Stacked spring pad danger?

[vbrock1137]

My recently installed vogtland springs dropped the rear of my car too much, so I stacked a 13mm pre-96 spring pad under the stock #3 pad. With this setup the spring looks barely held in the round "cup" on the chassis, like half a coil is actually up in the cup. One whole half of the first coil is lower than the "cup."

My question is, is this safe? I read someone mention being warned that the spring could come out, but they dismissed it. Does this sound like enough of the spring is inside the "cup?"

I guess my options to fix this would be either extending the "cup" (if only I could get my mig welder to work), or purchasing some Vogtland audio springs to raise the rear a little. Does anyone have the Vogtland audio springs?

[BLKc230]

Just purchase a number 5 spring pad for the rear. 10$ a piece from the dealer.

[vbrock1137]

There are only 4 sizes for the rear for 96+. I could only gain 4mm by increasing to a #4, I need around 12mm.

[Superpnoy]

wow 12mm is alot!!! why dont you just get the #4 pads and get your fenders rolled?

[vbrock1137]

No rubbing issues, it just looks bad. With a two finger gap in the front and tires tucked in the rear it looks like I have bodies in my trunk.

[nokia8860]

stacking pads (http://www.club202.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1810&highlight=stacking+pads)

Too bad the pictures dont work. Email the OP to see if he will put he photos back up.

[pnsji]

as long as the top of the spring still tucked inside the "top cup" then it is fine.

[vbrock1137]

Thanks Nokia, that's the thread I was referring to.

Now I have a new problem...realized today the shop that installed my springs on the front didn't seat them into the control arm correctly. Argh...not sure how they're seated in the pads, might need fixin'.

[c_lee]

y not just put on your stock springs and get # 1 pads than???


Originally posted by vbrock1137
Thanks Nokia, that's the thread I was referring to.

Now I have a new problem...realized today the shop that installed my springs on the front didn't seat them into the control arm correctly. Argh...not sure how they're seated in the pads, might need fixin'.

[vbrock1137]

Got the springs more for handling than ride height, definately don't wanna go back to stock handling.

[tpliquid]

i did that and my spring came off when i hit a pot hole at 80mph, crashed the car into the ditch. nah it didnt happen. it might

[KWiK]

Originally posted by vbrock1137
My recently installed vogtland springs dropped the rear of my car too much, so I stacked a 13mm pre-96 spring pad under the stock #3 pad. With this setup the spring looks barely held in the round "cup" on the chassis, like half a coil is actually up in the cup. One whole half of the first coil is lower than the "cup."
Are you sure you ordered the correct springs for your car? The Vogtland catalog says the rear drop should have only been 1"

[vbrock1137]

Originally posted by KWiK
Are you sure you ordered the correct springs for your car? The Vogtland catalog says the rear drop should have only been 1"

Oh yeah, they're the right ones. PN is correct.

[c_lee]

i wouldn't think it be safe to be stacking spring pads....

y don't you just get different springs?

sell your vogtlands


Originally posted by vbrock1137
Oh yeah, they're the right ones. PN is correct.

[vbrock1137]

I could barely afford the vogtlands in the first place, I currently have no money tree.

I'm a poor college student.

[tpliquid]

poor college students shuoldnt be driving benzes in the first place

[vbrock1137]

...I hope you're being sarcastic.

[c_lee]

look bottom line is its most probably not safe to stack springs. someone already replied saying that they did it and the spring popped out.

so you can choose - take the risk and stack it, or live with the car sitting low, or put the stock springs back on.

if you are concerned that the front is too high, than get the lowest spring pads on the front.

if you are concerned about rubbing --- well, unfortunately there is no way around it.

best of luck


Originally posted by vbrock1137
...I hope you're being sarcastic.

[vbrock1137]

i did that and my spring came off when i hit a pot hole at 80mph, crashed the car into the ditch. nah it didnt happen.

tpliquid was joking.

[c_lee]

i'm just saying, if the spring is that far out of the cup, it really can't be safe now can't it....

again, i'm just saying....:D


Originally posted by vbrock1137
tpliquid was joking.

[J Irwan]

There is a safe way of stacking a spring pad.


I have the rear spring pad sandwiched on my car for 4 year now and I have no problem.

I recommended to play with spring pad as the last resort.
For example if you have lowering spring (uncut) and have ICE in the trunk and after the ICE, the rear a little tucked in, then you have no choice but to raise the rear via spring pads....


Also this spring pad sandwiches only works for mid 1996-1999 model -- all cars that use w210 spring pad.


Bottom line, make sure you know what you're doing..
After all it is not just through in pad and stacked them al-together.

There is a right way to do it. ;)


Regardz,