Reinstalling front springs on 1970 124 Spider

[SteveLandry]

After more than a year off the car while dealing with incredible rust issues, I am finally putting the car back together. I had the springs powder coated some time ago, and when trying to put them back, it seems they have grown! The springs are 15 inches unloaded and once compressed and reinstalled they have a significant bow to them which inhibits the shocks from sliding in without interference.

Is this bow something that will go away with use? Without a load on the car, there is virtually no spring 'give' whatsoever. On the other hand, the car is still on the lift.... A jack under the lower A-arm just lifts the car off the lift pads. The springs did compress when I did the final compression to attach the spindle. The springs are installed correctly with regard to the upper and lower end clocking. I just don't recall such a significant bow to the springs up to this point.

The rear springs had no issues. Taking the springs off was not so dramatic, even without an engine and transmission.

Any comments will be appreciated

[djape1977]

is the engine in the car?

[SteveLandry]

No, the car is essentially a shell with the front and rear suspension installed. No doors, either.

[bradartigue]

I don't think I've loaded the body without the shocks. Install the shocks with the springs unloaded, they should center. The shocks hold up the car somewhat.

[djape1977]

i have done exactly the same on my customer's 124, after VERY extensive rust repairs that included new chasis rails and shock towers.
there was a bow in the springs when i re-installed them, but i was able to install the shocks. the car also felt completely stiff, no give in the springs whatsoever.
this was a 1971 euro spec spider. maybe with longer US spec springs this is normal?

[SteveLandry]

This is a US spec car I bought in Columbus, Ga. We took it to Germany when we were deployed there and that is where the car was introduced to rust. Man!

In addition to the bow in the springs, now the Koni shocks (from 1972) are not long enough to bolt the bottom bolt through, being about 3/4 inch short. Or rather, the springs are that much too long

BTW, just for information, the Koni "lifetime" warranty that applied when I put them on the car no longer applies.... Not that I was really surprised, but still..

[vandor]

I would think once you put weight on the suspension the springs will return to normal. With the spring extended the a-arm is at an extreme angle, so the lower and upper spring seats are not parallel. That may be causing the bowing.
Also, is the end on the spring sitting in the proper place in the lower arms?

[djape1977]

it helps to have couple fat guts at hand. load the front, one standing on crossmember and other inside the car maybe...

[SteveLandry]

Yes, that would do it!