Finally got the front suspension back up where it is supposed to be. After previously installing new coil spring pads and gaining a half inch I was still 1-3/8" down from the spec ride height.

I assumed that after 15 years and 176k miles the front coils were tired and sagging. Setting them side by side with a new one on the bench tells the story (pic #1).

Ride height is on spec at 15-3/4" wheel center to fender arch (pic #2). The car sets more level now (pic #3 vs. pic #4).

Now with good spring pads and new coils up front the difference in ride and feel is significant; firm but not jarring and no more squishy feeling and more stable. Still have a bit of pull to the right but that may be due to the tire wear at this point.

Mike

 

Glad you have it sorted Mike ,
I'd like to lower my car slightly , I've seen a set of springs that lower the car by 15mm , that's what I'd like but I'm worried that my existing springs will have sagged over the 132000 miles it's covered and the new springs won't make any difference , however , my car appears to have spot on the correct ride height when I measured it ,

Nik

 

DID you do this yourself? How hard was it to do? How much do the springs cost?

 

It's no more than if you were changing shocks since the front springs are mounted on the shock before you take it to the car. You need a spring compressor or take it to someone who knows how. Compressing springs to a few thousand pounds of force can be dicey if it gets away from you.

Got the springs from Nalley Jag before they were sold. With the discount we got from them both springs were about $250 shipped. They come in matched pairs and are specific to model and VIN number.

Nik, if your ride height is per the spec I'm guessing you don't have sagging springs like I did. I'm happy now that my tires don't rub the fender liners when I hit a dip in the road.

 

New bump stops cures that, you did install new stops right?

 

But, but, but, you lost some of your California rake!

 

Lucky for him he is in Oregon.

 

Nope. Having good springs cured it and it handles WAY better now. I've tested it over dips that seemed like they would bend my wheels and no rubbing. I remember the worn out looking bumpers when I put new shocks in. They didn't help much with the old springs. Figured I'd get around to new ones at some point if I ever notice it rub again.