate bolts & big centre mtg bolt from outer s/frame (by sill). do this both sides, you can then press the swing arm down far enough to get spring out, you will have to pull off the bulmp stop & bring it out with the spring. whole job less than 1 hour.

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by Mike_Floutier on Jan 29^th, 2007, 3:33pm

Thanks Martin,

I'll give it a go. Do you think it's worth loosening the diff. mounting bolt or should I not bother?

Mike

Title: Re: Spring Compatability - another question
Post by martin_rowe on Jan 29^th, 2007, 4:52pm

I've never bothered.