[Davo1954]

I need some help/advice please.
I've searched a bit, but so far nothing about this specific 'problem'. Just about every other angle about springs but.....
77 Spider, replacing front springs with lower and fatter IAP springs. Old spring ID is approx 4 inches. The IAP red springs, shorter and thicker, are closer to 3.75 inch ID. They do not sit in the 'groove' of the metal liner that sits on top of the rubber spacers. Compressing them into the suspension is not going to 'force' a fit, nor do I want to force... Does one remove or cut into the lip of the metal inner edge to make a fit or ?
I think the car heard me gloating about how easy the springs came out THIS time and very little rust anywhere.... No more gloating...
thanks for any input as per usual. Always great advice and different views to help understand.
Davo..

 

[Andrew]

Something seems quite wrong. I bought springs from Dave Rugh for my GTV and they were a perfect fit in terms of wire size and coil diameter. My experience with IAP is they're not always quite as on top of it as they should be. Maybe a simple error in what part they shipped?
Andrew

 

[Lokki]

My recently acquired IAP's fit exactly. Something is wrong. Fiat Spider springs perhaps?

 

[Davo1954]

thanks Andrew...I feel the same, a bit frustrated that something as simple as this sorta stops me in my tracks..
I did more digging on BB search last night... found a few things that help without a definitive answer, then called IAP (duh) this morning and talked with their tech guy.
Short answer from them is... "that's normal'... the spring will expand out to the 4inch ID once you get it tucked into the car and it settles in". Thats a serious stretch for a fat thick new spring, but... we'll see.
The answers/discussions on here ranged a bit, but there are others like me with the same problem. My other two GTV's springs.. I can't remember this happening, and they were different sources....Shankle wayyyy back in 94 ish and C/line maybe 8 or 10 yrs ago.. Not trying to slam any supplier, but apparently each IS different despite the same red color. )
One person flattened out the inner edge of the metal thin 'shim' on top of the rubber, more than a few people have discarded all the spacers, but that's about it.
and Lokki...thanks... I had that thought... but Fiat fronts have 9 loops... Alfa... 7...
I'm concerned about the assembly process.. keeping parts all lined up while compressing a spring that can eat my lunch in a second ( see my right index finger... the part that's remaining... ) is a bit hairy. So, I think I'll cut 4 to 6 cuts into the metal 'shim'... just the vertical part of the inner edge and bend the lip inward maybe 45 degrees, to invite the spring to seat better once installed. No other answers forthcoming, I'm sure there aren't other shims made, don't want to return these springs which are probably going to work just fine once I get them in there.. and hope that Im happy with the height. Im leaving the aluminum shim in, the rubbers and the thin rings... over and out....

 

[Davo1954]

it works...

smooth as budda.... cutting the inner edge made a big difference for fit. Coil fit 'snug', rubber and metal trim at top secured with plastic ties to make the installation MUCH easier, less to juggle. Won't repeat what I'll put on my 77 Spider thread....but I had the right side installed in 30 minutes..onward thru the fog and thanks...

 

[msiert]

My driver's side IAP spring has shifted off center most likely becuse it's not an excate fit to the pan. Think it happen when I went off track asked a mechanic about it and he said it would not affect the handeling.

 

[Alfajay]

called IAP (duh) this morning and talked with their tech guy. Short answer from them is... "that's normal'... the spring will expand out to the 4 inch ID once you get it tucked into the car and it settles in". Thats a serious stretch for a fat thick new spring, but...

So the IAP tech guy said it's "normal" for their parts not to fit? I'd be embarassed to work at a help desk where I was instructed to give answers like that.

I'm glad to hear that you got the spring in by modifying your mounts, but I can't say this story impresses me regarding the quality of IAP's parts nor their tech support. Making an aftermarket coil spring with the same id as the stock spring is NOT rocket science.

 

[Davo1954]

"So, let me get this straight sir, you're bleeding from three "new" holes in your chest and stomach area, you heard a loud 'bang' noise, blood or something "red' in color is streaming out the holes, people are running in all directions and you feel a bit woozy". "Let me ask one of my 'tech' people....please hold."