TR6 69 TR6 suspension spring choice?

[ichthos]

Since it looks like my rear springs are shot, I figured I might as well replace all four springs at the same time. I noticed that TRF has a choice of stock,high performance, and competition springs (which lower the car 1"). I also noticed that Moss mentions that it has a special factory design aluminum packing piece for "excess wheel camber spring settlement." I will be installing Michelin Symmetry 205/70R/15's shortly. I am not going to be racing my car, but I do like to drive my car hard through the backroads. What would be my best choice and why? Is the aluminum packing piece from Moss needed, or will the spring kits from TRF handle this ? What special tools do I need to do this? Any input would greatly be appreciated.

Kevin

 

[DougF]

TRF also carries the aluminum spacers. Their "competition" spring set is the Goodparts kit. They are very firm in the front (if you put all your weight on a fender, they travel about 1/2 inch. The rears are much softer.
I have these on my car and like them very much. I don't run with the spacers, so ground clearance can be an issue.
These may alter your camber without the spacers. To correct, you can purchase the adjustable mounting brackets from Goodparts or TRF, or rework the stock brackets.

The upgraded springs are firmer than stock. Should you go this route, purchase the shorter cut ones. There are some on the market that raise the ride height. I had these on my old car, and with 205-60/15 tires, it looked like a 4 x 4.
I know people who put the upgraded springs in the rear and kept the fronts stock and like the combination very much.

Tools? Floor jack, jack stands, and a couple of wrenches. Put the car in the air on stands. Support the trailing arm with the floor jack and disconnect the connecting link. Slowly lower the jack until the spring tension is relieved.

 

[Tinster]

Kevin -

See if this rear suspension photo/text
tutorial on a 1969 TR6 will open for you.
It gives good detail on "How To" replace
the rear coil springs.


https://www.scribd.com/doc/92509/TrailingArmBushingsFinal

best wishes,

tinster

 

[ichthos]

Thanks for the input. I am downloading the PDF file as I am writing this (my internet is running slow tonight.) Almost everything I do on this car is a "first" for me. I have never replaced springs before. I am starting to feel overwhelmed with things to do on this car right now. This is a daily driver for me, and I can't afford to have it down for long. Would it be sound to just replace the rear springs with stock springs and rubber spring packings for now? It already leans one half inch on the right rear more than the left, so I don't want to mess with spacers.

 

[Tinster]

Kevin,

I also installed 205/70R/15's on my car.
My car also leaned to the left side.

I installed TRF standard coil springs on
all four wheels and I am happy with them.
My car no longer leans.

tinster

 

[ichthos]

My internet seems to be working better this morning. I am finally able to download the article you sent me - thank you Tinster. So, do you think it is ok to just replace the rear springs for now since that is the only place I have the inside tire wear?

 

[Crisis]

I just finished re-installing my old stock springs. I had tried the shorter/stiffer springs from one of the popular suppliers on my 73 TR6 that supposedly lowered the ride height by 1". Well it actually turned out to be over 3"! I hit everything unless the road was table-top flat. Don't know yet if I've done any permanent damage.
Very happy and relieved to have my old springs back on. How is it that springs that are only 2" shorter (than stock) when uncompressed, can make the car 3" lower when installed?
Another thing; stiffening the rear springs made my car jumpy at the back. Pushing down on the rear bumper would produce 4 bounces. Now that the stocks are back, pushing down on the rear bumper will produce only 1-2 bounces. Driving with the improved springs made the car "bouncy". My point is I probably needed stiffer dampers to control the stiffer springs. It really is "suspension tuning" isn't it? One change will produce several others that must be taken into consideration.
Don't want to "diss" the supplier. Service was excellent, it just wasn't for me, and is my opinion and observation only. BTW, I have 205/65/15's on my car. With the uprated springs the tire was only 1/2" away from the outer lip of the highest part of the fender opening (tire rubbed at almost any imperfection in the road).

 

[AltaKnight]

Due to excessive camber, I replaced my rear springs (stayed with the old front ones) with the TRF "stock" rear spring (and rubber seats) which fixed the camber perfectly. This fixed the issue of scraping the undercarriage but increased the ride height about 1.5" and the gap between fender and my 185/60R/15 tires. So then I put Dunlop Signature 205/70R/15's on and it looks good, see below.

BTW, changing the rear springs is easy, see Tinsters thesis, you should change the rear bushings while in there if you haven't already done so.