Notices
Brakes & Suspension 350Z stoppers, coils, shocks/dampers

Need help with Helper springs

Old 02-21-2012, 06:36 PM
  #1  
cnz
New Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
cnz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Need help with Helper springs

Hey guys I just purchased some Stance GR Pro+ coil overs with helper springs.. when i got my kit they didn't come with the helper springs so i contacted my dealer and they shipped out the helper springs to me... my question is how do i install the helper springs?
Thanks in advance
Old 02-21-2012, 07:07 PM
  #2  
terrasmak
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (8)
 
terrasmak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sin City
Posts: 28,635
Received 2,283 Likes on 1,645 Posts
Default

Do you need them?
Old 02-22-2012, 09:06 AM
  #3  
ocdz
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
 
ocdz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: central ohio
Posts: 800
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

1.Remove bottom collar from strut assembly.
2.Remove spring perch.
3.Install metal shim between main spring and helper spring.
4.Install Helper spring.
5.Install spring perch.
6.Take note to reinstall with correct pre-load on springs.
7.Install bottom mounting collar on to strut assembly.
8.Done
Old 02-22-2012, 10:30 AM
  #4  
cnz
New Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
cnz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks man i wasn't sure if it was okay to go that route since its my first coilover kit.. how do i figure out the correct pre load or calculate it?
Old 02-22-2012, 10:33 AM
  #5  
Kim@Forged
Registered User
 
Kim@Forged's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Marietta
Posts: 743
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by cnz
Thanks man i wasn't sure if it was okay to go that route since its my first coilover kit.. how do i figure out the correct pre load or calculate it?
If this is your first time using/adjusting coilovers, i would recommend taking it to a shop and have it done. Ask if you can watch, and ask questions as to why they're setting it a certain way. Coilovers are pretty useless if they aren't properly adjusted.
Old 02-22-2012, 12:04 PM
  #6  
terrasmak
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (8)
 
terrasmak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sin City
Posts: 28,635
Received 2,283 Likes on 1,645 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by cnz
Thanks man i wasn't sure if it was okay to go that route since its my first coilover kit.. how do i figure out the correct pre load or calculate it?
That is all part of figuring out if you even need helper springs.
Old 02-22-2012, 12:04 PM
  #7  
Gsedan35
New Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Gsedan35's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Central California
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by cnz
Thanks man i wasn't sure if it was okay to go that route since its my first coilover kit.. how do i figure out the correct pre load or calculate it?
Correct Preload = The minimum amount of tightness required to keep the spring in place should any one wheel become unladen (off the ground).

This is Stance's claim as to why they include the helper springs with the kit.

"The helper spring allows the shock piston to be placed in the optimal position within the shock body, increasing rebound stroke, and maximizing articulation on cars with minimum suspension travel."

It would have to have the stiffness of a tender spring to impact articulation otherwise it will spend 100% of it's life smashed flat living a pointless existence. IMO the real reason it's their is to allow owners to drop the rear of their cars more then would otherwise be possible.
Old 02-22-2012, 08:53 PM
  #8  
cnz
New Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
cnz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thank you guys for all your replies, they were informative
Old 02-23-2012, 06:09 AM
  #9  
ocdz
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
 
ocdz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: central ohio
Posts: 800
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Stance coilovers have essentially no preload. You definitely aren't corner balancing so you do not need to take it somewhere to do this. Maybe Kim is just trying to make an extra few bucks.

Read the stance site faq. They detail the process of having the correct pre-load which just means that the spring is snug against the perches but not applying pressure when there is no load on them.

Edit: I think Stance's explanation is crap of what the helper spring does.
The helper spring essentially gives that strut the ability to extend to its full length when there is no weight on it. This could be the difference between having a wheel on the ground and not which has happened to me before. You can really feel the diff working in this case.

So the helper spring does have a function.

Hope this helps.

Last edited by ocdz; 02-23-2012 at 06:14 AM.
Old 02-23-2012, 06:54 AM
  #10  
terrasmak
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (8)
 
terrasmak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sin City
Posts: 28,635
Received 2,283 Likes on 1,645 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by slow03z
Stance coilovers have essentially no preload. You definitely aren't corner balancing so you do not need to take it somewhere to do this. Maybe Kim is just trying to make an extra few bucks.



So the helper spring does have a function.

Hope this helps.
Do you even know what corner balancing is ?

Yes they have a function, they keep the main spring from becoming unseated under full damper extention. That is it. If your main spring is fully extended and you have tension on just the helper, you have only a couple pounds on the ground, nothing that will help with traction.
Old 02-24-2012, 06:22 AM
  #11  
jsan2007
Registered User
 
jsan2007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: usa
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

This is Stance's claim as to why they include the helper springs with the kit.
Old 02-24-2012, 07:10 AM
  #12  
Gsedan35
New Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Gsedan35's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Central California
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jsan2007
This is Stance's claim as to why they include the helper springs with the kit.
Read post #7
Old 02-24-2012, 03:37 PM
  #13  
suprasam
Registered User
 
suprasam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ATL, FT Benning, North Cak
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by slow03z
Maybe Kim is just trying to make an extra few bucks.
Because you can totally mail order a suspension install.
Old 02-25-2012, 05:44 PM
  #14  
ocdz
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
 
ocdz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: central ohio
Posts: 800
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by terrasmak
Do you even know what corner balancing is ?

Yes they have a function, they keep the main spring from becoming unseated under full damper extention. That is it. If your main spring is fully extended and you have tension on just the helper, you have only a couple pounds on the ground, nothing that will help with traction.
yes, i do.

you must have misinterpreted what I said. I did not say that the helper spring gives any pressure but rather that it allows the damper to reach full extension. I've been in a situation where one rear wheel was no on the ground. that was all that was meant.


Suprasam:
I'm sure no one has ever driven from Texas to Georgia. So yea him getting a corner balance from forged is a totally ridiculous statement.

Last edited by ocdz; 02-25-2012 at 05:47 PM.
Old 02-25-2012, 06:23 PM
  #15  
terrasmak
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (8)
 
terrasmak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sin City
Posts: 28,635
Received 2,283 Likes on 1,645 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by slow03z
yes, i do.

you must have misinterpreted what I said. I did not say that the helper spring gives any pressure but rather that it allows the damper to reach full extension. I've been in a situation where one rear wheel was no on the ground. that was all that was meant.

With or without a helper spring the damper will reach full extention, your unsprung weight will extend the damper a lot faster than a helper spring will. Helper springs have little tension, you can almost fully collapse them between your hands.

http://www.paragon-products.com/Hype.../cs100-2.5.htm

http://www.swiftsprings.net/products...t_springs.html

Both have some good info for you.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Lt_Ballzacki
Brakes & Suspension
39
08-06-2021 06:19 AM
MM'08_350Z
VQ35HR
225
04-22-2021 09:42 PM
Rowlett
Misc.
3
10-02-2015 10:38 AM
EnjukuRacing
Engine
0
09-30-2015 06:55 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Need help with Helper springs



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:55 AM.