Hello,

I am about to install my M7 progressive springs and don't know what end I shoudl have up and what end down on the front springs? Do you place the tighter coils on the bottom or top?

The backs have the tighter coils on the top but I was told to place the fronts with the tighter coils on the bottom.

Can anyone tell me how theirs are on?

TIA,
John

 

Dang, just went out and looked at mine. Couldn't even see the front coils . Sorry. But I love them . I can make a phone call for you if you need me to?

 

they will only properly fit one way; the top & bottom spring diameter and seating area are different... you should be able to figure it out once you have the struts apart...

 

+1. look at the tophats and how the spring mates up and also for the lower perch.

 

Man, I love this site/community. Thanks for the fast replies everyone.

I will give it a shot. Already got the back on and working on the front now.

Thanks again,
John

 

Ya, once you try to put the new spring in you'll see how it goes. If it's upside down then the spring will not be parallel with the shock when one perch is lined up.

 

Yeah, I did get them on and everything is fine, except I have the dreaded vibration during exceleration. From what I have read, this may go away after a while and has to do with the cv joints creating a groove (sweat spot) after riding stock for so long. After the change in angle wit the new springs, it is no longer riding in thatgroove and thus the small vibration.

I will wait a bit to see if it does diminish and then do something if it doesn't. Other than that, love the look and ride.

I'll post pics as soon as I wash the car. Can you believe we actually had rain in So Cal?

 

Vibration? BTW, did you install or already have adj. lower rear control arms?

 

Lower control arms? Not yet, it is next on the list to be done very soon.

 

Yes you will need them to adj. your rear camber, that could be your problem. It should be done whenever you lower a car.

 

Yeah, I was going to wait to install the springs until I ordered/received the lower control arms but I just couldn't wait.

I am researching the lower arms now to see what I should go with. Lot's of opinions out there, just trying to weed through it all.

 

Make sure that you have the car aligned very soon, with or without the adjustable rear control arms. You'd hate to ruin a great set of tires over a bad alignment. You'll need a second alignment anyway after the springs settle, by that time you'll probably have the rear control arms.

ps - I may be crazy, but my M7 springs on stock struts and springs on a 2006 MCS dropped the vehicle almost 3 1/2 inches all the way around!!! If your in Vegas this year, for AMVIV, I'll prove it.

 

I don't know if I got that much, but I certainly got a big drop out of my springs, which is why I got them.

 

Yeah, alignment coming soon as well. I am trying to find a good place to go next week.

As far as the drop, I got a drop of about 1.3" as M7 stated. 3.5" seems like a bit much. I would be suprised if the mini could be dropped that much even.

 

BTW, the vibration is getting better, and I am hoping it will continue to do so as that "wear" spot from riding factory height get's re-worn in the new spot.

Can anyone else chime in on their vibration after installing springs? Particularly ones that lower more than 1"?

Thanks,
John

 

Wow I call B.S. on this one. The stock struts don't have 3.5" of compression travel from stock, only about 2" including full bumpstop compression. Better get your tape measure out again, LOL!

 

BAH!!!

With the M7 drop and these 18" wheels, I am getting too much rubbin' going over any substantial bumps in the road. I also don't like the vibration I have going on. I understand it is supposed to go away eventually, but it just doens't seem right.

So, I am either going back stock or wil take the small drop the TSW springs give a shot. Barely used M7 Springs will be up for sale soon. Too bad, because the dropped look is awesome.

Thanks,
John

 

what size wheels & tires, and what's the offset on your wheels? A dremel fixed most of the rubbing issues on my car...

 

With 18's I think you need to be running 35 series tires, and like cooldaddy said, "whats the offset" on your rims? Also I have had no vibration's at all.

 

I live in the chicagoland area and cannot get into a parking garage without rubbing the center exhaust when teeter-ing over the bumps. I had to cut the bumpstops on the struts so that I didn't look like the $15 honda that heated up the springs for lowered effect - and they bounce all over the road like a bouncing ball. If the car wasn't in storage right now - damn salt and snow - I'd post a pic. On my stock 17" wheels, you can't see any part of the top of the tire when the car sits normally. - Had to roll the inner edge of the body to insure no cutting of the tires.

 

I have the TSW springs due to living in a city that has awful roads (Denver, CO) and I have to say, I love the ride and the clearance is more than enough. No vibes or anything, just good handling and sharp looks. I will always support the move to go with TSW springs.

 

none of this makes any sense, especially the comment about cutting bumpstops to not look like a $15 Honda

 

Well, the bump stops are already cut. And I am running 18 x 7.5 with a 42 offset.

 

my bumpstop comment wasn't meant for you...

18 x 7.5 would be a tight fit but it's not impossible. What tires and size? Some run "bigger" than others. I suggest you check for marks on your tires (rubber slivers) to find where things rub and see if a dremel will work... if you have lots of rub you may still have some of that if you switch to other springs...

 

To be honest, the rubbing isn't the worst part and with a bit of cutting I may be able to remove it, but the vibration is the thing that is bothering me the most.

Here is a post describing it and others that had thesame problem. The solution = raise it back up. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...spring+install

I still have not seen a definate answer to why the vibration occurs on some rather than others. I'll test out the TSW's and if no vibration, then I will probably keep em on. Otherwise, back to stock.