Donor Spring : how to attach to lower control arm?

[jakester888]

Using the donor spring and lower control arm on a MkIV build.

It appears to me that the spring just "sits" on top of the lower control arm spring perch area - with no attachment or bolt. This doesn't seem right.

For you donor builds out there : how did you attach your spring to the lower control arm / spring perch?

Thanks, John.

17026

[Mustang Man]

Um, that's how it sits in the donor as well...

The spring will be captured between the control arm and the spring adjuster on the chassis. There's nothing to secure it to the arm...

HTH...
Mark

[CraigS]

When I had that setup on my MkI I dreaded working on it to adjust the ride height. The spring is well captured. I always removed the bolt that connects the rear of the lower control arm to the axle, w/ a jack under the arm, and let the end of the arm drop maybe two inches before the spring was loose enough to be rotated. But the axle moved about an inch to the rear and had to be pulled forward w/ a ratchet strap to get the bolt back in.

[Norm B]

Hi.
As Mark already said that's how it is on the donor. Just thread it down so it is firmly in the lower seat. The travel limiting cables will stop the axle from moving down far enough to release the spring. Here is a picture of mine. Sorry about the dust, I am trying to do body work!
Norm

[jakester888]

When I had that setup on my MkI I dreaded working on it to adjust the ride height. The spring is well captured. I always removed the bolt that connects the rear of the lower control arm to the axle, w/ a jack under the arm, and let the end of the arm drop maybe two inches before the spring was loose enough to be rotated. But the axle moved about an inch to the rear and had to be pulled forward w/ a ratchet strap to get the bolt back in.

I did this Sunday - used 2 jacks and a ratchet strap to re position the hole. How many springs below top did you crank down on the ride height adjuster thing?

[Dan Babb]

Keep an eye on the parts for sale section for some coil-overs. After a short time with the donor springs, you will want to change them. I did on my first car (mk1.5)

I wasnt happy with how it felt and the lack of easy ride height adjustments.

[jakester888]

Hi.
As Mark already said that's how it is on the donor. Just thread it down so it is firmly in the lower seat. The travel limiting cables will stop the axle from moving down far enough to release the spring. Here is a picture of mine. Sorry about the dust, I am trying to do body work!
Norm

Norm, is this some kind of spring clamp? Did you make it? Where can I get this?

17193

[Norm B]

I made the clamp after reading on the forum about the springs turning on the perch. I used a 1/2 inch cable clamp, a couple of bolts and a piece of 1/4 aluminum. I drilled holes through the perch, fed the bolts through from the inside and spot welded them with my mig welder.
Sounds like I wasted about 2 hours if the springs are as hard to turn as GraigS said. Can't see them turning during normal use if you have to disassemble the suspension to adjust the ride height.
Norm

[lilnuke]

On my MKII, I built the complete donor. The ride height adjustment in the rear was always a pain. They may not look like they will rotate, but the springs will and your ride height will slowly drop over time. You have to find the right spot to set the springs and then make some sort of holder or stop to keep the spring from moving once you find the ride height you want. After some trial and error, I finally found the right spot to set the springs. I then drilled a hole in the perch at the end of the spring coil and installed a bolt to keep the spring from moving.

17193

I like this idea, looks like a cable clamp with a couple of bolts feed through the spring perch. Set the spring, clamp, and you are done. Simple.

[jakester888]

lilnuke, Norm : can you give me a recommended ride height to start? I did cut one complete ring from the spring as the FFR manual instructs.

How far down did you guys end up adjusting the spring perch - in terms of # revs or rings from the top? Mine is all the way to the top at this moment.

[Norm B]

Jakester.
No idea what would work for initial setting as I am still in the build stage. I plan to set up with the same loading on the springs as the donor had at max droop. By my estimate the weight on the rear of the mustang and roaster are about the same. My donor had about 2 to 3 inches of spring compression on the springs at max droop. I plan to turn the springs down until they are firmly in the lower seat and then turn them down another 3 inches and start there for ride height.
Norm