Spacers for front springs Giulia/Giulietta spider

[gowanusvin]

Guys:
Long and complicated story, but despite new heavy duty springs and konis, my driver's side suspension, sits lower than passenger side (perhaps some long ago damage to rails) It didn't happen on my watch and I've owned the car since 1981.

I want to purchase some spacers (varying thickness) that I can put in the spring seats to level the suspension.

Also, with the left front down, the right rear is elevated. (Make sense?)
Any help appreciated. Spacers or theories.

Vince Coppola

[alfazagato]

There are aluminium spacers on top of the springs which tend to stick in the recesses of the upper mount...have you checked that they are the same sizes?

[gowanusvin]

Stuart:
Thanks for the advice. I'll do it soonest. I'm assuming this means pulling the spring for inspection.

[divotandtralee]

If you suspect a frame rail bent, I would have to assume it to be VERY BENT, like over an inch to be that visible. You might measure from the top of the rail to a point on the top spring perch on both sides of the car if you want to compare the two sides.

I'm going to venture out on a limb. Each Giulietta model had a spec for free length and compressed springs. They were identified with colored paint dabs on the coils. This supplier was only held to a spec range for both measurements and they were checked in Portello by QC before installation as it would have been impractical to swap them out during production. This is where the spacers come in. If there wasn't a match, they would shim the spring with expensive alloy spacers but not more than an inch for sure. Also I believe they gave a stiffer bias to the drivers side since this is a sure place for at least 150 pounds of squish and cars look funny running down the road with some lard arse (like mine) making it heal over.

It's simply a stab in the dark but if I was building a car to make look right with and without a load I would have considered this and I think they did.

That doesn't solve your problem but the vendor of the new springs should be able to help you. PS ALL MY comments are theoretical not gospel. Rick

[gowanusvin]

Thanks for weighing in (no pun intended).

I dont think its a bent rail...as you know everyone has an opinion and it becomes more definitive the less they know about the car. This came from one mechanic a few steps out from under the shade tree.

I've been in and out up and down on this spider for 27 years... Never saw an indication it had been hit.

On spacer, I think an inch would pretty much even things out. Where do you get a spacer? Or failing that, do you know the spring diameter?

[divotandtralee]

The coil is about 1/2" and the spring about 4 3/8". you might want to talk to a machine shop or hot rod shop that chops and channels cars. They can give you some pointers. They might have a press to measure deflection and load.

[jburning17]

It doesn't look like anyone has directly answered your question yet.

AlfaStop sells the aluminum spacers in a bunch of different thicknesses, including very thick ones.

I installed the Centerline performance springs in my spider, but thought the ride was too low for the quality of streets that I drive on. So, I made shims out of aluminum plate and screwed them to the original spacers. Works good so far.

Jon

[gowanusvin]

Thanks Jon. Performatek has some interesting adustable spacers, a threaded cylinder within the spacer that you can use to raise or lower the height. I've also got Centerline performance springs and I have the same low-rider issue. How thick were the shims you made?

[alfabits]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jburning17 It doesn't look like anyone has directly answered your question yet. AlfaStop sells the aluminum spacers in a bunch of different thicknesses, including very thick ones. I installed the Centerline performance springs in my spider, but thought the ride was too low for the quality of streets that I drive on. So, I made shims out of aluminum plate and screwed them to the original spacers. Works good so far. Jon

[jburning17]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gowanusvin Thanks Jon. Performatek has some interesting adustable spacers, a threaded cylinder within the spacer that you can use to raise or lower the height. I've also got Centerline performance springs and I have the same low-rider issue. How thick were the shims you made?

[jmn]

When restoring one of my Veloces, I also bought some centerline springs, but ended up tossing them for some from Rugh. I think the ride height is about perfect for real world driving.
If someone wants some new Centerline springs, I'll sell them for half of current retail.

[jburning17]

Here are the spacers that I made for the rear. As you can see, 3/4" is really 2x3/8".

[101/105guy]

Here's my '64 @ stock height and 165-15 tires. Thought about lower springs, but didn't want the "too low" look.
One other method used by the factory to level out the front was to shim the spring pan away from the lower arm on one side.
Randy

[alphil]

jon,Any thoughts on screwing or welding two or three stock spacers together to adjust height?

[jburning17]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphil jon,Any thoughts on screwing or welding two or three stock spacers together to adjust height?