[opelbits]

I am in need of new rear springs. I was wondering if anyone knows if Kadett wagon springs will fit the GT? I've used Sportwagon springs in my old Manta and was pleased with the result. They were high mileage, but still slightly stiffer than the also high mileage stock Manta springs.

I'm not sure what I am going to look for, but I thought this was a question worth asking. I'd prefer not to spend a ton of money right now and I have doubts about the front, too, so if I bought some nice new springs, then I'd obviously feel compelled to buy a matching front spring........it never ends.

Any thoughts?

Any decent springs anyone wants to get rid of?

 

[kwilford]

I am pretty sure I have read that Kadett Wagon rear springs are a higher spring rate than the GT, but also taller. So they will work, but should be cut down a bit, unless you like the drag racer look.

I happen to have a set of each (based on what I read), so if I get a chance, I will measure them both. Checking spring rate is a bit more difficult, but maybe I can get my wife to stand on each type and I will measure the deflection

 

[opelbits]

That would be cool. I wasn't sure how much difference there is.

"Checking spring rate is a bit more difficult, but maybe I can get my wife to stand on each type and I will measure the deflection"

How many ways can THAT be taken wrong.....

 

[soybean (R.I.P.)]

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

 

[BQS4]

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

 

[opelenvy]

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]

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

 

[Sportwagon75]

B & A

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

 

[opeldean]

sportwagon is taller and stiffer

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

 

[kwilford]

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]

springs

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

 

[soybean (R.I.P.)]

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 (R.I.P.)]

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

 

[Slopel]

Cutting the rear springs

did a few searches, but did not find any solid info.

Cutting coils off the bottom of the spring, should I just start with 1/2 coil , or would I be safe cutting an entire coil off.

the car is being lowered ~2" up front with shackels, and new shocks are coming. I do not want a 'raked' look. I like when the rear is sitting flat with the front. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[nobody]

Ok I know it will be ill recieved but for a 2 inch drop is about 1 1/2 coils removed. Rear will be a bit soft unless you add a real stiff antisway bar and stiffer shocks. Look at your panhard rod too, it will be too short. A 2 inch drop crosses the fulcrum point unless you raise the body mount side for the panhard. Do a search for adjustable panhard and you will see a few things. Mine is lowered so I've been down that road.

 

[simplemind7]

actually i was thinking of doing the same thing, but i've heard alot of bad things about it, poor ride and what not. but without the money for the proper way to lower it, and an extra set of springs kicking around, seems like a possibility. i don't know if the experts will be speaking too highly of the idea, but at least its cost effective

 

[CDN OpelNut]

When I Installed my front sport spring from OGTS, it came with a note that indicated that only up to one coil can be cut off or the springs may jump out of the hats under hard cornering.

 

[RallyBob]

When I Installed my front sport spring from OGTS, it came with a note that indicated that only up to one coil can be cut off or the springs may jump out of the hats under hard cornering.

I don't see any real problem with cutting springs as long as all the side effects are taken care of.

1. One of them is the panhard bar length, as Nobody has stated.
2. Make sure the coils are cut from the bottom, not the top, so the spring sits correctly in the seats.
3. Check the bumpstop proximity to the axle. You may have to trim them to avoid early bottoming out.
4. Lastly, the spring rate will increase with the cutting of the coils, and the length of the coils will naturally be shorter, so they in fact may fall out of the seats if the car is jacked up or under hard cornering if you lift a tire. The rear shocks should be shorter than stock in order to prevent bottoming out the shock shaft, as well as limiting suspension droop and the potential for a spring falling out of it's place. It should also be stiffer to dampen the cut spring's higher spring rate (and therefore the spring frequency is higher).

Bob

 

[GT_Pheel]

I was told to use a set of wagon springs since they have a larger gauge wire coil. I have the set, but am on hold while moving everything to my new place with a two car garage....ie more project space. I have a large project ramping up over the next few months and will start posting more as things come together...2.4 L bottom end, 2.0 L head, dual side drafts, interior mods, and suspension mods will eat up a bit of my time. I would also like to see an educated comment as to where the spring should be cut and why... If the thin (flat/ground) part that locks into the rear end is cut, it seems that the spring would be able to move around too much if the suspension is unloaded. I am prepared to experiment a bit, but would rather make use of the knowledge base here. Thanks,

Philip

 

[nobody]

Not that my feet are entirely made of lead or anything. Just past 110 is where the springs start to compress, around 130 it starts to get light again. Even at 150 the nose with the 2 inch spring doesn't budge. From 120 on the lowered rear end was a handfull. It has a tendency to change on you at speed and I could feel it. Roll rates with a lengthened panhard are all backwards too. It wants to go the wrong way on you and makes it a bitch to control. I have cut springs and the adjustable panhard is ready to install.