Different Stuff

[mountainkowboy]

The stuff on the right is off the convertible, and on the left the sedan. The sedan spring is 15" tall and the convertible is 17". I think the sedan spring has been cut and pieces left out from what I can tell. Am I on the right track?

Trying to get all the right stuff together for the re-assemble.

[Dale M.]

Spring on left certainly does not have the same "finished look" as spring on right.... Dont think there would be any reason for two different spring lengths...

Did you examine end real close, it may have "broken" or maybe PO trued to "lower" it by cutting spring........

Dale

[ProctorSilex]

I have no experience working on the SB, but I was thinking the same thing as Dale.
Check out this diagram. I do not know whether there is a difference in parts among SB years or the convertible versus the hard top, but I do know that you cannot trust the PO or even a good mechanic to put things back together properly. When my trusted local shop replaced my Miata's radiator, they screwed up putting the front bumper back on. They adjusted the poor fit by stacking washers with a bolt. In reassembling the same car recently, I have extra bits and missing bits. It hurt, but I even substituted some of the extra bits for the missing bits. Think of all the mixed up POs and mechanics a forty year old car could have gone through!
So, yes, I think you are on the right track.

[Jadewombat]

Yep, Firestone worked on my friend's Ghia once. Took one (not both) of the rocker shims off for God's knows what reason and replaced the shim with a hardware store washer.

The spring on the left to me looks like it was cut. I've only seen springs that have the full circle around the top to seat into the top mount.

[Marc]

Spring on left has definitely been cut (by a little more than 2 turns). Besides the obvious reduction in ride height, this has also stiffened its rate by ~25%


http://www.planetspring.com/pages/compr ... ompression

[mountainkowboy]

Thanks...that what I thought. The parts are in and I'm getting ready to start the front end rebuild. The drag link front the sedan is good and just needs new boots, I have the brass bushing from Topline for the idler (will be doing that today). Between the tie rods I have a good set of tie rod ends and the control arms are installed with Topline camber-plus bushings, might get it all done today, depends on the "honey-do" list.