Spring replacement 4kq Results

[Wolff <quattro200@earthlink.net>]

Patient is a 1986 4kq with sagging rear springs. I mean really sagging
rears. Note that I had put Bilsteins in the front only about 6 months
ago which raised the front a little bit. Did I mention the rears were
sagging? Looked like I had a load of bricks back there. The stock rear
springs had a yellow and an orange stripe paint code.

Eibach springs are not easily obtainable for the 4kq, though you can
find them used. H&R can be found easily, so that's what I went with. I
found a note on the packing slip stating that the springs with the
yellow paint go on the rear and the ones with the blue go on front. Glad
I found that because I couldn't tell by the length.

I put matching Bilstein yellows on the back. Once you see the size of
the shaft on those suckers, you'll understand why they are so good. (get
your mind out of the gutter dam-nit)

Luckily, I have a friend who has this trick spring compressor I
borrowed. It has four jaws that close up when you turn one bolt. Next
time I'll have a powered wrench to use on that bolt. I recommend this
contraption if you can find one.

The car already had the blue ur-q strut bearings in the rear. I put new
blue ones all the way around. The blue ones are made out of firmer
rubber, or possibly the internal frame is different as you cannot fold
the top edge over as easily with your finger as the stock 4kq ones
(front ones anyway).

Results:	Before		After	Change
Front		13-7/8"		13"	7/8" lower
Rear		12"		12"	0
(Measured from axle center to lower edge of fender.)

The car did not drop as much as I expected, but that's OK. It looks
level now. The ride is also not as firm as I expected, but again that's
ok. Noticeably more level in turns, and less understeer. I actually got
the rear to kick out this morning on wet pavement.

That's it for now. Next time: 15x7 R-8's
Wolff