Hotchkis Coil Spring Installation

[dhardison]

This past weekend I installed the passenger side Hotchkis 2" drop front coil spring. After getting everything back together, that side now actually sits 2.5"-3" HIGHER than my old stock springs. So today called Hotchkis and told them my dilemma, he said that the coil has to be installed correctly (top up, bottom down). According to Hotchkis, in order for the spring to be installed correctly the stamping of the word HOTCHKIS must be right-side up and readable (i.e. not upside down).



He said that by having the coil in the upside down the car will actually sit higher than stock. I just can't see how that can be since the coil looks symmetrical to me, but hopefully I have it installed incorrectly. Sure would've been nice to have some instructions stating in which direction they should be installed..............

Anyone ever heard of a coil spring having to be installed one way vs. the other??

http://www.danhardison.com/hotchkis/DSC00512.JPG

Thanks,
Dan

[TPI Monte SS]

Probably because it's a progressive rate spring, but I couldn't really explain why. Maybe because the stiffer side is against the lower A-arm, it's actually pushing the body up?

[MrQuick]

Yeah I've read of this but there are several explanations...
one is the natrual force applyed to the spring wants to push it down, thus having the spring inverted actualy pushes the car up.
two is the windings in the coil is in a clockwise rotation thus when weight is applied it has less resistance. If this same spring was installed upside down it would be more resistant the downward pressure.
try to do a Google search under "Vince is offen full of S*@t" , sorry Dan, but its true?

[68Formula]

If you look up in the top pocket of the frame where the top of the coil sits, there is a groove that starts shallow and gradually deepens.

On the lower control arm where the bottom of the coil sit, there is an even deeper groove (at least on my Speed-Tech ones).

I believe the spring should be installed such that the up side is the flatter part of the coils.

You want to make sure you orient the spring to fit the grooves as best as possible. This will help the ride height be even as well as making the car sit as flat as possible.

[Fuelie Fan]

It'd have to be something about how it's fitting in the pockets.

The spring doesn't look progressive, just looks like a typical closed end spring. And even if it was, a given load would still produce a given deflection. Draw the FBD and prove it to yourself.

I'm really not sure what Mr. Quick is saying with the natural force thing. The springs are ALWAYS holding the car up.

[dhardison]

Sorry for my ignorance, but what does "Draw the FBD" mean?

Dan

[79T/Aman]

sorry mrquick but you can flip that spring till the end of time if it's wound clockwise it will always be wound clockwise and the spring does not know wish way is up it pushes against gravity

[zbugger]

...try to do a Google search under "Vince is offen full of S*@t"...

I think his last sentence says it all.

Dan, what mods have you made to the car? Fiberglass hood? Aluminum on the engine? Those changes will make a difference when you install those springs. Hotchkis even cut the coils on their F71 Camaro to get it to sit the way it did. The LS1 was lighter than a standard small block. Also, check and make sure that the springs are seated correctly in the pocket in the lower control arm. If it's not set correctly, it will mess with the ride height. And make sure you check final ride height with all four wheels on the ground and the new springs in on both sides. That's the only way you can confirm the ride height.

[79T/Aman]

ok I get it those were statements from Dan not Mrquick sorry about my last reply

[dhardison]

Allen, The car is all steel as is the 454. The only aluminum items are the radiator and dual quad intake. At this point I'm going to verify that the spring is in the upper/lower pockets properly, then get the other side done and get it on the ground. We'll see how it sits at that point.

I REALLY appreciate all the great info/replies from everyone.

Thanks again,
Dan

[MrQuick]

alright alright I'll try to be alittle more serious here...yes I was joking.
Dan, I believe your trying to compare the height of your (im assuming now) old, saggy, stock, possibly small block springs to the new springs. Try not to do that.
Plus if I read right, ther car is not on the ground and hasn't been josseled yet. " Hey I got new spings and its higher ". I've heard that complaint so many times I could puke. get full weight on it,drive it, tighten the bushing bolts with the full weight on the car...you did that right? Then cut the coils to adjust to your liking. I'd drive it a week or so. Its time consuming, I know but if you want it to look right your going to have to take the time. On a stock replacement spring the flat side is up, the lower control arm is stepped, this does not apply to Dans problem.

[makoshark]

I don`t remember what side of the subframe it`s on, but the thicker Hotchkis springs interfere with the frame even if it`s seated properly in the pocket. I had to do this to my frame. I had to grind a small section off of the frame because it extended into the spring pocket. The frame is actually 2 C channels joined together and for some reason on one side that over lapped section extends into the spring pocket. Just grind that small section away and your problem will probably be solved