Spring change

[5pdrman]

I have a '78 124 and want to lower it a bit. I was told to use pre-74 springs and that would do it, but when I talk to parts people, they sell the same spring for all makes and year of 124's. International Auto Parts sells a spring that lowers the front by 1" in the front and 5/8" in the back. I would like a bit more. Any suggestions? I am not sure that I want to take out a quarter of half coil out of the spring to get additional lowering.

Larry

[jfrawley]

Here's 11 pages on this topic. Hope it helps.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... &sk=t&sd=a

[TX82FIAT]

After you review the 11 page post with a ton of good comments and advice. One of the items not discussed previously is the age/strength of the springs/shocks. If you think your car is sitting too high then the springs are most likely in good shape. However, i have seen some folks unhappy when they change shocks and springs because the 30 + year old car was actually raised with the new performance springs. Whatever you do, I think the old post talks about taking 1/2 turn at a time off the spring and that seems like really good advice. A PITA, but good advice. If you have original springs and shocks then it may be wise to consider replacement before alteration.

[spiderrey]

From my experience, the available lowering springs only raise early cars because they are lighter and lower to start with.

[5pdrman]

Thanks for the advice and comments, the 11 pages in the forum were really good. I got the aftermarket wheels and tires and will start cutting the existing springs by one coil all the way around. The wheel wells are 25 5/8" above the floor with the 13 tires/wheels that are on it. I got 15" wheels with 195/55/R15 with the same overall diameter of the stock tire wheel combo.

We will see what it does, but I need to come down 1 3/4" to 2" if I can. More to follow soon.

Larry

[narfire]

I was told the lower A-arm should remain as close to parrallel to the ground as possible, so I never cut the front springs. I had IAP reds with KYB's and took one coil off the rears. Lowered it nicely. I put Koni Yellow shocks on and the rear was now too low so went to uncut IAP reds in the rear and all is fine now. 205/15's

Hoping the guru's might chime in, but if the fronts (springs) are chopped and the A-arm is up on a steeper angle, are you now looking at a re-alignment of the front end???

[RRoller123]

Given how low our oil pans already are, isn't it risky (for street driving) to lower our cars further?