So, As I am about to undertake installing some new struts/shocks on my autocross/daily car, I wonder, For Stock class autocross, at what point, if ever, would you replace your springs? (for new stock springs)
I'm not looking to win it all, wrong car for that, but they are fairly cheap new, and the thought popped up...
I guess the real question here is at what point do the stock springs start to go off?
Springs don't wear out, normally. They may break.
Struts/shocks. yes. Plus all of the mounting bushings etc.
If you were trying to win a national championship and you had an unlimited budget you might want to order a few dozen springs, test the rate on all of them, and install the stiffest ones on your car, but outside of that I can't see why someone would replace a spring that isn't badly rusted or broken for stock class autox.
Volvo 1800 springs seem to wear out (sag) after awhile... 'awhile' being almost 40 years...
If you are referring to the Focus in your avatar... then your springs will be fine for a very long time - probably far longer than you'll own the car.
Bushings may need replacing depending on miles and age, but bear in mind - must be OEM replacements (no poly).
Ian F wrote: If you are referring to the Focus in your avatar... then your springs will be fine for a very long time - probably far longer than you'll own the car.
You would hope so, but my experience with Fords leads me to believe otherwise. Escort and Probe springs are prone to breaking due to corrosion. Maybe they got that quality issue sorted out with the Focus.
cghstang wrote: You would hope so, but my experience with Fords leads me to believe otherwise. Escort and Probe springs are prone to breaking due to corrosion. Maybe they got that quality issue sorted out with the Focus.
Lovely. Well, since his car is an SVT, one can hope they used higher quality springs...
The focus springs seem pretty high quality compaired to anything else ive used, no rust or anything.
Springs have to wear... The bachelors lean on my old MGB can attest to this. But i figured it needed a good amount of time, which my MG had.
I havent bought any, wasnt planning on it honestly, but was wondering... At $35 a pop for the SVT springs it piqued my interest.
BobOfTheFuture wrote: The focus springs seem pretty high quality compaired to anything else ive used, no rust or anything. Springs have to wear... The bachelors lean on my old MGB can attest to this. But i figured it needed a good amount of time, which my MG had. I havent bought any, wasnt planning on it honestly, but was wondering... At $35 a pop for the SVT springs it piqued my interest.
I wouldn't bother unless your current springs are showing signs of stress or corrosion.
The SVT suspension stuff in the catalog is mostly for us base Foci who want to upgrade to SVT specs. I was seriously considering doing this since the part pricing is very GRM friendly but ended up going straight to a Koni/custom setup. Of course, either way it would have knocked me out of H-stock.
There are lots of escorts /ZX2 , '98 and up with tons of miles with no spring problems. Source: team zx2
Okay, Sounds good. In other news, did the fronts w/ Konis today... took an hour to do the driver side, then 5-6 hrs, most of it behind a grinding wheel to do the passenger side. Bolt that holds the shock body into the knuckle was over tightened and bent. Came out a bit, then froze and instantly stripped bad. Argh....
Konis feel nice though!
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