How low before springs become uncaptive?

[steeven001]

Hey everyone I just wanted to know how many inches of drop would it take before the springs to become uncaptive when there is no load on the strut.

Meaning that if you lift the vehicle with the wheels hanging how many inches of drop would cause the springs to become loose once the vehicle is lifted.

Also does anyone know the freelength of the stock springs?

Don't worry I'm not doing anything stupid it's just some information I would like to know for both front and rear.

 

[TurboStreetCar]

stockers wont on stock struts, there longer then the stroke of the strut and are always under some load.

 

[Poodles]

Stockers won't, and I know for a fact bilstein's won't.

Not sure on other brands, but I doubt they will either (unless you chop coils)

On some coilover setups that aren't properly setup yet, the shaft is too long for the short spring and they will unseat if sagged all the way.

Hope the resident suspension expert chimes in on this one...

 

[ValgeKotkas]

My Eibachs matched the Koni's quite exactly IIIRC. (didn't have to compress them when putting on)

 

[Wiisass]

Like others said, it's not going to happen with stock springs on stock struts. They're preloaded from the factory and there is no height adjustment. And like Poodles said, I would guess that most replacement springs are going to be pretty similar.

For the spring to become loose with droop travel depends on the spring length and damper travel. If there is no preload on the spring, it can happen. And it's not always the result of an improperly setup suspension.

I could say more, but I really don't know what else you want to know.