While i was getting the exhaust done i had the change to take picture if an items that's been bugging me for a while. Quick back ground, This GS has been i the Family since day one. Not sure when it was installed but i'm sure it not factory as i don't see anything about it in my '71 Buick service manual. Even with that big of a spacer (1.5 to 2") she bottoms out on some good bumps. Measurement from the floor to the center wheel trim is 27" 255/60/15 coopers. I have new Coil spring for the front and rear which is the next project. Both are 1" lowering spring. The front is sitting 28" 235/60/15, so I have a reverse rack. Question is, If I remove that spacer and install the new coil will i sit even lower? Will bottom out even more? Thanks in advance.
That is definitely not factory as far as I know. Hard to say without knowing what spring is in there now how the new ones will work. Maybe they are stock and collapsed down. You'll never know until you try. Thankfully, that is not the worst thing on our cars to change.
My guess they put them retarded things in then heated the spring when they seen the ass end 4ft in the air.....new springs will get you back where you should be but yea those springs are garbage
Back in the day we didn't know any better.... sagging springs were fixed with spacers or air shocks, or we just wanted the ass end high in the sky for the 'look'. Put the new rear springs in without the spacers, it's an easy job. Replacing front springs is a much more involved job tho. Bottoming out is caused by springs that are too weak... which have a low spring rate. Lowering springs usually have a stiffer rate to compensate for the lower ride height (to avoid bottoming out). Your new springs likely have a thicker wire diameter, which directly affects the spring rate. My 66's are 26-27" to the wheelwell lip with that same tire size and stock spec springs. I'd guess your '71 will be lower than it is now with the new springs, but you won't know until you try, unless there's someone here that used those same springs. What springs did you buy?
I have the hotchkis sport spring 1901f for the front and BMR spo14R for the rear. Both bought from fellow members here.
Thanks guys for all your input. I'll see if i can tackle the rear this weekend. Need to get the coil spring insulator. Is the Moog K6203-2 the correct replacement? My local Napa has a few in stock.
I have a set up like that in my GS from the time I owned it. I need that height to prevent my 275/60 tire (driver's side) from rubbing on bumps. I don't think it is too high.
Thanks Larry. I knew i'd seen that pic somewhere on this board before. I've look all over before posting. Your are not a long as the one i have though.
I have never seen one below the spring. I have a billet spacer above my rear springs to gain a little height.
Spring in spacer out. Rear is at 25" from the floor. So 2" drop. I'll see how it drive the next time we go for a long drive. Around corner felt good. Old next to new. Spacer was 2.5" long.
