Lose front strut springs advice

andythepandy · Dec 1st, 2015, 13:41

Volvo 240 GLE, 1987, Manual

Hello one and all I went and had the car MOTed last week and it failed on the springs not being correctly seated on the front when it was jacked up. I had cut them so I thought that I might as well replace them with some proper lowering springs. Also there is a clunk that has been coming from the front end whenever I go over potholes or a rough surface since I did them so I thought that they were also causing this problem too.

I got the new lowering springs today and fitted them to the front. I have tightened up as hard as it would go and seated the spring ends but the spring is still loose and I can move it with my hand whilst the car is jacked up. Why is it doing this?

I did replace the struts with KYG shocks when I cut the springs and I'm just wondering if there was a spacer or something that dropped out whilst I was changing them. Or if I was meant to take a spacer out. It just seems odd that the springs are so loose even when they are fully extended.

Any ideas??

classicswede · Dec 1st, 2015, 15:46

Most 40mm lowering springs are just long enough to be held by std dampers.

I asume you have KYB?

A common cause of knocking is just not tightening the damper fixing nut enough (the big one that holds into the strut case). The other common problem I see is GLT struts that have been fitted with non GLT dampers without adding the bottom washer. This should not be the issue with yours unless the struts had been changed to GLT ones at some point.

If your springs are loose then the best option is to fit shortened dampers. I do stock shorter dampers with adjustable damping

andythepandy · Dec 1st, 2015, 18:11

Yes sorry I mean KYB. I assume they haven't been changed but maybe I need those dampers which is a pain as I have spent quite a lot on the car recently but oh well. Do I just get the length according to how much the car has been lowered in the drop down menu?

classicswede · Dec 1st, 2015, 23:21

You need to select in the drop down meny how much shorter you want them. You should measure how much free play you have and go a few mm shorter so they are just slightly compressed but not much

andythepandy · Dec 2nd, 2015, 23:32

Ok cheers I'm not actually with the car ATM bit I would like to order some so when I get back they're waiting for me. I got 40mm lowering springs so what do you think would fit? 40mm? As you say a few mm shorter would 60 be be better? If I get the 60 at least I have the option to go lower if I want. If there too compressed what would be the adverse effects?

classicswede · Dec 3rd, 2015, 09:03

40mm shorter should be more than short enough. You will have to compress the springs a little with them

Dec 1st, 2015, 13:41	#1
andythepandy Member Last Online: Jan 18th, 2024 08:54 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: warwick	Lose front strut springs advice Volvo 240 GLE, 1987, Manual Hello one and all I went and had the car MOTed last week and it failed on the springs not being correctly seated on the front when it was jacked up. I had cut them so I thought that I might as well replace them with some proper lowering springs. Also there is a clunk that has been coming from the front end whenever I go over potholes or a rough surface since I did them so I thought that they were also causing this problem too. I got the new lowering springs today and fitted them to the front. I have tightened up as hard as it would go and seated the spring ends but the spring is still loose and I can move it with my hand whilst the car is jacked up. Why is it doing this? I did replace the struts with KYG shocks when I cut the springs and I'm just wondering if there was a spacer or something that dropped out whilst I was changing them. Or if I was meant to take a spacer out. It just seems odd that the springs are so loose even when they are fully extended. Any ideas??

Dec 1st, 2015, 15:46	#2
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Today 08:21 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	Most 40mm lowering springs are just long enough to be held by std dampers. I asume you have KYB? A common cause of knocking is just not tightening the damper fixing nut enough (the big one that holds into the strut case). The other common problem I see is GLT struts that have been fitted with non GLT dampers without adding the bottom washer. This should not be the issue with yours unless the struts had been changed to GLT ones at some point. If your springs are loose then the best option is to fit shortened dampers. I do stock shorter dampers with adjustable damping __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Dec 1st, 2015, 23:21	#4
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Today 08:21 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	You need to select in the drop down meny how much shorter you want them. You should measure how much free play you have and go a few mm shorter so they are just slightly compressed but not much __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Dec 3rd, 2015, 09:03	#6
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Today 08:21 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	40mm shorter should be more than short enough. You will have to compress the springs a little with them __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Dec 1st, 2015, 18:11	#3
andythepandy Member Last Online: Jan 18th, 2024 08:54 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: warwick	Yes sorry I mean KYB. I assume they haven't been changed but maybe I need those dampers which is a pain as I have spent quite a lot on the car recently but oh well. Do I just get the length according to how much the car has been lowered in the drop down menu?

Dec 2nd, 2015, 23:32	#5
andythepandy Member Last Online: Jan 18th, 2024 08:54 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: warwick	Ok cheers I'm not actually with the car ATM bit I would like to order some so when I get back they're waiting for me. I got 40mm lowering springs so what do you think would fit? 40mm? As you say a few mm shorter would 60 be be better? If I get the 60 at least I have the option to go lower if I want. If there too compressed what would be the adverse effects?

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