Station Wagon Springs

soybean · 06-30-2004

I have a set of Station wagon springs that I was going to put in this weekend. I have a set of thick bottom rubbers(?) as compared to the thinner set that comes standard on the GT.The question is, would you run these in conjuction with the springs, or use the original type? Also in reading Buckys posts, I noticed he cut off 2 turns off his springs. Is this necessary? I never did cut the set I put on my Manta. Thanks, Jarrell

BQS4 · 07-01-2004

Jarrell;
I just used the ones on the GT (rubber pads), as for cutting the springs, put them in uncut first and then set the car back down and step back and get a good look at it first. If it's not to your liking then cut. I did what you're about to do, but, I didn't cut my springs.
Gene

soybean · 07-01-2004

Thanks, Gene. I'll try it. Slowly working my way forward.After this it's front suspension. Jarrell

ravn99 · 07-01-2004

Just if someone reading has never cut springs.......never use a cutting torch,It kills the temper of the metal,,, use a sawsall or the old way-hacksaw- Just a word from one who made the mistake...

greensmurf20 · 07-01-2004

another alternative to cutting springs is to do as ravn warned about. heat put the spring int he car and heat it to weaken it. we did this in my 51 packard i used to have. we put a 327 in it witha 350TH trans, and the front suspension was still topped out until we heated the springs.

opelenvy · 07-01-2004

I used a cut off wheel on my Dremel. I think it took two wheels per spring, but it worked great. Nice clean controlled cut. Then I just painted the new end.

opeldean · 07-01-2004

after taking out 2 full turns of the sportwagon springs(360 degrees X two)
car still sits a little higher in the back in..approx 1/2 inch

go to a bench grinder and flatten the top of the spring as recommened by old hippie in a prior post..to prevent rocking of spring in bucket

not a good idea to drive the gt with a jacked up back..may change geometry
of torque tube,etc..bad for bearings or bushings?

wagon springs are firmer w/o harshness..I like them

Sportwagon75 · 07-01-2004

Does anyone have before and after photos of their shortened wagon springs??

opeldean · 07-01-2004

even when cut..a shorter sportwagon spring hold s the rear end up more than
a taller uncut gt spring

kwilford · 07-01-2004

Originally Posted by soybean

I have a set of Station wagon springs that I was going to put in this weekend.

Are these the Kadett wagon springs, or the 1900 (Ascona SportWagon) springs? I had read a while ago that the Kadett wagon springs were the "spring of choice", so I salvaged a set from donor at the Pick Your Part a while back. Would SportWagon springs fit? Bucky, what were your springs from?

BQS4 · 07-01-2004

Keith;
I sold him the springs, and they're from an Ascona Sportwagon.

soybean · 07-02-2004

Originally Posted by bucky

not a good idea to drive the gt with a jacked up back..may change geometry of torque tube,etc..bad for bearings or bushings?

I noticed while installing the rear end today, I had to jack up the front of the torque tube to be able to get the two bolts that support it, in. I also didn't flatten out the top of the springs. I just read that post tonight.

I might pull them back off. I haven't taken it off the stands yet to see if there is a height difference. I hope to put it on the pavement tomorrow. I'll find out then. But I got new bushings, shocks, brake cylinders, turned drums and shoes put on.

I don't know what type of Station Wagon these came off of, they had been stored for the last 20 years. Jarrell

soybean · 07-03-2004

I put a tire and rim on the rear to check it out. I appears that I am going to have to cut the springs. I did not take it off the stands to let it set on the ground yet. I'm going to wait until I rebuild the front suspension, put it on and then see how she looks. That too, is easier said than done having spent the better part of the afternoon taking the spare apart. Bucky, what size tires and rims do you have on yours? Are they 13" or 15"? Thanks, Jarrell

06-30-2004	#1 (permalink)
soybean Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Reidsville N.C. Posts: 2,160	Unanswered: Station Wagon Springs I have a set of Station wagon springs that I was going to put in this weekend. I have a set of thick bottom rubbers(?) as compared to the thinner set that comes standard on the GT.The question is, would you run these in conjuction with the springs, or use the original type? Also in reading Buckys posts, I noticed he cut off 2 turns off his springs. Is this necessary? I never did cut the set I put on my Manta. Thanks, Jarrell

07-01-2004	#2 (permalink)
BQS4 Southern Red Neck Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Snellville, GA Posts: 6,027 Real Name: Gene Provided Answers: 12	springs Jarrell; I just used the ones on the GT (rubber pads), as for cutting the springs, put them in uncut first and then set the car back down and step back and get a good look at it first. If it's not to your liking then cut. I did what you're about to do, but, I didn't cut my springs. Gene __________________ "Yes, I do have a rifle rack in my Sportwagon"

07-01-2004	#4 (permalink)
ravn99 Riding Low Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: St.Louis area Posts: 76	sping cut Just if someone reading has never cut springs.......never use a cutting torch,It kills the temper of the metal,,, use a sawsall or the old way-hacksaw- Just a word from one who made the mistake... __________________ "WHAT YEAR IS THAT 280Z?" "Is it an old prototype corvette?" "O.K. what the h*ll is it?" "You want to sell it?"

07-01-2004	#5 (permalink)
greensmurf20 OPEL-LESS!!! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gobles michigan 49055 Posts: 2,112	another alternative to cutting springs is to do as ravn warned about. heat put the spring int he car and heat it to weaken it. we did this in my 51 packard i used to have. we put a 327 in it witha 350TH trans, and the front suspension was still topped out until we heated the springs. __________________ previousely owned 8 GTs and 1 manta. currently own 92 25th anniversary Z28. Ttop, 350, T56 swap, many upgrades, basically a complete restore. 67 chevy sportvan deluxe....next in line.

07-01-2004	#6 (permalink)
opelenvy Driver Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cedar Park, TX ('Burb of Austin) Posts: 1,179 Real Name: George	I used a cut off wheel on my Dremel. I think it took two wheels per spring, but it worked great. Nice clean controlled cut. Then I just painted the new end. __________________ Born to Drive 73 GT Sport suspension, lowered 2", polyurethane bushings, Koni Reds, adjustable pan hard rod, 205-60/13 Falcons on 13x6 aluminum rims, Ported intake, custom cold air intake, sprint exhaust manifold, 2" free flow exhaust, 4-core radiator, Getrag 5-speed, Momo steering wheel, Saks heavy duty clutch, Euro style driving lights, tinted windows, seats from Acura Integra, 3 point retractable seat belts from a '75 Manta, flush mount aircraft style gas cap

07-01-2004	#3 (permalink)
soybean Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Reidsville N.C. Posts: 2,160	Thanks, Gene. I'll try it. Slowly working my way forward.After this it's front suspension. Jarrell

07-01-2004	#7 (permalink)
opeldean 1000 Post Club Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Overland Park KS Posts: 1,999 Provided Answers: 1	flatten top after taking out 2 full turns of the sportwagon springs(360 degrees X two) car still sits a little higher in the back in..approx 1/2 inch go to a bench grinder and flatten the top of the spring as recommened by old hippie in a prior post..to prevent rocking of spring in bucket not a good idea to drive the gt with a jacked up back..may change geometry of torque tube,etc..bad for bearings or bushings? wagon springs are firmer w/o harshness..I like them __________________ Thank you members of opelgt.com for helping me on a 5 year reconstruction of the most beautiful car in the world Celeste: 1917,cc ,getrag resealed, 2liter Intake valves,ported,ISKY cam on solids,Opel forged rods,9.52 compression,total seal gapless,oil dam,RB gasket mod., DCOE side drafts,sprint,2in straight exhaust,pertronix,OMNI paint,SACHS clutch,OGTS & Kadette sway bars,Manta finned pan,3 V clock,Ball joints and Poly all... SAA-WEET!

07-01-2004	#8 (permalink)
Sportwagon75 Opel Addict Since 73 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 423	B & A Does anyone have before and after photos of their shortened wagon springs?? __________________ Scott D.

07-01-2004	#11 (permalink)
BQS4 Southern Red Neck Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Snellville, GA Posts: 6,027 Real Name: Gene Provided Answers: 12	springs Keith; I sold him the springs, and they're from an Ascona Sportwagon. __________________ "Yes, I do have a rifle rack in my Sportwagon"

07-03-2004	#13 (permalink)
soybean Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Reidsville N.C. Posts: 2,160	Update on Station Wagon springs I put a tire and rim on the rear to check it out. I appears that I am going to have to cut the springs. I did not take it off the stands to let it set on the ground yet. I'm going to wait until I rebuild the front suspension, put it on and then see how she looks. That too, is easier said than done having spent the better part of the afternoon taking the spare apart. Bucky, what size tires and rims do you have on yours? Are they 13" or 15"? Thanks, Jarrell

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